Janis
Janis is most likely a surname formed from a personal name, ultimately tied to forms of John.
The #7,821 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 72,938 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Janis is generally understood as a surname built from a given name rather than from a place or occupation. In many traditions, it points back to forms of John: English and European variants such as Jan, Ján, Janis, or similar short forms ultimately derive from Hebrew Yochanan, meaning “God is gracious.” In some cases it may also reflect a family connection to a male ancestor named Jan, John, or a comparable local form.
History
As a surname, Janis is likely to have arisen independently in more than one linguistic community, especially where short-form given names were turned into hereditary family names. In English-speaking countries it may also have been influenced by immigration and spelling adaptation from Slavic, Baltic, or Greek naming traditions. The surname is relatively uncommon in the United States.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
The same ancient root behind John has generated a huge family of surnames and given names across Europe, and Janis is one of the many forms in that wide network.