Janaka is a unisex given name of Sanskrit origin, meaning "born again" or "one who knows". It is predominantly used in Hindu and Buddhist communities around the world, particularly in South Asia and Southeast Asia. Janaka is also a popular given name among people of Indian descent living abroad. The name has a historical significance as it was borne by several notable figures in ancient Indian mythology and literature, such as King Janaka, the father of Sita, the heroine of the epic Ramayana.
The name Janaka was given to five babies in 1981, with no other recorded births for that name in other years.