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Home › Baby Names Directory › Janisa

Janisa

♀ Girl

Pronounced juh-NEE-suh /dʒəˈniː.sə/Medium

Meaning: Janisa is a modern elaboration of Janice, which is itself an extended form of Jane, from the Hebrew for 'God is gracious.' Adding the -isa ending gives the mid-century Janice a softer, more flowing shape.Low

In 30 seconds: Janisa elaborates Janice, from Jane, 'God is gracious.' It stayed rare, peaking in the early nineteen-nineties (said juh-NEE-suh).
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Origin LowEnglish
MeaningJanisa is a modern elaboration of Janice, which is itself an extended form of Jane, from the Hebrew for 'God is gracious.' Adding the -isa ending gives the mid-century Janice a softer, more flowing shape.
U.S. rank (2021)#10620 ↗ Rising
2021 U.S. births9 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1993
Total births (all-time)≈ 350

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 199319812021

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Janisa extends Janice, a name grown from Jane and its meaning 'God is gracious.' The -isa ending places it among late-century American girls' names that reworked familiar bases into fresh, melodic forms. Its meaning stays anchored in the gracious sense of Jane and Joan.

Janisa was never common, given to only about twenty girls a year at its peak around 1993, and it stayed a rare choice. A girl named Janisa then is in her thirties today.

Did you know? Janice, the base name behind Janisa, was coined for the heroine of a popular 1899 American novel before it became a mid-century favorite in its own right.
Overall data confidence 40%
References - Janisa — Elaboration of Janice; from Jane 'God is gracious'

Variations

JaniceJanissaJanisha

Nicknames

JanNisa

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Janisa…

Janice— the base name Janisa elaborates
Janessa— a close cousin in build and sound
Janisha— shares the Jan- opening and -a ending
Denisa— a like flowing -isa girl's name

Explore names like Janisa

By thememodernrareenglishelaboration

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Janisa mean?

It is an elaboration of Janice, which grows from Jane, 'God is gracious.'

How do you pronounce Janisa?

It is said juh-NEE-suh /dʒəˈniː.sə/, three syllables with the stress on the second.

Is Janisa a boy or girl name?

Janisa is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Janisa?

It has always been rare, given to only about twenty girls a year at its peak in the early nineteen-nineties.

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