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Home › Baby Names Directory › Janissa

Janissa

♀ Girl

Pronounced juh-NISS-ah /dʒəˈnɪs.ə/Medium

Meaning: A modern coinage joining Jan (from Jane, 'God is gracious') with the -issa ending of Marissa/Janessa. Overall its route is uncertain, which we note.Low

In 30 seconds: A soft modern coinage: Janissa echoes Janessa and Marissa (said 'juh-NISS-ah'). Routes are uncertain, which we note.
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Origin LowAmerican
MeaningA modern coinage joining Jan (from Jane, 'God is gracious') with the -issa ending of Marissa/Janessa. Overall its route is uncertain, which we note.
U.S. rank (2023)#12688 ↘ Falling
2023 U.S. births7 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1994
Total births (all-time)≈ 514

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 199419772023

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

Janissa reads as a modern coinage, pairing Jan with an -issa ending. By the Jane route it touches 'God is gracious,' though overall its route is uncertain, which we note - soft and very rare in the U.S. (said 'juh-NISS-ah').

It appears only recently and very rarely. Rare, soft, and modern.

Did you know? Janissa joins Jan (from Jane, 'God is gracious') with the -issa ending of Marissa - so it carries sound over a settled meaning; routes uncertain, which we note (said 'juh-NISS-ah').
Overall data confidence 30%
References - Janissa — coinage; Jan + -issa; uncertain

Variations

JanessaJanisaJenissa

Nicknames

JanNissa

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Janissa…

Janessa— a like Janessa name
Marissa— a like -issa name
Nerissa— a like -issa name
Clarissa— a like -issa name

Explore names like Janissa

By themeuncertainmoderncoinagesoft

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Janissa mean?

Janissa is a modern coinage joining Jan (from Jane, 'God is gracious') with an -issa ending; overall its route is uncertain, which we note.

How do you pronounce Janissa?

It's said juh-NISS-ah /dʒəˈnɪs.ə/ - three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Janissa a boy or girl name?

Janissa is a girl's name.

How popular is Janissa?

Janissa is an extremely rare, recent name in the U.S.

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