Recent in Baby
When Baby Resists SolidsWhen Baby Resists SolidsBaby Biting TipsBaby Biting Tips5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair Injuries5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair InjuriesWhen Baby and Pet MeetWhen Baby and Pet MeetTreatments for ColicTreatments for ColicBaby Milestones – The First YearBaby Milestones – The First YearTips for Relieving Teething PainTips for Relieving Teething PainBenefits of Making Your Own Baby FoodBenefits of Making Your Own Baby Food

Home › Baby Names Directory › Janni

Janni

♀ Girl

Pronounced JAN-ee /ˈdʒæn.i/High

Meaning: Janni is a short pet form of Jane, Janet or Janice — all from John, Hebrew Yochanan, 'God is gracious'. In Scandinavia and the Netherlands Janni is an established diminutive in its own right.Low

In 30 seconds: A friendly two-beat nickname turned name: Janni comes from Jane and John, 'God is gracious' (said 'JAN-ee').
💕 Browse more names
Origin LowEnglish, Scandinavian
MeaningJanni is a short pet form of Jane, Janet or Janice — all from John, Hebrew Yochanan, 'God is gracious'. In Scandinavia and the Netherlands Janni is an established diminutive in its own right.
U.S. rank (2024)#14162 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1957
Total births (all-time)≈ 49

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202419572024

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

Janni is a pet form of the Jane/Janet/Johanna family, whose root is John — Hebrew Yochanan, 'God is gracious'. In Scandinavia and the Low Countries it has stood as a given name for generations; in the U.S. it reads as a cheerful nickname-name (said 'JAN-ee').

It appears only rarely for girls in the U.S. Rare, short, and warm.

Did you know? In Denmark and the Netherlands, Janni has long stood on its own as a given name — a homey diminutive of Jane and Johanna, both from John, 'God is gracious' (said 'JAN-ee').
Overall data confidence 50%
References — Janni — Pet form of Jane/Janet/Johanna; Scandinavian and Dutch use

Variations

JanieJannieJani

Nicknames

JanNini

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Janni…

Janie— a near-twin pet form of Jane
Johanna— the fuller name behind Janni
Jenny— a like nickname-name of the same root
Janet— a classic Jane form Janni shortens

Explore names like Janni

By themeshortvintagenickname-namebiblical-root

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Janni mean?

Janni is a pet form of Jane, Janet or Johanna — all from John, Hebrew Yochanan, 'God is gracious'.

How do you pronounce Janni?

It's said JAN-ee /ˈdʒæn.i/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Janni a boy or girl name?

Janni is used as a girl's name; in some Scandinavian settings a similar form is heard for boys.

How popular is Janni?

Janni is a rare name for girls in the U.S.

💬 Ask Nia