Janette is a feminine given name of French origin. It is a diminutive form of the name Jane, which itself comes from the Hebrew name Jehhananah meaning "God is gracious." Therefore, Janette can be interpreted to mean "God is gracious" as well.
The name Janette has been used in France and other French-speaking countries for many centuries. It gained popularity during the Middle Ages when it was often given to girls born into noble families. The name also appears frequently in French literature of that time period, further contributing to its popularity.
In English-speaking countries, Janette began to be used more commonly during the Victorian era in the 19th century. It has since been a popular choice for parents looking for a unique yet feminine name with a touch of vintage charm.
Some notable figures bearing the name Janette include Canadian actress Janette Oke, known for her role as Laura Ingalls Wilder in the television series "Little House on the Prairie," and French painter Janette Louise (1854-1936), who was famous for her portraits and landscapes.
The given statistics provide insights into the popularity of the name Janette in the United States from 1880 to 2023.
In the late 19th century, the number of births with the name Janette fluctuated between 6 and 20 per year. The name's peak popularity during this period occurred in 1892 with 20 births.
The early 20th century saw a steady increase in Janette's popularity, with the highest number of births reaching 77 in 1914. This trend continued through the 1920s and 1930s, peaking at 318 births in 1940.
Janette's popularity peaked during the post-World War II baby boom era, with a record-high of 599 births in 1951. This period also marked the name's most consistent popularity, with Janette ranking among the top 1000 names for nearly two decades.
However, starting from the mid-1960s, Janette's popularity began to decline steadily. By the late 1970s and early 1980s, the number of births with the name Janette dropped below 350 per year. This downward trend continued throughout the rest of the century.
In recent years, Janette has become quite rare, with fewer than 50 births annually since 2014. In 2020 and 2021, there were only 27 and 32 births respectively with the name Janette in the United States.
Overall, while Janette was a moderately popular name in the past, its popularity has significantly declined over time. As of 2022, it is one of the least commonly used names in the country.