Jane is a feminine given name. It is the

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ide ...

form of Jehanne, the

Old French Old French (, , ; Modern French: ) was the language spoken in most of the northern half of France from approximately the 8th to the 14th centuries. Rather than a unified language, Old French was a linkage of Romance dialects, mutually intelligib ...

feminine form of Iohannes, a

Latin Latin (, or , ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally a dialect spoken in the lower Tiber area (then known as Latium) around present-day Rome, but through the power of the ...

form of the

Greek Greek may refer to: Greece Anything of, from, or related to Greece, a country in Southern Europe: *Greeks, an ethnic group. *Greek language, a branch of the Indo-European language family. **Proto-Greek language, the assumed last common ancestor ...

name (Iōannēs), which is ultimately derived from the

Hebrew Hebrew (; ; ) is a Northwest Semitic language of the Afroasiatic language family. Historically, it is one of the spoken languages of the Israelites and their longest-surviving descendants, the Jews and Samaritans. It was largely preserved ...

name יוֹחָנָן (Yochanan), a short form of the name יְהוֹחָנָן (Yehochanan), meaning "

Yahweh Yahweh *''Yahwe'', was the national god of ancient Israel and Judah. The origins of his worship reach at least to the early Iron Age, and likely to the Late Bronze Age if not somewhat earlier, and in the oldest biblical literature he posse ...

is merciful".Behind the Name
/ref> The name was first used in large numbers in the mid-16th century for the daughters of aristocrats as an alternative to the more commonplace

Joan Joan may refer to: People and fictional characters * Joan (given name), including a list of women, men and fictional characters *:Joan of Arc, a French military heroine * Joan (surname) Weather events *Tropical Storm Joan (disambiguation), multip ...

. The two names have alternated in popularity. In the early 19th century, Jane rose in popular use in association with its perceived glamour. Joan became more popular in the early to mid-20th century, when it was ranked in the top 500 most popular names given to girls in the United States, but it has again been displaced by Jane on the popularity charts in the 21st century.

Name variants

Alternate forms include: *Asia (

Polish Polish may refer to: * Anything from or related to Poland, a country in Europe * Polish language * Poles Poles,, ; singular masculine: ''Polak'', singular feminine: ''Polka'' or Polish people, are a West Slavic nation and ethnic group, w ...

Italian Italian(s) may refer to: * Anything of, from, or related to the people of Italy over the centuries ** Italians, an ethnic group or simply a citizen of the Italian Republic or Italian Kingdom ** Italian language, a Romance language *** Regional Ita ...

) *Gianna (

) *Gianetta (

) *Giannetta (

) *Giannina (

) *Giovanna (

) *Hana (

Czech Czech may refer to: * Anything from or related to the Czech Republic, a country in Europe ** Czech language ** Czechs, the people of the area ** Czech culture ** Czech cuisine * One of three mythical brothers, Lech, Czech, and Rus' Places * Czech, ...

) *Janka ( Hungarian) *Hanne (

German German(s) may refer to: * Germany (of or related to) ** Germania (historical use) * Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language ** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law **Ge ...

) *Hannele (

Finnish Finnish may refer to: * Something or someone from, or related to Finland * Culture of Finland * Finnish people or Finns, the primary ethnic group in Finland * Finnish language, the national language of the Finnish people * Finnish cuisine See also ...

) *Hannie (

Dutch Dutch commonly refers to: * Something of, from, or related to the Netherlands * Dutch people () * Dutch language () Dutch may also refer to: Places * Dutch, West Virginia, a community in the United States * Pennsylvania Dutch Country People E ...

) *Hansine (

) *Hansje, Hanna, Hannie (

) *Ioana (

Romanian Romanian may refer to: *anything of, from, or related to the country and nation of Romania **Romanians, an ethnic group **Romanian language, a Romance language *** Romanian dialects, variants of the Romanian language ** Romanian cuisine, tradition ...

) *Ioanna (

Russian Russian(s) refers to anything related to Russia, including: *Russians (, ''russkiye''), an ethnic group of the East Slavic peoples, primarily living in Russia and neighboring countries *Rossiyane (), Russian language term for all citizens and peo ...

) *Ionna (

) *Ionela (

) *Iva ( Slavic,

Portuguese Portuguese may refer to: * anything of, from, or related to the country and nation of Portugal ** Portuguese cuisine, traditional foods ** Portuguese language, a Romance language *** Portuguese dialects, variants of the Portuguese language ** Portu ...

