International Variations of Jane
- 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.
- Siobhán
Origin:
Irish GaelicMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
Lovely Irish name which has inspired many Anglicized variations, but using the original form preserves the integrity of one of the most beautiful Gaelic girls' names.
- Sheena
Origin:
Anglicization of Sine; Irish variation of JaneMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
Animated Gaelic name popularized by singer Sheena Easton, also brings to mind Sheena, Queen of the Jungle, the Amazonian comic book and TV series heroine. Sine is considered to be and English equivalent of Jane or Jean.
- Ivana
Origin:
Feminine variation of IvanDescription:
A rarely used Slavic name until the Czech-born ex-Mrs. Trump took it over the top. Daughter's name Ivanka adds a dollop of charm.
- Hanne
Origin:
Danish, Norwegian, German, DutchMeaning:
"grace"Description:
This spin on the popular Hannah is widely-used in Europe and pronounced similarly to Hannah. It may also be a short form of Johanne, from John/Joan.
- Jeanette
Origin:
French, diminutive of JeanneDescription:
Relic of a past period of French favorites, out to pasture with Claudette and Paulette.
- Ivanka
Origin:
Variation of IvanaMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
High-profile First Daughter Trump bears a nickname for her mother's name, Ivana. But though quite common in Slavic countries, and despite its international appeal, Ivanka is likely to remain a Singe-Celebrity name in the US — the Oprah of the political world — for the foreseeable future. Ivanka's larger impact on names may be inspiring parents to name their daughters after their moms.
- Giana
Origin:
Spelling variation of GiannaDescription:
This variant of Gianna has been in the US Top 1000 for most of the 21st century and hit a peak in 2010 at Number 568. The original spelling outranks the trimmed down version by far.
- Ioanna
Origin:
Greek variation of JoannaDescription:
Ioanna may be an original spin on the Joanna family, but American tongues may have trouble wrapping themselves around all its vowels. Ioanna is pronounced ee-oh-ah-nah.
- Janiyah
Origin:
Modern invented name, variation of JaneDescription:
Janiyah’s star is definitely fading, but it will likely remain in the Top 1000 for years to come.
- Janine
Origin:
French variation of JaneDescription:
Has lost all trace of its French accent.
- Giavanna
Origin:
Spelling variation of GiovannaDescription:
This spelling made its way into the Top 1000 for the first time in 2013, fell off in 2014, then reentered in 2015. This spelling variation is riding the original's popularity, and we anticipate both spellings continuing to rise.
- Iana
Origin:
Latin, Slavic variation of JaneMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
In Roman mythology, Iana was an epithet of Diana, goddess of the moon.
- Ivanna
Origin:
Feminine of Ivan, which is itself a variation of JohnDescription:
Ivanna / Ivana both come out of the name "John" by way of the Russian variant Ivan. Whereas Joanna feels dated, Ivanna feels cosmopolitan and fresh. Ivanka (of Trump fame) is a diminutive version of Ivanna.
- Jeanine
Origin:
French variation of JeanMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
Together with the more common (in France) Jeannine spelling, this feminine form of Jean was most popular in the 1930s in its home country, and in the 1960s in the US. It's fallen off the Top 1000 list since, but perhaps cute retro nickname Jeannie could tempt some vintage-loving parents back.
- Zanna
Origin:
Diminutive of Susanna; Polish variation of JaneDescription:
A feminine multicultural nickname name perfectly able to stand on its own.
- Jonna
Origin:
Scandinavian variation of JohannaMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
A Scandinavian short form of Johanna, properly pronounced with a Y sound at the start, but would likely be read as the more prosaic "John-a" in an English-speaking context.
- Juanita
Origin:
Spanish, feminine variation of JuanDescription:
Pervasive in all Spanish-speaking cultures, Juanita, like Juana, has not emigrated.
- Ohanna
Origin:
Hebrew and ArmenianMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
A joyous, celebratory-sounding name.
- Janne
Origin:
Danish and Norwegian diminutive of JohannaMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
This common name for both boys and girls in Scandinavia would definitely work better as a feminine name in the U.S.