Jane Boy
Origin(s)
PronunciationJAYN / /dʒeɪn/Hebrew; English
Meaning
Hebrew: God is gracious; English: variant of John
Historical & Cultural Background
Jane is derived from the Hebrew name Yochanan, meaning 'God is gracious.' It became popular in medieval England as a feminine form of John. Over time, Jane has been used as a standalone name and has been associated with various historical figures and literary characters. Although traditionally feminine, it has occasionally been used for boys, particularly in modern contexts.
Trend Summary
Jane has seen a decline in popularity in the U.S. over the past few decades, though it remains a classic name.
Similar Names
Variants
- Jayne
- Jaine
International Variants
- Giovanna (Italian)
- Jeanne (French)
- Yana (Slavic)
Famous people named Jane
Jane Austen was an English novelist known for her works such as 'Pride and Prejudice' and 'Sense and Sensibility.'.
Jane Goodall is a renowned primatologist and anthropologist known for her groundbreaking studies of wild chimpanzees.
Jane Fonda is an American actress and activist recognized for her roles in films like 'Klute' and 'Coming Home.'.
Jane Addams was a pioneer social worker and leader in women's suffrage, co-founding Hull House in Chicago.
Fictional characters named Jane
Jane Eyre is the protagonist of Charlotte Brontë's novel 'Jane Eyre,' known for her strong moral convictions and independence.
Jane Porter is a character in Edgar Rice Burroughs' 'Tarzan' series, known for her adventurous spirit and relationship with Tarzan.
Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Jane was first seen in the United States in 1907. Jane has ranked as high as #936 nationally, which occurred in 1946, and has been most popular in New York, California, Mississippi, and Ohio. In the past 5 years the name Jane has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Jane (1986)
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1907 | 5 |
| 1908 | 5 |
| 1910 | 6 |
| 1913 | 7 |
| 1915 | 15 |
| 1916 | 6 |
| 1917 | 13 |
| 1918 | 10 |
| 1919 | 17 |
| 1920 | 9 |
| 1921 | 12 |
| 1922 | 18 |
| 1923 | 11 |
| 1924 | 17 |
| 1925 | 24 |
| 1926 | 22 |
| 1927 | 27 |
| 1928 | 21 |
| 1929 | 20 |
| 1930 | 21 |
| 1931 | 20 |
| 1932 | 18 |
| 1933 | 18 |
| 1934 | 18 |
| 1935 | 18 |
| 1936 | 26 |
| 1937 | 21 |
| 1938 | 26 |
| 1939 | 25 |
| 1940 | 29 |
| 1941 | 25 |
| 1942 | 24 |
| 1943 | 20 |
| 1944 | 19 |
| 1945 | 17 |
| 1946 | 36 |
| 1947 | 18 |
| 1948 | 20 |
| 1949 | 19 |
| 1950 | 20 |
| 1951 | 20 |
| 1952 | 16 |
| 1953 | 21 |
| 1954 | 18 |
| 1955 | 17 |
| 1956 | 10 |
| 1957 | 17 |
| 1958 | 21 |
| 1959 | 16 |
| 1960 | 19 |
| 1961 | 19 |
| 1962 | 12 |
| 1963 | 11 |
| 1964 | 7 |
| 1965 | 16 |
| 1966 | 8 |
| 1967 | 10 |
| 1968 | 8 |
| 1969 | 5 |
| 1971 | 6 |
| 1972 | 6 |
| 1973 | 5 |
| 1974 | 8 |
| 1975 | 5 |
| 1976 | 5 |
| 1977 | 8 |
| 1979 | 5 |
| 1981 | 7 |
| 1982 | 5 |
| 1983 | 6 |
| 1984 | 6 |
| 1985 | 9 |
| 1986 | 10 |
| 1987 | 6 |
| 1988 | 7 |
| 1989 | 8 |
| 1990 | 8 |
| 1991 | 9 |
| 1992 | 5 |
| 2003 | 5 |