) *Ivana (

, Croatian) *Ivanna (

, Slavic) *Ivanka (

) *Ivanka (

, Slavic) *Jaana (

) *Jaapje (

) *Jana (

, Latvian,

, Slovak, Albanian) *Janae ( Modern American,

) *Janeczka (

) *Jane ( Estonian) *Jane ( Circassian: Жьанэ and Джэнэ) *Jane ( Macedonian: Јане) *Janelle (

American American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, pe ...

) *Janes (

Danish Danish may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to the country of Denmark People * A national or citizen of Denmark, also called a "Dane," see Demographics of Denmark * Culture of Denmark * Danish people or Danes, people with a Danish a ...

Swedish Swedish or ' may refer to: Anything from or related to Sweden, a country in Northern Europe. Or, specifically: * Swedish language, a North Germanic language spoken primarily in Sweden and Finland ** Swedish alphabet, the official alphabet used by ...

) *Janet (

, Scots) *Janete (

) *Janice (

) *Janica (

) *Janina (

) *Janine ( French,

) *Janka (

, Hungarian) *Janna (

) *Janne (

Norwegian Norwegian, Norwayan, or Norsk may refer to: *Something of, from, or related to Norway, a country in northwestern Europe * Norwegians, both a nation and an ethnic group native to Norway * Demographics of Norway *The Norwegian language, including ...

) *Janneke (

) *Janneth ( Scots) *Jannetje (

) *Jannie (

) *Jannike ( Scandinavian) *Janotje (

) *Jans (

) *Jansje (

) *Jante (

) *Jantina (

) *Jantine (

) *Jantje (

) *Januszy ( Slavic) *Jasia (

) *Jayna (

) *Jayne (

) *Jean (

, Scots) *Jeanette ( French) *Jeanna (

) *Jeanne ( French) *Jeannie (

, Scots) *Jehanne ( French) *Jenica (

) *Jenka (

) *Jenne (

) *Jennet ( Scots) *Jenni (

) *Jennie (

) *Jenny (

) *Jenjira (

Thailand Thailand ( ), historically known as Siam () and officially the Kingdom of Thailand, is a country in Southeast Asia, located at the centre of the Indochinese Peninsula, spanning , with a population of almost 70 million. The country is bo ...

) *Jensine (

) *Jerneese ( Puerto Rican) *Jinn ( Manx) *Jinty ( Scots) *Joan (

, Manx) *Joana (

Catalan Catalan may refer to: Catalonia From, or related to Catalonia: * Catalan language, a Romance language * Catalans, an ethnic group formed by the people from, or with origins in, Northern or southern Catalonia Places * 13178 Catalan, asteroid #1 ...

) *Joanka (

) *Joanna (

) *Joanne (

) *Joannia ( Manx) *Joasia (

) *Johana (

) *Johanka (

) *Johanna (

, Hungarian) *Jóhanna ( Icelandic) *Johanne (

) *Johanneke (

) *Johna (

) *Johnet ( Manx) *Johnna (

) *Johnnie (

) *Joan (

) *Joina (

) *Jóna ( Icelandic) *Jone (

Basque Basque may refer to: * Basques, an ethnic group of Spain and France * Basque language, their language Places * Basque Country (greater region), the homeland of the Basque people with parts in both Spain and France * Basque Country (autonomous co ...

) *Jonee ( Manx) *Joney ( Manx) *Jonie (

) *Jovana ( sr, Јована) *Jovanka ( sr, Јованка) *Juana (

Spanish Spanish might refer to: * Items from or related to Spain: **Spaniards are a nation and ethnic group indigenous to Spain **Spanish language, spoken in Spain and many Latin American countries **Spanish cuisine Other places * Spanish, Ontario, Can ...

) *Juanita (

) *Jutta (

) *Kini ( Hawaiian) *Nana ( el, Νανα) *Oana (

) *Ohanna (

Armenian Armenian may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to Armenia, a country in the South Caucasus region of Eurasia * Armenians, the national people of Armenia, or people of Armenian descent ** Armenian Diaspora, Armenian communities across the ...

) *Seanna (

) *Seini ( Tongan) *Seona ( Scots) *Seonag (

Scottish Gaelic Scottish Gaelic ( gd, Gàidhlig ), also known as Scots Gaelic and Gaelic, is a Goidelic language (in the Celtic branch of the Indo-European language family) native to the Gaels of Scotland. As a Goidelic language, Scottish Gaelic, as well as ...

