Jane
Jane: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /d͡ʒeɪn/
Meaning and origin of Jane
- A female given name from French, the standard feminine form of John since the 17th century.
Etymology
Variant of Jeanne, from French Jeanne, from Middle French Jehanne, from Medieval Latin Johanna, variant of Latin Ioanna under influence from Latin Iōhannēs, from Koine Greek Ἰωάννα (Iōánna), from Hebrew יוֹחָנָה (Yôḥānāh, literally “God is gracious”), the feminized form of יְהוֹחָנָן (Yəhōḥānān) which produced John and its many doublets. As a placeholder name, cf. similar use of John and Jack and earlier use of Joan in the same role. Doublet of Gianna, Ivana, Jana, Janice, Janis, Jean, Jeanne, Jen, Joan, Joanna, Joanne, Johanna, Juana, Shavonne, Sian, Siobhan, Shane, Shaun, Shauna, and Sheena.
How popular is Jane?
Since 1880, 379,876 girls and 1,133 boys in the U.S. have been named Jane (100% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #35 in 1946. Its highest rank for boys was #1166 in 1946. In 2025 it ranked #221 for girls, with 1,380 babies given the name.
Names similar to Jane
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More French girl names
Sibling name ideas for Jane
Sister and brother names that share Jane's French roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Jane FAQ
What does the name Jane mean?
A female given name from French, the standard feminine form of John since the 17th century. Variant of Jeanne, from French Jeanne, from Middle French Jehanne, from Medieval Latin Johanna, variant of Latin Ioanna under influence from Latin Iōhannēs, from Koine Greek Ἰωάννα (Iōánna), from Hebrew יוֹחָנָה (Yôḥānāh, literally “God is gracious”), the feminized form of יְהוֹחָנָן (Yəhōḥānān) which produced John and its many doublets. As a placeholder name, cf. similar use of John and Jack and earlier use of Joan in the same role. Doublet of Gianna, Ivana, Jana, Janice, Janis, Jean, Jeanne, Jen, Joan, Joanna, Joanne, Johanna, Juana, Shavonne, Sian, Siobhan, Shane, Shaun, Shauna, and Sheena.
What is the origin of the name Jane?
Jane is listed as a name of French origin.
How popular is the name Jane?
Since 1880, 379,876 girls and 1,133 boys in the U.S. have been named Jane (100% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #35 in 1946. Its highest rank for boys was #1166 in 1946. In 2025 it ranked #221 for girls, with 1,380 babies given the name.
Is Jane a boy or girl name?
Jane is mostly a girl name in the U.S.: 379,876 girls and 1,133 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.