January

At a Glance

Meaning

Named for the Roman god Janus, associated with beginnings and transitions

Origin

English (from the month name, ultimately Latin Iānuārius)

Gender

Primarily used for girls

Pronunciation

JAN-yoo-air-eeListen

January takes its name straight from the month, which goes back to the Latin Iānuārius and the Roman god Janus, tied to beginnings and transitions. As an English name, it's about as literal as they come — it borrows the calendar word itself rather than adapting or shortening it. For a parent weighing it, that's the full picture: the meaning behind January runs through Janus and the idea of a new start, nothing more.

Meaning & Origin of January

Meaning: Named for the Roman god Janus, associated with beginnings and transitions.

Origin: English (from the month name, ultimately Latin Iānuārius).

Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.

How to Pronounce January

Popularity of January

Looking at SSA records from 1951 to 2024, January had its strongest run in 1978, ranking #638 with 257 babies given the name. By 2024 it had dropped way down, to #9165 with just 11 babies.

Names Like January

These names have followed a similar path to January in U.S. popularity over the years.

• Detrick
• Jolena
• Daimon
• Holli
• Halona
• Fadil

FAQ

What does the name January mean?

Named for the Roman god Janus, associated with beginnings and transitions. (Source: Wiktionary)

How do you pronounce January?

January is pronounced JAN-yoo-air-ee (IPA: /ˈdʒænjuˌɛri/).

Is January a popular name right now?

January peaked at #638 in 1978 and is ranked #9165 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1951–2024.)

Make January Name Art

Free printable nursery art for January, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.