Janaiah is a unique and beautiful name of Hebrew origin, meaning "Yahweh is gracious." It is derived from the Hebrew name Yahna, which itself is composed of two elements: Yah, meaning "Yahweh" or "God," and na, signifying "gracious" or "graceful."
The name Janaiah first appears in the Old Testament of the Bible, where it is used as a variant spelling of the name Johanaiah. Johanaiah was a priest during the reign of King Josiah of Judah, serving at the time when the Book of the Law was discovered by Hilkiah, the high priest.
The use of Janaiah continued among Jewish communities throughout history, and today it is occasionally used as a given name for both boys and girls. However, its rarity makes it a distinctive choice for parents seeking an unusual yet meaningful name for their child.
In summary, Janaiah is a Hebrew name that signifies divine grace. With its biblical origins and unique sound, it offers a wonderful opportunity for parents to bestow upon their child a name rich in history and meaning.
The name Janaiah has seen varied popularity over the years in the United States, with a total of 161 babies given this name between 1999 and 2021.
From 1999 to 2005, there was an average of about 7 births per year. The lowest point was in 1999 with only 6 births, while the highest during this period was in 2004 with 10 births.
Starting from 2006, there was a noticeable increase in the number of babies named Janaiah. In fact, between 2006 and 2008, there were more than 10 births each year: 14 in 2007 and 13 in 2008. This trend continued until 2010 with another peak of 9 births.
However, from 2011 onwards, the popularity of the name began to decline again, with an average of about 7 births per year. The most recent data shows that there were 7 Janaiah babies born in both 2018 and 2021.
Despite fluctuations over time, it's clear that Janaiah remains a unique and less commonly used name, making it stand out among other names chosen for newborns in the United States during this period.