Janet
/ˈdʒænɪt/noun
A female given name, originally a medieval diminutive of Jane.
Did you know?Janet ultimately comes from the same Hebrew source as John, meaning “God is gracious,” and in medieval English it was formed as a pet name from Jane.
Etymological Timeline
Hebrew Antiquity
Heb
Yôḥānān
““Yahweh is gracious” or “God is gracious.””
Greek Antiquity
Grk
Iōánnēs
“Greek form of the Hebrew name.”
Latin Antiquity
Lat
Iohannes
“Latin form used in Christian Europe.”
Medieval French
OF
Jehanne / Jehan
“Female and male forms that influenced English naming.”
Middle English
Eng
Janet
“A diminutive form of Jane, used as a feminine given name.”
Modern English
Eng
Janet
“A common female given name.”