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 › Jeanette

Jeanette

♀ Girl

Pronounced shah-NEHT /d͡ʒə.ˈnɛt/High

Meaning: Yahweh is graciousHigh

In 30 seconds: Jeanette is a French name meaning 'Yahweh is gracious', a graceful diminutive of Jeanne.
💕 Browse more names
Origin HighFrench, English, Danish
MeaningYahweh is gracious
U.S. rank (2025)#2391 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births75 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1939
Total births (all-time)≈ 163,440

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 193918802025

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

Jeanette is a French form built from Jeanne, carrying the meaning 'Yahweh is gracious'. The little -ette ending marks it as an affectionate diminutive, which became a full given name in its own right. It was borne by the singer and actress Jeanette MacDonald.

Its variations circle the same French root: Janine, Jeanine, Jeannette, Jeannie and Jeannine, each a slightly different take on Jeanne. Jeanette sits in the middle, polished and unmistakably French.

Did you know? Jeanette is a spelling variant of Jeannette, so it keeps the same core meaning of ' Yahweh is gracious' while changing the visual style.
Overall data confidence 86%
Behind the Name - Jeanette — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

JanineJeanineJeannetteJeannieJeannine

Nicknames

—

Famous Bearers

  • ★Jeanette MacDonald (1903–1965)
    Female public figure listed on Behind the Name.
  • ★Jeanette Nolan (1911–1998)
    Female public figure listed on Behind the Name.

If you like Jeanette…

Josette— another French name
Scarlette— lands in the same popularity range
Annette— lands in the same popularity range
Paulette— shares the -te ending
Yvette— a fellow English choice

Explore names like Jeanette

By themeenglishfrench
By meaningGod / DivineGrace

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Jeanette mean?

Jeanette is usually explained as meaning ' Yahweh is gracious' and is most often linked with French tradition.

How do you pronounce Jeanette?

It's commonly said shah-NEHT /d͡ʒə.ˈnɛt/.

Is Jeanette a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Jeanette is used as a girl name.

How popular is Jeanette?

In 2024, Jeanette ranked #2778 in the U.S. for girls, with 61 births recorded.

💬 Ask Nia