History of the Name Jane

Jane may not be one of England’s top 100 names in the last few years, but the name Jane is nowhere near out of style. This feminine name was first used in the 1500s, and it was a common name among aristocrats’ daughters. It was a trendy alternative to the name Joan, and it remained somewhat glamorous up to the 1900s.

Meaning of the Name

The original meaning of Jane means “gift from God.” It is also considered to be a feminine form of the name John, and comes from the old French name Jehanne.

Famous People with the 1st Name Jane

There are many famous women with the name Jane, including author Jane Austen and actresses Jane Seymour, Jayne Mansfield and Jane Lynch. One of the first famous Janes was Jane Seymour, third wife to Henry VIII.

While Jane might have a reputation for being plain, it is an oldie but goodie. It is a classic name that is easy to combine with others as a first or middle name – Mary Jane or Sarah Jane for instance. It is one name that will never really disappear.

Useful Resources

• Looking for more girl’s names then see our list of English girls’ names
• See the most popular English girls’ names