&sq=Envato&lang=en&file=File:Streathamladyjayne.jpg) Lady Jane Grey is a famous Jane. | |
| Gender | Feminine |
|---|---|
| Origin | |
| Language(s) | Hebrew |
| Meaning | "Yahweh is gracious/merciful" |
| Region of origin | Worldwide |
| Other names | |
| Nickname(s) | Janie, Jenny |
| Related names | John, Joanna, Joan |
| Popularity | see popular names |
Jane is a feminine given name. It is the English form of Jehanne, the Old French feminine form of Iohannes, a Latin form of the Greek name Ἰωάννης (Iōannēs), which is ultimately derived from the Hebrew name יוֹחָנָן (Yochanan), a short form of the name יְהוֹחָנָן (Yehochanan), meaning "Yahweh is merciful".[1]
The name was first used in large numbers in the mid-16th century for the daughters of aristocrats as an alternative to the more commonplace Joan. The two names have alternated in popularity. In the early 19th century, Jane rose in popular use in association with its perceived glamour. Joan became more popular in the early to mid-20th century, when it was ranked in the top 500 most popular names given to girls in the United States, but it has again been displaced by Jane on the popularity charts in the 21st century.