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Home › Baby Names Directory › January

January

♀ Girl

Pronounced JAN-yoo-air-ee /ˈdʒæn.juˌɛr.i/High

Meaning: From the month January — named for the Roman god Janus, god of doorways, beginnings, and transitions; a month/word-name; we note the deity linkLow

In 30 seconds: The month of January; of Janus: January is a month-name. Lyrical, modern, and warm.
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Origin LowLatin, English
MeaningFrom the month January — named for the Roman god Janus, god of doorways, beginnings, and transitions; a month/word-name; we note the deity link
U.S. rank (2024)#9165 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births11 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1978
Total births (all-time)≈ 2,160

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 197819512024

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

January comes from the month January — named for the Roman god Janus, god of doorways, beginnings, and transitions; a month/word-name (we note the deity link). A lyrical, modern name (said 'JAN-yoo-air-ee').

In the U.S. it appears as a modern month name. Rare, the-month-of-January at the root, and lyrical.

Did you know? January is named for the Roman god Janus, god of doorways and beginnings — a lyrical month/word-name (we note the deity link; said 'JAN-yoo-air-ee').
Overall data confidence 34%
References — January — month/word-name; deity link

Variations

JanauryJanuari

Nicknames

Jan

Famous Bearers

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If you like January…

June— a fellow month girls' name
Autumn— a sound-neighbor season word-name
Summer— a companion season word-name
Winter— a kin season word-name

Explore names like January

By themeenglishlatinword-namemonth-name
By meaningGod / Divine

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Frequently Asked

What does the name January mean?

January is the month named for the Roman god Janus (god of doorways and beginnings). We note the deity link.

How do you pronounce January?

It's said JAN-yoo-air-ee /daen.jur.i/ — four syllables, stress on the first.

Is January a boy or girl name?

January is a girl's name (used for both sexes in some families).

How popular is January?

January is a very rare name in the U.S.

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