SaveMeaning & History
Medieval English form of Jehanne, an Old French feminine form of Iohannes (see JOHN). This became the most common feminine form of John in the 17th century, surpassing Joan.Famous bearers include the uncrowned English queen Lady Jane Grey (1536-1554), who ruled for only 9 days, the British novelist Jane Austen (1775-1817), who wrote 'Sense and Sensibility' and 'Pride and Prejudice', and the British primatologist Jane Goodall (1934-). This is also the name of the central character in Charlotte Brontë's novel 'Jane Eyre' (1847), which tells of her sad childhood and her relationship with Edward Rochester.
Related Names
VariantsJanessa, Janice, Janis, Jayne, Jean, Jeana, Jeane, Jeanna, Jeanne, Shavonne, Jayna, Shevaun, Shevon
DiminutivesJan, Janae, Janel, Janelle, Janet, Janette, Janey, Janie, Janna, Jannette, Jaynie, Jeanie, Jeni, Jenna, Jenni, Jennie, Jenny, Janeka, Janele, Janella, Janetta, Netta
Other Languages & CulturesLashawn African American Jone Basque Joanna Biblical Ioanna Biblical Greek Iohanna Biblical Latin Ioana, Ivana, Yana, Yanka, Yoana Bulgarian Joana, Jana Catalan Ghjuvanna Corsican Ivana Croatian Ivana, Jana, Johana, Janička Czech Johanna, Johanne, Jeanette Danish Jana, Janna, Johanna, Janine, Janneke, Jantine, Jantje, Jeanette, Jeanine, Jeannette, Jenny Dutch Johanna Estonian Janika, Janina, Johanna, Jenna, Jenni, Jenny Finnish Jeanne, Johanne, Janine, Jeanette, Jeanine, Jeannette, Jeannine French Xoana Galician Jana, Janina, Johanna, Janine, Jenny German Gianna, Ioanna, Yanna Greek Johanna, Zsanett Hungarian Jóhanna, Jóna, Jenný Icelandic Chevonne, Shavonne, Shevaun, Shevon, Síne, Siobhán, Sinéad Irish Giovanna Italian Johanna Late Roman Janina Lithuanian Ivana, Jovana Macedonian Jehanne, Johanne Medieval French Johanna, Johanne, Jeanette Norwegian Janina, Joanna Polish Joana Portuguese Ioana Romanian Yana, Zhanna, Zhannochka Russian Giuanna Sardinian Jean, Seona, Seonag, Sheena, Sheona, Shona, Sìne, Jessie, Sìneag, Teasag Scottish Ivana, Jovana Serbian Ivana, Jana, Janka Slovak Ivana, Jana Slovene Juana, Jenny Spanish Janina, Janna, Johanna, Jannicke, Jannike, Jeanette, Jennie, Jenny Swedish Ivanna, Yana Ukrainian Shan, Siân, Siwan, Siana, Siani, Sioned Welsh
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Jane Austen in a portrait by her sister (1810)Categories
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Entry updated October 20, 2016 Contribute
