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Janice Girl

Popularity: #867 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

PronunciationJAN-iss / /ˈdʒænɪs/

English; Hebrew

Meaning

English: God is gracious; Hebrew: He (God) has been gracious

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Janice is derived from the Hebrew name Yochanan, meaning "God is gracious." This name evolved through several linguistic transformations, first appearing in Greek as Ioannes, which was then adopted into Latin as Johannes. The name made its way into Old French as Jehan, and subsequently into Middle English. The modern form Janice emerged as a diminutive or feminine variant of Jan, which itself is a short form of Janus, a name that has roots in the Latin word for "January," symbolizing new beginnings. The transition to Janice occurred in the 20th century, influenced by the trend of creating feminine forms of traditionally male names.

Historically, the name Janice can be linked to various cultural and religious figures. The name Yochanan is associated with several biblical figures, including John the Baptist and John the Apostle, both prominent in Christian tradition. The name's variants have appeared in significant religious texts, including the King James Bible, which was published in the early 17th century, further solidifying its presence in Western culture. The name Janice itself gained traction in the English-speaking world during the 20th century, particularly in the United States, where it was popularized through literature and media.

Culturally, Janice has been associated with qualities such as grace and favor, reflecting its etymological roots. The name has also been embraced in various artistic expressions, including literature and film, contributing to its resonance in popular culture. Additionally, diminutive forms like Jan or Janie have been used affectionately, showcasing the name's versatility and warmth. Overall, Janice carries a rich historical and cultural significance, rooted in its biblical origins and linguistic evolution.

Trend Summary

Janice experienced peak popularity in the mid-20th century but has since declined in usage.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Janis
  • Jannice

International Variants

  • Giannina (Italian)
  • Janika (Hungarian)

Famous people named Janice

Janice Joplin is a singer and songwriter best known for Piece of My Heart, Me and Bobby McGee, and Cry Baby.

Janice Dickinson is a model and television personality best known for America's Next Top Model, The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency, and her autobiography No Lifeguard on Duty.

Janice Kawaye is a voice actress best known for her roles in Hey Arnold!, The Magic School Bus, and The Powerpuff Girls.

Fictional characters named Janice

Janice is a fictional character from the TV series Friends. She is known for her distinctive laugh and her catchphrase, often appearing as the ex-wife of Chandler Bing.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Janice was first seen in the United States in 1894. Janice has ranked as high as #44 nationally, which occurred in 1951, and has been most popular in California, New York, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. In the past 5 years the name Janice has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Janice (2024)

StateBirthsShare
TX 15
32%
NY 14
30%
CA 13
28%
VA 5
11%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
18945
189913
190037
190134
190243
190335
190436
190542
190651
190740
190859
190978
191089
1911117
1912142
1913157
1914225
1915285
1916372
1917455
1918510
1919589
1920670
1921732
1922745
1923787
19241,175
19251,510
19261,467
19271,468
19281,565
19291,690
19301,930
19312,287
19322,628
19333,061
19343,588
19354,442
19366,149
19377,768
19388,711
19398,779
19409,318
194110,061
194210,286
194310,651
19449,732
194510,782
194614,038
194715,409
194814,162
194914,453
195015,010
195115,959
195214,978
195314,627
195413,505
195513,178
195613,017
195711,968
195810,888
195910,489
19609,621
19618,724
19627,822
19637,072
19646,162
19655,031
19664,345
19673,514
19683,043
19692,631
19702,331
19712,144
19721,713
19731,475
19741,323
19751,310
19761,155
19771,143
19781,162
19791,078
19801,004
1981890
1982880
1983772
1984758
1985688
1986657
1987669
1988631
1989546
1990514
1991484
1992463
1993450
1994420
1995362
1996338
1997311
1998311
1999298
2000310
2001273
2002325
2003245
2004285
2005238
2006260
2007286
2008254
2009331
2010236
2011192
2012192
2013188
2014178
2015198
2016165
2017148
2018154
2019141
202097
202186
202290
202398
202483