Janita
A feminine name of Latin origin meaning "young" or "youthful".
Name Census estimates that about 1,485 living Americans carry the first name Janita. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Janita today is around 47 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Janita births was 1963 (57 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Janita. 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
1.5K
~ 1 in 230,811 Americans
Peak year
1963
57 babies that year
Average age
47
years old
2024 SSA rank
#11,505
Tracked since 1915
Popularity
Janita: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Janita from the 1910s through to the 2020s, spanning 12 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1980s, with 356 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1980s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Janita 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 Janita during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Janitas live
The SSA's state-level files cover 8 states and territories. Pennsylvania, Texas, Ohio recorded the most babies named Janita, while Florida, California, North Carolina recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 15 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Janita
The name Janita originates from the Sanskrit language, with its roots tracing back to ancient India. It is believed to have derived from the word "jani," which means "born" or "given birth to." This etymological connection suggests that the name may have been bestowed upon newborn children, celebrating the precious gift of life.
In Hindu mythology, the name Janita finds resonance with the goddess Janaki, an avatar of the divine consort Sita. This association lends a spiritual significance to the name, symbolizing purity, devotion, and strength of character. However, it is crucial to note that the name's origins predate these mythological references, making its usage more widespread across various cultures and regions of the Indian subcontinent.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Janita can be traced back to the 7th century CE. It was borne by Janita, a renowned Sanskrit scholar and grammarian who made significant contributions to the study of the ancient language. Her treatises and commentaries on grammatical works have stood the test of time, solidifying her place in the annals of Indian literary history.
Throughout the centuries, the name Janita has been carried by numerous notable figures across various fields. In the 12th century, Janita Devi was a prominent Rajput queen renowned for her courage and diplomatic prowess. Her skillful negotiations helped maintain peace and stability in her kingdom during a tumultuous period.
During the Mughal era, Janita Begum was a celebrated poet and courtesan who graced the court of Emperor Akbar. Her poetic works, imbued with spiritual depth and literary finesse, have been preserved and studied by scholars of that era.
In more recent times, Janita Gandhi (1917-1986) was an influential Indian freedom fighter and social activist. She played a pivotal role in India's struggle for independence, working alongside Mahatma Gandhi and advocating for women's rights and education.
Another notable figure was Janita Majumdar (1923-2011), a pioneering Indian scientist and biochemist. Her groundbreaking research on plant biochemistry and photosynthesis earned her numerous accolades, including the prestigious Padma Bhushan, one of India's highest civilian honors.
These are just a few examples of the diverse individuals who have borne the name Janita throughout history, each leaving an indelible mark on their respective fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of cultural heritage.
People
Janita + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Janita 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
Janita: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Janita?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 1,485 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Janita 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 230,811 US residents.
Is Janita a common name?
We classify Janita as "Rare". It ranks above 92.4% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 1,831 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Janita most popular?
The single biggest year for Janita was 1963, when 57 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Janita is about 47 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Janita a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Janita 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.