) *Seónaid (

) *Shana (

) *Shauna (

) *Shavonne (

) *Shawn (

Irish Irish may refer to: Common meanings * Someone or something of, from, or related to: ** Ireland, an island situated off the north-western coast of continental Europe ***Éire, Irish language name for the isle ** Northern Ireland, a constituent unit ...

) *Shawna (

) *Sheena ( Scots) *Shena (

) *Shona ( Scots) *Siân (

Welsh Welsh may refer to: Related to Wales * Welsh, referring or related to Wales * Welsh language, a Brittonic Celtic language spoken in Wales * Welsh people People * Welsh (surname) * Sometimes used as a synonym for the ancient Britons (Celtic peop ...

) *Siâni (

) *Sian (Irish Language) *Sina ( Irish Gaelic) *Sinéidin (

) *Síne ( Irish Gaelic) *Sinéad ( Irish Gaelic) *Síneag ( Scottish) *Siobhán ( Irish Gaelic) *Sion (

) *Sioned (

) *Siubhan (

) *Vanda (

) *Vanja ( Scandinavian,

Slovenian Slovene or Slovenian may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to Slovenia, a country in Central Europe * Slovene language, a South Slavic language mainly spoken in Slovenia * Slovenes The Slovenes, also known as Slovenians ( sl, Sloven ...

) *Vanna (

) *Xoana ( Galician) *Yana (

),( Slavic) *Yanick (

Breton Breton most often refers to: *anything associated with Brittany, and generally ** Breton people ** Breton language, a Southwestern Brittonic Celtic language of the Indo-European language family, spoken in Brittany ** Breton (horse), a breed **Ga ...

, French) *Yanna (

) *Yannic (

, French) *Yannick (

, French) *Yochanna (

) *Zaneta (

) *Žaneta ( Lithuanian) *Žanna ( Latvian) *Zhanna (

) *Zhannochka (russian: Жанночка) *Zsanett ( Hungarian)

People with this name

Arts

Jhane Barnes Jhane Barnes is an American designer of clothing, textiles, eyeglasses, carpets and furniture, and the owner of the ''Jhane Barnes'' fashion design company. Barnes is known for incorporating complex, mathematical patterns into her clothing desig ...

(born 1954), fashion designer ("h" added as adult) *

Jane Burden Jane Morris (née Burden; 19 October 1839 – 26 January 1914) was an English embroiderer in the Arts and Crafts movement and artists' model who embodied the Pre-Raphaelite ideal of beauty. She was a model and muse to her husband William ...

(1839–1914), pre-Raphaelite model and muse *

Jane Antonia Cornish Jane Antonia Cornish is an English composer. She is based in Los Angeles, California, and focuses on contemporary classical music. Early life and education Cornish grew up in Kent, England, where she studied violin, piano and composition from ...

(born 1975), British Contemporary classical music composer *

Jane Dyer Jane Dyer (born 1949) is an American author and illustrator of more than fifty books, including Amy Krouse Rosenthal's ''Cookies: Bite-Size Life Lessons, Cookies'' series and Jeanne Birdsall's ''Lucky and Squash''. Background Dyer grew up in N ...

(born 1949), children's book illustrator *

Jane Frank Jane Schenthal Frank (born Jane Babette Schenthal) (July 25, 1918 – May 31, 1986) was an American multidisciplinary artist, known as a painter, sculptor, mixed media artist, illustrator, and textile artist. Her landscape-like, mixed-media ab ...

(1918–1986), American artist * Jane Kelly (born 1956), artist and journalist

Crime

Jane Andrews Jane Dawn Elizabeth Andrews (born 1 April 1967) is an English former royal dresser for Sarah, Duchess of York, who was convicted at the Old Bailey in 2001 of murdering her lover, Tom Cressman. She was released from prison in 2015. Early life A ...

(born 1967), murderer of Tom Cressman * Jane Britton (1945–1969), female murder victim *

Jane Cakebread Jane Cakebread (1827/1828 – 17 December 1898) was a 19th-century British homeless woman who gained notoriety for her frequent arrests for public "drunkenness". According to official records, Cakebread appeared in police court 277 times for her ...

(1830–1898), infamous drunkard; the Inebriates Act 1898 was directly due to her case *

Jane Toppan Jane Toppan (born Honora Kelley; March 31, 1854 – August 17, 1938), nicknamed Jolly Jane, was an American serial killer who is known to have committed twelve murders in Massachusetts between 1895 and 1901; she confessed to a total of thirt ...

