Surname Janis - Meaning and Origin
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Janis: What does the surname Janis mean?
The last name Janis is a variation of the given name Jan, which is derived from the Hebrew name Yehonatan (Jonathan) or Jehonadab (Jehonadab). The name means “Gift of God” or “God is Gracious” and has a strong religious connotation.
The name Janis is believed to have originated from the Middle Dutch version of John or Johannes, which was Jan. It became popular during the Middle Ages, and the spelling variations Janis, Janice, and Janes have been found in records going as far back as the 1200s.
The surname Janis is primarily found throughout Europe, with the highest concentrations in the United Kingdom, Poland, and Italy. It is also a popular name in the United States, where it has been used since colonization. It is thought to be associated with immigration from Europe, especially Germany and Austria, in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
The Janis surname has evolved and been embraced in numerous cultures in both its original form and the many spelling variations. Janis is an old name that has the quality of being both classic and timeless. It is a traditional name that is still seen in many places today, and it can also be seen as a representation of grace, kindness, and humility.
Order DNA origin analysisJanis: Where does the name Janis come from?
The last name Janis is common among many eastern European countries such as Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Belarus, as well as in some areas in Northern Europe, particularly in Finland and Sweden. It is also a common Jewish surname. Outside of eastern Europe, the last name Janis is popular in the United States and Canada, especially in larger metropolitan areas with a sizeable Eastern European immigrant population.
The United States census reported Janis to be the 111th mostly common name in America in 2020. Within the United States, the states with the most people named Janis are California, New York, Illinois, Ohio and New Jersey. Other states with significant numbers include Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Florida.
Most of the Janis's living in the United States trace their origins back to their immigration from the Eastern European countries of Latvia, Lithuania and Belarus. It is also common among the numerous Jewish immigrants that arrived in the United States beginning in the late 19th century.
Outside of the United States and Canada, Janis is mostly a fairly uncommon surname that is found mainly in eastern Europe, with much smaller concentrations in some areas of northern Europe, specifically Finland and Sweden. Janis is also known in some other countries such as Brazil, India, Australia and New Zealand due to immigration, but their numbers are relatively small compared to the eastern European population.
Variations of the surname Janis
The surname Janis has a variety of variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Janis is a German and Slovakian surname derived from the Hebrew given name John, meaning "God is Gracious".
The variants of Janis include Jannis, Janniss, Jannise, Jonisse, Janice, Janisse, Janes, Jans, Jance, Janise, and Janish.
In German, the surname is spelled Janisch; in Dutch, Janssen; in Spanish, Jannis.
In Jewish communities, the surname Janis may be found in the forms of Yannes, Yannis, and Yanno, which are all derived from the Hebrew given name Yonah, meaning "dove".
In Czech and Slovakian, Janis may be spelled as Janousek, Janova, Janocky, Janovsky, Janowski, Janovec, and Janovsky.
In Ireland, the similar-sounding surname Gannon is an anglicised version of the Irish Ó Geannáin or MacGeannáin, which is derived from the Old Irish given name Geanann, meaning "born fair".
In Poland, similar-sounding surnames may include Jankowski, Jankowiak, Jankiewicz, Jankowski, and Jankus.
In Russia, similar-sounding variants include Yanishevsky, Yanussy, Yanusov, Yanissky, Yanus, Janishevsky, Janissy, Janisov, Janissky, and Janis.
In France, similar-sounding surnames include Jeanisse, Janisseau, Janicy, Janiset, and Janin.
In the film industry, Janis may also be the adopted or shortened form of originally Jewish surnames such as Jankowski or Jankelowicz.
Famous people with the name Janis
- Janis Joplin: an American singer-songwriter and Rock icon who is best remembered for her distinct vocals and 1960s rock hits, such as ‘Piece of My Heart,’ ‘Me and Bobby McGee’ and ‘Mercedes Benz’.
- Richard Janus: an American former racecar driver who competed in numerous IndyCar events in the 1990s and 2000s.
- Mary Janis: a British actress who has starred in films such as ‘Eddie the Eagle’ and ‘The Festival.
- Mark Janis: an American professor, writer and legal scholar who is a professor of law at Indiana University Maurer School of Law.
- Mike Janis: an American drag racer who races in the NHRA Pro Mod Series for Team Janac Brothers.
- Jeff Janis: an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent.
- Aaron Janis: an American actor who has starred in films such as ‘The Lost City of Z’ and ‘Proud Mary’.
- Mr jANIS: a Venezuelan EDM producer and DJ whose debut album ‘Dans La Moiteur’ was released in 2019.
- Erin Janis: an American actress who stars in the TV show ‘The Bold Type’.
- Kim Janis: a Canadian fashion designer and founder of JANICALS, a brand of eco-friendly clothing.