Janaki

Janaki is a feminine given name used in India and other parts of South Asia. It is derived from the Sanskrit name Janaka, meaning “father,” and is closely associated with Sita, a central character in the Ramayana, who is frequently called Janaki as the daughter of King Janaka. Because of this origins, the name carries connotations of virtue, steadfastness, and devotion in cultural contexts where the Ramayana is influential. The name is used across multiple languages, including Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Nepali, and it appears in several transliterations such as Janaki and Janki.

In general usage, Janaki appears as a first name for women. It is also encountered in literary and religious texts, where the epithet Janaki is used to refer to Sita. The name is often chosen for girls in recognition of its mythological associations and positive connotations.

Notable people with the given name include Janaki Ammal, an Indian botanist and geneticist known for her work in plant cytogenetics and for advancing women in science. Janaki Ramachandran, an Indian actress and politician who served briefly as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. M. S. Janaki, an Indian playback singer renowned in the South Indian film industries. These examples illustrate the name’s cross-disciplinary presence across science, politics, and the arts.

Variants and related forms include Janki and Jhanaki, reflecting different spellings in regional languages and transliteration systems.