(1854–1938), American serial killer, nicknamed "Jolly Jane"

Entertainment

* Jane Adams (born 1965), American actress *Jane "Poni" Adams (1921–2014), American actress *

Jane Asher Jane Asher (born 5 April 1946)The International Who's Who of Women, 3rd edition, ed. Elizabeth Sleeman, Europa Publications, 2002, p. 29 is an English actress and author. She achieved early fame as a child actress and has worked extensively in f ...

(born 1946), English actress and author *

Jane Avril Jane Avril (9 June 186817 January 1943) was a French can-can dancer made famous by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec through his paintings. Extremely thin, "given to jerky movements and sudden contortions", she was nicknamed ''La Mélinite'', after a ...

(1868–1943), French dancer *

Jane Badler Jane Badler (born December 31, 1953) is an American-Australian actress and singer. She is known for her role as Diana, the main antagonist in NBC's science fiction series '' V'' between 1983 and 1985. Badler also appeared in ABC's version of '' ...

(born 1953), actress *

Jane Birkin Jane Mallory Birkin, Order of British Empire, OBE (born 14 December 1946) is an English-French singer and actress. She attained international fame and notability for her decade-long musical and romantic partnership with Serge Gainsbourg. She als ...

(born 1946), actress and singer *

Jane Bryan Jane Bryan (born Jane O'Brien, June 11, 1918 – April 8, 2009) was an American actress groomed by Warner Bros. to become one of its leading ladies but she chose to retire from acting in 1940 at age 22, after which she became a philanthropist an ...

(1918–2009), American actress *

Jane Campion Dame Elizabeth Jane Campion (born 30 April 1954) is a New Zealand filmmaker. She is best known for writing and directing the critically acclaimed films ''The Piano'' (1993) and '' The Power of the Dog'' (2021), for which she has received a tot ...

(born 1954), New Zealand filmmaker *

Jane Curtin Jane Therese Curtin (born September 6, 1947) is an American actress and comedian. First coming to prominence as an original cast member on the hit TV comedy series ''Saturday Night Live'' in 1975, she went on to win back-to-back Emmy Awards for ...

(born 1947), American actress and comedian *

Jane Darwell Jane Darwell (born Patti Woodard; October 15, 1879 – August 13, 1967) was an American actress of stage, film, and television. With appearances in more than 100 major movies spanning half a century, Darwell is perhaps best remembered for her p ...

(1879–1967), American actress * Jane De Leon (born 1998), Filipina actress *

Jane de Wet Jane de Wet is a South African actress and dancer. Personal life De Wet is from Somerset West, Western Cape. She first discovered performing arts as a dancer in a recital at De Hoop Primary School. She matriculated at Parel Vallei High School a ...

(born 1996), South African actress * Jane Fonda (born 1937), American actress, former fitness instructor, and daughter of actor

Henry Fonda Henry Jaynes Fonda (May 16, 1905 – August 12, 1982) was an American actor. He had a career that spanned five decades on Broadway and in Hollywood. He cultivated an everyman screen image in several films considered to be classics. Born and ra ...

Jane Foole Jane Foole, also known as Jane The Foole, Jane, The Queen's Fool, "Jeannne le Fol" or "Jane Hir Fole" ( fl. 1543–1558), was an English court jester. She was the jester of queens Catherine Parr and Mary I, and possibly also of Anne Boleyn. To ...

(fl. 1558), English court jester * Jane Garvey (born 1964), British radio presenter *

Jane Goldman Jane Loretta Anne Goldman''Births, Marriages & Deaths Index of England & Wales, 1916–2005.''; at ancestry.com (born 11 June 1970) is an English screenwriter, author and producer. With Matthew Vaughn, she co-wrote the screenplays of '' Kings ...

(born 1970), British writer and television presenter; wife of Jonathan Ross *

Ellie Goulding Elena Jane Goulding ( ; born 30 December 1986) is an English singer and songwriter. Her career began when she met record producers Starsmith and Frankmusik, and she was later spotted by Jamie Lillywhite, who became her manager and Artists and ...

(born 1986 as Elena Jane Goulding), British singer *

Jane Greer Jane Greer (born Bettejane Greer; September 9, 1924 – August 24, 2001) was an American film and television actress best known for her role as ''femme fatale'' Kathie Moffat in the 1947 film noir '' