Jane

Jane is a feminine given name widely used in English-speaking countries. It derives from the Old French Jehanne, the feminine form of Jehan (John), which traces to Latin Ioannes. The meaning is commonly understood as “God is gracious.” The name has appeared in literature and history since the Middle Ages and remains common today as a stand-alone given name or as the feminine form of John.

Variants include Jeanne (French), Joan, Joann, and Janet. Diminutives and affectionate forms include Jan, Janie, and Jani. Related names include Joanne and Janice, as well as culturally adapted forms such as Giovanna in Italian and Juana in Spanish.

Notable people named Jane include Jane Austen, the 18th- and 19th-century novelist; Jane Goodall, the primatologist and conservationist; Jane Fonda, the actress and activist; Jane Campion, the filmmaker; Jane Seymour, the Tudor queen; Jane Addams, the social reformer; and Jane Lynch, the actress and comedian. In fiction, Jane Eyre is the title character of Charlotte Brontë's novel; Jane Porter appears in Tarzan stories; and Jane Foster is a Marvel Comics character who becomes Thor.

Beyond personal names, Jane appears in cultural and geographic contexts and is used in various languages as a variant of John.