Janea
A feminine variant of Jane, ultimately derived from Hebrew meaning "God is gracious".
Name Census estimates that about 1,940 living Americans carry the first name Janea. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Janea today is around 31 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Janea births was 1993 (76 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Janea. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
1.9K
~ 1 in 176,677 Americans
Peak year
1993
76 babies that year
Average age
31
years old
2024 SSA rank
#8,636
Tracked since 1953
Popularity
Janea: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Janea from the 1950s through to the 2020s, spanning 8 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1990s, with 620 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1990s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Janea by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Janea during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Janeas live
The SSA's state-level files cover 13 states and territories. California, New York, Texas recorded the most babies named Janea, while Maryland, Louisiana, Georgia recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 34 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Janea
The name Janea is a unique and intriguing moniker with a rich history spanning several cultures and time periods. Its origins can be traced back to the ancient Greek language, where it was derived from the word "Ianeira," meaning "healer" or "one who soothes." This name was often associated with the goddess Hera, the protector of women and childbirth.
In the early Christian era, the name Janea gained popularity among believers who sought to honor the Virgin Mary, whose name in Greek was "Ioannes." This name was a feminine variation of the name John, which itself derived from the Hebrew name Yohanan, meaning "Yahweh is gracious." As a result, Janea became a popular choice for newborn daughters in various regions influenced by the Byzantine Empire.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Janea comes from the 6th century, when a Byzantine noblewoman named Janea of Constantinople was renowned for her philanthropic efforts and her role in supporting the construction of several churches and monasteries. Her legacy helped to further cement the name's association with piety and devotion.
Throughout the Middle Ages, the name Janea continued to be used across Europe, particularly in regions with strong Greek or Slavic cultural influences. Notable historical figures bearing this name include Janea of Khutyn, a 12th-century Russian princess and patron of the arts, and Janea of Trebizond, a 14th-century Byzantine princess renowned for her diplomatic skills.
During the Renaissance period, the name Janea gained popularity in Italy, where it was often spelled as "Gianea." One of the most famous bearers of this name was Gianea de' Medici, a 15th-century Italian noblewoman and patron of the arts, who was known for her support of the renowned sculptor Donatello.
In more recent times, the name Janea has been used across various cultures and regions, although its prevalence has waned somewhat. Notable figures include Janea Dariaunah Slaughter, an American activist and advocate for criminal justice reform, and Janea Michelle Coria, a Mexican-American professional wrestler better known by her ring name Janea.
While the name Janea may not be as common in modern times, its rich history and diverse cultural influences make it a unique and meaningful choice for parents seeking a name with deep roots and a strong sense of identity.
People
Janea + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Janea as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with J
Other first names starting with J with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Janea: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Janea?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 1,940 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Janea going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 176,677 US residents.
Is Janea a common name?
We classify Janea as "Rare". It ranks above 93.6% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 2,022 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Janea most popular?
The single biggest year for Janea was 1993, when 76 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Janea is about 31 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Janea a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Janea in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.