Janak

Janak meaning

Janak (जनक) is a Hindu boy's name of Sanskrit origin.

Generating; a father; name of the king of Videha, father of Sītā

Also used to mean: creator

Janak (जनक) is Sanskrit janaka, from the root jan, "to be born, to produce". Monier-Williams gives it as an adjective, generating or producing, and as a noun, a progenitor or father. It is also the name of the kings of Videha, whose capital was Mithilā, above all Janaka, the father of Sītā in the Rāmāyaṇa, who appears in the Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad as a learned king questioning the sage Yājñavalkya. Name lists give "father" and "creator", which match. Sita's name Janaki, "daughter of Janaka", comes from the same word.

Source: Monier-Williams, Sanskrit–English Dictionary (1899), p. 410 · entry janaka · See the entry · checked 25 Oct 2026

References: Monier-Williams, janaka, p. 410 · Wikipedia, Janaka

Famous namesakes

• Janaka, king of Videha and father of Sita in the Ramayana

Fits your syllable

First sound ज

Uttara Ashadha nakshatra, pada 3 · Makar rashi

This exact sound isn't in the table; the closest is जा, which differs only in vowel length. North Indian table. Tables vary by region and family tradition, so confirm with your priest.

Spellings

Janak · Janaka

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