Girl · 53rd of 12,526
Jane
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
379,619
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1947
Peak Popularity Year
9,960
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Jane stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Jane originates from the Hebrew name Yochanan, meaning 'God is gracious'. Its evolution includes forms in Greek and Latin before becoming popular in English. The name is characterized by its simplicity and elegance. It does not have a specific biblical reference. Jane gained prominence in medieval England and has maintained its popularity through various cultural contexts.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/dʒeɪn/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
The name Jane is derived from the Hebrew name Yochanan, meaning 'God is gracious'. It is a feminine form of the name John.
Meaning
God is gracious
Language Evolution
Yochanan (Hebrew), Ioannes (Greek), Iohannes (Latin), Johanna (Old German), Jane (English)
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in medieval England, particularly after the 12th century, due to the influence of the name John.
Variants & Derivatives
Joan, Janet, Jana, Jeanne
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Jane is viewed as a classic and timeless name, often associated with simplicity and elegance.
Famous People
Jane Austen, Jane Goodall, Jane Fonda, Jane Addams
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 9,960 peak births in 1947
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Vermont
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 13 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 19 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 13 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 2164th of 7545 | 224 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1514th of 6773 | 386 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1873rd of 7552 | 337 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 4253rd of 10718 | 95 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 6660th of 16616 | 86 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 24088th of 24088 | 5 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 63rd of 9107 | 71,028 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 48th of 9204 | 90,702 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 53rd of 12526 | 148,730 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 193rd of 19264 | 24,199 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 358th of 27321 | 11,451 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 420th of 35406 | 11,655 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 298th of 30306 | 13,373 |