Janel: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

Rank 2025

#11,330

among girls · ↓4,265 vs 2024

Babies in 2025

named Janel

How common

1 in 200,908

girls born in 2025

Peak year

1971

429 babies

All-time total

12,055

#1,493 all-time among girls

First recorded

1933

in Social Security records

Janel popularity over time

12,055 babies have been named Janel since 1933, according to official Social Security records. Switch measure to see births per year or the yearly rank.

Measure

Births per 1,000 babies of that sex, comparable across eras

GirlsBoys

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade	Girls	Boys	Total	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1890s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1900s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1910s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1920s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1930s	80	–	80	8	–	#1,369
1940s	244	–	244	24	+205%	#1,158
1950s	913	–	913	91	+274%	#961
1960s	1,576	–	1,576	158	+73%	#559
1970s	3,661	15	3,676	368	+133%	#470
1980s	2,628	17	2,645	265	-28%	#507
1990s	1,718	–	1,718	172	-35%	#849
2000s	750	–	750	75	-56%	#1,768
2010s	347	–	347	35	-54%	#3,657
2020s (to 2025)	106	–	106	18	-49%	#4,810

The story of Janel

Janel is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #11,330 in 2025 with 8 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1933, 12,055 American babies have been named Janel. Its peak came in 1971, when 429 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 1970s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Janel stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Janel?

The median living Janel is about 46 years old; half are between 35 and 54. An estimated 11 thousand people named Janel are alive in the United States today.

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Janel year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year	Girls	Girls rank	Boys	Boys rank
2025	8	#11,330	–	–
2024	16	#7,065	–	–
2023	18	#6,519	–	–
2022	14	#7,793	–	–
2021	23	#5,467	–	–
2020	27	#4,810	–	–
2019	26	#5,090	–	–
2018	23	#5,526	–	–
2017	32	#4,434	–	–
2016	36	#4,123	–	–
2015	31	#4,532	–	–
2014	38	#3,956	–	–
2013	41	#3,737	–	–
2012	35	#4,247	–	–
2011	42	#3,688	–	–
2010	43	#3,657	–	–
2009	64	#2,789	–	–
2008	69	#2,672	–	–
2007	57	#3,073	–	–
2006	56	#3,031	–	–
2005	59	#2,797	–	–
2004	78	#2,250	–	–
2003	92	#1,976	–	–
2002	78	#2,151	–	–
2001	101	#1,768	–	–
2000	96	#1,807	–	–
1995	163	#1,093	–	–
1990	194	#966	–	–
1985	185	#868	–	–
1980	397	#507	5	#6,673
1975	346	#514	–	–
1970	386	#508	–	–
1965	105	#1,019	–	–
1960	110	#1,026	–	–
1955	86	#1,091	–	–
1950	73	#1,079	–	–
1945	13	#2,522	–	–
1940	7	#3,653	–	–
1935	29	#1,369	–	–
1930	–	–	–	–
1925	–	–	–	–
1920	–	–	–	–
1915	–	–	–	–
1910	–	–	–	–
1905	–	–	–	–
1900	–	–	–	–
1895	–	–	–	–
1890	–	–	–	–
1885	–	–	–	–
1880	–	–	–	–

Famous people named Janel

The most globally famous bearers of the name, ranked by fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

1 Janel Parrish American actress and musician (born 1988) Contemporary
2 Janel Moloney American actress (b. 1969) Contemporary

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Janel, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Janel?

The median living Janel is about 46 years old. Half of all living Janels are between 35 and 54 years old.

How many people named Janel are alive today?

An estimated 11 thousand people named Janel are alive in the United States, based on 12,055 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

How popular is the name Janel in 2025?

Janel ranked #11,330 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 8 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Janel?

12,055 babies have been named Janel in the United States since 1933, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Janel most popular?

Janel peaked in 1971, when 429 newborns received the name.

Is Janel a boy or girl name?

Janel is overwhelmingly a girl's name: 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Janel rising or falling?

Janel is declining, less popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Janel?

Well-known people named Janel include Janel Parrish (actor), Janel Moloney (actor).

Names like Janel

Names that sound and feel close to Janel: shared sounds, similar era, similar popularity. Each links to its full history.

Compare Janel with similar names → More names starting with J →