Janet
Janet began as a Scottish diminutive of Jane — itself from the Hebrew "Yochanan," meaning "God is gracious." The "-et" suffix is a French-influenced diminutive ending. The name was particularly associated with Scotland from the medieval period onward. Janet Stuart was the illegitimate daughter of King James V of Scotland and the mother of Mary, Queen of Scots' half-brother. Janet was a top-100 American name from 1936 to 1962, peaking at #45 in 1943. The peak was so concentrated that Janet now reads as definitively mid-century. Janet Leigh (1927-2004), the actress known for the shower scene in Hitchcock's "Psycho" (1960), is the most iconic bearer. Janet Jackson (born 1966), the singer, extended the name's cultural reach. I find Janet slightly dated — the "J" opening is firm, the "n" gives it weight, and the "et" ending gives it a French-genteel quality. The name has been outside the US top 500 since 2009 and is unlikely to return soon. Janet is a female name of Hebrew (via Scottish) origin that means "God is gracious (diminutive of Jane)". Mid-century, friendly, and a little dated. The name sounds approachable. Janets tend to be warm. US peaked #45 in 1943. Outside top 500 since 2009. Well-known people named Janet include Janet Leigh (actress), Janet Jackson (singer), Janet (Scottish diminutive), Janet Yellen (economist). Common variations and related forms of Janet include Janette (variant), Jannet (variant), Jane (root name), Jan (short form).