Janet

Janet meaning

Janet is a Christian girl's name of Hebrew origin (via French and English).

Diminutive of Jane (John): Jehovah-favoured

Also used to mean: God is gracious, little Jane

Janet began as a pet form of Jane, made with the Old French diminutive ending -et, as the Online Etymology Dictionary notes; it was especially popular in Scotland. Jane is the feminine of John, which goes back through Greek Iōannēs to the Hebrew Yehochanan. Strong's Concordance (H3076) explains that name as "Jehovah-favoured", built from the divine name and chanan, "to show favour", so Janet shares the gloss "God is gracious". In India it is used in Christian families.

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890), Hebrew and Chaldee Dictionary, G2491 (from H3110, H3076) · entry Yehowchanan · See the entry · checked 25 Oct 2026

References: Online Etymology Dictionary, Janet · Strong's H3076, Yehochanan (Bible Hub)

Famous namesakes

• Janet Jackson, American singer

Spellings

Janet · Janette · Jannet

Related names

Also meaning grace

Also starting with Jan-

More names of Hebrew origin

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