Janine

Meaning of Janine

Janine is a feminine name of French origin, functioning as a diminutive of Jeanne (the female form of Jean, French for John) and ultimately tracing back to the Hebrew Yochanan, “God is gracious.” In English it is pronounced juh-NEEN. Statistically, Janine saw its greatest use in the United States during the 1960s and 1970s—peaking at rank 272 in 1970—before a gradual descent to 930th with 20 recorded births in 2024. This long-term trajectory illustrates a shift from mid-century mainstream choice to contemporary rarity, making Janine a name that balances classical, religious heritage with understated distinctiveness. Barring a retro-nostalgia revival, it is unlikely to reenter the top 500, a reality that may appeal to parents seeking historical depth without ubiquity.