International Variations of Jane
Updated Fri Feb 16 2024
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Jane is one of the classic baby names for girls that has a wide range of variations around the world. Jane itself is a variation of Jehanne, the Old French feminization of John that also spawned Jean. Popular Jane variations of the past, such as Janet and Janine, have faded, making room for fresher options such as Gianna and Giovanna.
Along with Gianna and Giovanna, other international variations of Jane in the US Top 1000 include Hana, Ivanna, Janelle, Janiyah, Giana, and Johanna. The Irish variant Siobhan feels especially stylish right now, along with the Russian Yana, Polish Zanna, and Galician Xoana. Jane continues to be one of the top middle names for girls in the US and is making its way back up the charts as a first name as well.
Whether you’re looking to honor an important Jane or John in your life, or just want a fresh take on a classic, view our extensive set of international variations of Jane below, ordered by their current popularity on Nameberry.
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- Jane
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
No, we don't consider Jane too plain. In fact, for a venerable and short one-syllable name, we think it packs a surprising amount of punch, as compared to the related Jean and Joan.
- Gianna
Origin:
Italian, diminutive of Giovanna or feminization of Gianni, forms of JohnMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
The Italian Gianna undoubtedly owes much of its popularity in the US to its status as an honor name for John. Before the importation of Gianna, there was no truly workable feminine form of John, so Gianna found widespread favor among American parents with Italian roots and far beyond.
- Jean
Origin:
English and Scottish, from French variation of JohannaMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
Originally a feminine of John, Jean was popular in Scotland long before it found favor elsewhere, and had its most shining moment here in the era of Jean Harlow (born Harlean), ultimate symbol of silver screen glamour. Now, though there are many grandmas and even moms with the name, it doesn't seem all that baby-friendly. Though that could change, and Jean could join Jane.
- Joanna
Origin:
Variation of JohannaMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
Joanna derives from the Greek name Ioanna, which in turn came from the Hebrew name Yohannah. It is featured in the New Testament as a woman who accompanied Jesus on his travels and eventually reached saint status. Other names related to Joanna include Joan, Joanne, Johanna, and Jana.
- Johanna
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
Johanna is the version of this name used in Holland, Germany, and Scandinavia. The extra h makes Johanna a slightly more dignified version of Joanna.
- Siobhan
Origin:
Irish GaelicMeaning:
"god is gracious"Description:
Siobhan is the Irish variation of Joan, which is derived from the ancient Anglo-Norman name Jehanne. In this way Siobhan is indirectly related to the name Sinead—the Irish form of Jeannette, which also derived from Jehanne—although Sinead is not a nickname for Siobhan. Siobhan was the name of several early Irish queens and was introduced to the American public by the actress Siobhan McKenna.
- Janet
Origin:
Diminutive of JaneMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
Janet started as a pet form of Jane but has long been used independently. Jane is a feminine form of John, which derived from the Hebrew name Yochanan. Janet can also be considered a variation of Jeannette, a derivative of Joan and another feminization of the name John.
- Hana
Origin:
Hebrew, Hawaiian, Maori, JapaneseMeaning:
"grace, work, glow, flower"Description:
Many things to many peoples: a flower name, also spelled Hanae, to the Japanese; a Czech and Polish short form of Johana; and an alternate form of the biblical name Hannah in the US. It also means "craft, work" in Hawaiian and "glow" in Maori.
- Jeanne
Origin:
French variation of JeanMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
Pronounced just like Jean in the English-speaking world, but as the more unusual zhahn in France, this has sailed away with the first wave of French favorites: Denise, Michelle, et soeurs.
- Nita
Origin:
Hindi, Hebrew, and ChoctawMeaning:
"friendly, to plant, and bear"Description:
One of those slender names, like Lena or Etta, that's used in several cultures and carries a range of meanings. But by being so many things, it doesn't feel decidedly like anything.
- Giovanna
Origin:
Italian, feminine variation of GiovanniDescription:
Like Galilea and Livia, one of the Italian names that fashionable American parents—with or without Italian roots—have started to choose for their daughters. It has endured ups and downs since entering the popularity charts in 1991.
- Jenny
Origin:
Diminutive of Janet, Jane, Jean, and JenniferDescription:
At the height of the Jennifer craze, many parents were cutting straight to the nickname and putting Jenny on the birth certificate. But now that Jennifer is the mom rather than the daughter, Jenny, which has been somewhat replaced by Jenna, has faded as well.
- Jana
Origin:
International feminine variation of JanDescription:
A sweet name with many cross-cultural ties: it's an equivalent of Jane in languages including Czech, Slovak, Dutch, German, Slovene, Catalan, Estonian, and Latvian.
- Sinead
Origin:
Irish form of JanetMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
One of the best known of the Irish girls' names, thanks to singer Sinead O'Connor. Though it's still in the Irish Top 100, it's no longer quite as fashionable in Ireland as Aoife or Aisling. But by now everyone in the Western World knows it's pronounced shin-aid and so would have no trouble fitting in on an American playground.
- Siún
Origin:
Irish variation of Susan or JohnMeaning:
"lily; God is gracious"Description:
This rare Irish name can be used as a variant of Susan, or as a form of Siobhan, itself a feminine form of John. Siún appears in a classic Irish song, Siún Ní Dhuibhir , about a man's brief encounter with a woman named Siún and the fleeting nature of love.
- Iva
Origin:
Bulgarian, Croatian, Serbian, Slovene, Slovak, Czech, EnglishMeaning:
"willow tree; God is gracious; yew tree; bow warrior"Description:
Short, sweet, and sharp, this multicultural choice is currently popular in Croatia, Czechia, Slovenia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. While not in the charts elsewhere, it is familiar in English speaking countries, and in the Netherlands.
- Jennie
Origin:
Diminutive of Janet, Jane, Jean, and JenniferDescription:
Long before the Jennifer Era, Jennie was a fashionable pet form of several names, and was also used independently -- in 1875 it was in the Top 20. Jennie was replaced by the Jenny spelling in the 1960s, and is rarely seen today.
- Janelle
Origin:
American, modern elaboration of JaneDescription:
It's far cooler to drop the first syllable and go for Elle.
- Yana
Origin:
Slavic variation of Jana, feminine variation of JohnMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
A Slavic classic, as common as Jane or Joan here. If you live in an Anglophone culture and you want it pronounced with a Y sound at the beginning, use the Y spelling.
- Sian
Origin:
Welsh variation of JaneMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
Simple and pretty and user-friendly, the Welsh Sian was used by U2's Dave "the Edge" Evans for his daughter. In Welsh, it is also spelled Siân.