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Jayne Girl

Popularity: #885 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

Pronunciationjane / /dʒeɪn/

English; Hebrew

Meaning

English: God is gracious; Hebrew: a variant of Jane

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Jayne is a variant of the name Jane, which has its roots in the Hebrew name Yochanan, meaning "God is gracious." This name was adapted into Greek as Ioannes, which then transitioned into Latin as Johannes. The Old French form, Jehan, eventually influenced the English version, Jane, which became widely used in England during the Middle Ages. The spelling Jayne emerged as a distinctive variant, particularly in the 19th century, reflecting a trend towards unique spellings in names during that period.

Historically, the name Jane has been borne by several notable figures, including Jane Seymour, the third wife of King Henry VIII of England, who lived in the 16th century. The name has also been associated with various saints, particularly Saint Jane Frances de Chantal, a French saint from the 17th century. The name gained further prominence through literary works, such as Jane Eyre, a novel by Charlotte Brontë published in 1847, which solidified the name's cultural significance in English literature.

Culturally, the name Jayne, like its predecessor Jane, has been associated with qualities such as grace and favor, reflecting its etymological roots. The name has been embraced in various forms across different cultures and languages, often symbolizing strength and resilience. The diminutive form, Janey, has also been used affectionately in some contexts, further illustrating the name's adaptability and enduring appeal throughout history.

Trend Summary

Jayne has seen fluctuating popularity in the United States, with a notable rise in the mid-20th century.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Jane
  • Jaine
  • Jayne

International Variants

  • Giovanna (Italian)
  • Jeanne (French)
  • Yana (Slavic)

Famous people named Jayne

Jayne Torvill is a former figure skater best known for winning the 1984 Winter Olympics and the 1994 Winter Olympics in ice dancing with Christopher Dean.

Jayne Ann Krentz is an author best known for her contemporary romance novels and the Arcane Society series.

Fictional characters named Jayne

Jayne Cobb is a fictional character from the TV series Firefly. He is a mercenary and a member of the crew of the spaceship Serenity, known for his brash personality and loyalty to his friends.

Jayne is a fictional character from the comic book series Jayne's Addiction. They are a central figure in the narrative, exploring themes of identity and belonging.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Jayne was first seen in the United States in 1895. Jayne has ranked as high as #395 nationally, which occurred in 1957, and has been most popular in New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, and California. In the past 5 years the name Jayne has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Jayne (2024)

StateBirthsShare
FL 8
44%
CA 5
28%
LA 5
28%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
18955
190610
19075
19088
19098
19108
191116
191227
191349
191454
191587
1916134
1917175
1918156
1919169
1920213
1921256
1922214
1923198
1924188
1925195
1926137
1927118
1928107
192985
1930105
1931114
1932117
1933129
1934110
1935125
1936115
1937134
1938183
1939177
1940207
1941235
1942281
1943321
1944319
1945405
1946490
1947559
1948519
1949621
1950596
1951551
1952539
1953575
1954911
19551,178
19561,470
19571,524
19581,326
19591,131
1960909
1961981
1962877
1963750
1964610
1965488
1966420
1967349
1968259
1969228
1970189
1971165
1972141
1973121
1974112
1975117
1976111
1977119
1978116
1979159
1980143
1981149
1982137
1983126
1984130
1985140
198693
1987119
1988142
1989133
1990128
1991130
199293
199386
1994120
1995100
199697
199785
199868
199991
200098
200181
200265
200366
200491
200564
200667
200765
200874
200965
201071
201176
201258
201376
201485
201581
201690
201775
201880
201979
202067
202151
202272
202364
202465