Jana

Jana is a Slavic variant of Johanna and simultaneously the feminine form of the name Jan. Its meaning is 'God is gracious' and it is derived from the Latin and biblical name Johannes.

What does the name Jana mean?

The name Jana is a Slavic derivation of Johanna as well as the feminine form of Jan and means 'God is gracious'. This meaning has its origin in the Latin and biblical name Johannes, which also traces back to the Hebrew name Jochanan. This consists of the ancient Hebrew components jô for 'God' and ḥnn for 'to be gracious to someone'. Jana is also used as a short form of names ending in -jana or -ana, such as Marjana, Adriana, Christiana, or Juliana. The diminutive forms of Jana include Janina, Janine, and Janin. Additionally, variants exist such as Janna and Janne (Frisian), Jonna (Danish, Norwegian), Jaana (Finnish), Jane (English), Janica (Serbian, Croatian), Janika (Bulgarian, Hungarian), Janka (Polish, Czech, Hungarian), and Yana (Russian, Ukrainian). In Germany, the name was largely unknown until the 1970s, but it has gained increasing popularity since the 1980s and has been among the most common girls' names since the turn of the millennium.

Where does the name Jana come from?

The origin of the name Jana as the feminine form of Johann/Johannes goes back to the Greek name Ioannes, which in turn is derived from the Hebrew name Jochanan. This name includes the ancient Hebrew elements 'jô' for 'God' and 'ḥnn' for 'to be gracious to someone'.

How do you pronounce Jana?

The pronunciation of the name Jana is clear and two-syllable. In German phonetics, it is usually pronounced as 'Ja-na' [ˈjaːna], starting with a long, open 'a' that conveys a certain spaciousness. The open ending syllable provides a harmonious sound. Jana has a timeless, friendly character and appears simple, modern, and present.

When is the name day of Jana?

The name day of Jana is celebrated on May 16, June 24, and December 27.

Popularity

Jana is among the popular girls' names in Germany. Currently, it ranks 107th on the list of the most common female baby names. Its best placement was in 1995 when it reached fourth place. In the last ten years, Jana has been given as a first name approximately 10,100 times, placing it 76th in the ten-year statistics. From 2010 to 2024, it ranks 61st.

Nicknames & pet names

Ana / Djänna / Gaga / Gaga jaga / Ginny / Jabbel / Jade / Jadie / Jaena / Jaja / Jalie / Jamal / Jana Banana / Jana Montana / Janabanana / Janachen / Janaja / Janaklar / Janalein / Janali / Janalie / Janalini / Janalische / Janamon / Jananas / Jananz / Janapeno / Janatschka / Janca / Janchables / Janchen / Jane / Janeen / Janfried / Jani / Janiane / JaniBanani / Janibohne / Janica / Janika / Janilein / Janileinn / Janimo / Janinski / Janjan / Janka / Janli / Janmann / Janna / Janne / Jannemann / Janni / Jannimann / Jano / Janochka / Janor / Janosch / Janoschka / Janoula / Jansch / Janscha / Janschgi / Janschi / Janschka / Janschki / Janska / Jansl / Janulja / Janusch / Januschka / Janutschka / Janya / Jas / Jasi / Jay / Jay-JaY / Jenna / Jey / Juna / June / Jänü / Nana / Tschana / Tschani

Similar first names

Janna, Yana

Famous people

• Jana Bach (American actress)
• Jana Beller (model)
• Jana Bieger (German-American gymnast)
• Jana Bode (former luge athlete)
• Jana Budajova (ice hockey player from the Czech Republic)
• Jana Burmeister (football player)
• Jana Ditetova (actress from the Czech Republic)
• Jana Eberle (French table tennis player)
• Jana Franziska Poll (volleyball player from Germany)
• Jana Frey (German youth novel author)
• Jana Haas (German writer)
• Jana Heczkova-Madajova (Slovak long-distance runner)
• Jana Herzen (musician from the USA)
• Jana Highholder (Christian influencer)
• Jana Hora (actress)
• Jana Ina (beauty queen, presenter)
• Jana Ina Zarrella (singer)
• Jana Jae (American musician)
• Jana Jeruma-Grinberga (bishop from Great Britain)
• Jana Jordan (American model)