The story behind Jana
From Czech Jana, ultimately from Koine Greek Ἰωάννα (Iōánna), from Hebrew יוֹחָנָה (Yôḥānāh, literally “God is gracious”), the feminized form of יְהוֹחָנָן (Yəhōḥānān) which produced John and its many doublets. As a placeholder name, cf. similar use of John and Jack and earlier use of Joan in the same role. Doublet of Ivana, Jane, Janice, Janis, Jean, Jeanne, Jen, Joan, Joanna, Joanne, Johanna, Juana, Shavonne, Sian, Siobhan, Shane, Shaun, Shauna, and Sheena.
Other language forms and explanations (1)
Czech entry
From Koine Greek Ἰωάννα (Iōánna), from Hebrew יוֹחָנָה (Yôḥānāh, literally “God is gracious”), the feminized form of יְהוֹחָנָן (Yəhōḥānān).
Pronunciation
US English (ARPAbet): JH AE1 N AH0
Regional pronunciation variants
- Czech: [ˈjana]
This is a US English dictionary reading of the spelling; personal pronunciations may differ. Digits mark stress: 0 is unstressed, 1 is primary, 2 is secondary. Pronunciation source and notation.
Popularity
Jana ranked #1247 in US for 2025.
Source: SSA national baby names
Names Similar to Jana
Janna
A female given name from Hebrew, a fanciful modern variant of Jane.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Joana
Borrowed from Latin Joanna, from Ancient Greek Ἰωάννα (Iōánna), from Hebrew יוֹחָנָה. Doublet of Ivana, Giovana, and Jeane. Borrowed from Spanish Juana.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Joanna
From Latin Joanna, from Koine Greek Ἰωάννα (Iōánna), from Hebrew יוֹחָנָה (Yôḥānāh, literally “God is gracious”), the feminized form of יְהוֹחָנָן (Yəhōḥānān) which produced…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Joshua
From Biblical Hebrew יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (Yehoshúa'), perhaps from הוֹשֵׁעַ (Hoshéa') with addition of יהוה (YHWH, “Yahweh”), thus meaning "Yahweh is salvation". See הוֹשִׁיעַ (hoshía',…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Jutta
From German Jutta, Judit, from Biblical Hebrew יְהוּדִית (Y'hudít, literally “woman from Judah”). Perhaps from a Middle Low German diminutive of Judith, from Hebrew יְהוּדִית…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Anna
From Late Latin Anna both directly and via numerous other languages, chiefly in reference to St Anne the apocryphal mother of Mary mother of Jesus but appearing in the Vulgate…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Middle Names for Jana
Dan
From Hebrew דָּן (Dan). Dimunitve of Danjell (“Daniel”), Daniel (“id”) and Daniell (“id”). From Latin Daniēl (from Ancient Greek Δᾱνῑήλ (Dānīḗl), from Hebrew דָּנִיֵּאל).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends N
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Eve
From Middle English Eve, Eue, from Old English Ēua, Ēfe, from Latin Eva, from Ancient Greek Εὔα (Eúa), from Biblical Hebrew חַוָּה (ḥawwā).
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends E
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Gad
Borrowed from Biblical Hebrew גָּד (gad), a son of Jacob.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends D
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Sibling Names for Jana
Abel
English Abel From Middle English Abel, from Old English Ābel, from Latin Abel, from Ancient Greek Ἅβελ (Hábel), from Biblical Hebrew הֶבֶל (Héḇel, “Abel”), possibly from the…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends L
- compatible short style
- shared origin connection
Adah
From Hebrew עָדָה (adá, “Adah”, literally “ornament, dawn”).
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends H
- compatible short style
- shared origin connection
Adam
Middle English Adam English Adam From Middle English Adam, from Old English Adam, from Latin Adam, Adamus, from Ancient Greek Ἀδάμ (Adám), Ἄδαμος (Ádamos), from Biblical Hebrew…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends M
- compatible short style
- shared origin connection