UK boy's name
Janak
An Indian masculine name meaning creator, father, or progenitor.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 1997. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Janak is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Janak popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 1997 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2337, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1997, with 4 births.
This profile covers 4 England and Wales registrations across 1 recorded years from 1997 to 1997. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
Janak is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 4 living people in the UK are called Janak. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 1998 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Janak ranked #2337 for boys in England and Wales in 1997, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1997, when 4 boys were registered as Janak.
- • About 4 living people in the UK are estimated to have Janak as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#2337
1997
Births in 1997
4
Latest year
Peak year
1997
4 births
Estimated living
4
2026
Meaning
What does Janak mean?
The name Janak has its origins in Sanskrit, an ancient Indo-Aryan language of South Asia. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "janaka," which means father or progenitor. The name gained significance in Hindu mythology and is associated with King Janaka, a renowned ruler of the Videha Kingdom in ancient India.
In the Ramayana, one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient Indian literature, King Janaka is described as the father of Sita, the wife of Lord Rama. He was known for his wisdom, spirituality, and patronage of scholars and sages. The name Janak became associated with fatherhood, wisdom, and reverence for ancient traditions.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Janak can be found in the Upanishads, a collection of philosophical-religious texts that constitute the theoretical basis of Hinduism. The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, dating back to around the 8th century BCE, mentions King Janaka of Videha as a seeker of spiritual knowledge and a patron of learned Brahmins.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Janak. One of the most famous was Janak Prakash Nadda (1916-1994), an Indian classical singer and musicologist. He was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, the highest honor in the performing arts in India, in 1955.
Another prominent bearer of the name was Janak Singh Yadav (1932-2016), an Indian politician and former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. He served as the Chief Minister from 1999 to 2000 and was known for his efforts to promote social and economic development in the state.
Janak Puri McGilligan (1871-1942), an Indian freedom fighter and lawyer, was also a notable figure. He was a member of the Indian National Congress and played an active role in the Indian independence movement against British colonial rule.
In the field of literature, Janak Raj Anand (1936-2008) was a renowned Nepali writer and poet. He received the Sajha Puraskar, one of the highest literary awards in Nepal, for his contributions to Nepali literature.
Lastly, Janak Ameri (born 1941) is a prominent Indian sculptor and artist. He has received numerous accolades, including the Padma Shri, one of the highest civilian honors in India, for his contributions to the field of art and sculpture.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Decades
Janak by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Janak was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | #2337 | 4 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Janak
- Jack 188,738
- Joshua 145,192
- James 141,878
- Joseph 102,259
- Jacob 93,754
- Jake 66,896
- Jamie 41,243
- Jordan 36,750
- Jayden 28,921
- Jude 24,156
- John 22,240
- Joe 19,164
FAQ
Janak: questions and answers
How popular is the name Janak in the UK right now?
In 1997, Janak was ranked #2337 for boys in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Janak most popular?
The peak year on record was 1997, with 4 babies registered as Janak in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Janak?
An Indian masculine name meaning creator, father, or progenitor.
How many people are called Janak in the UK?
A total of 4 babies have been registered as Janak across the 1 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.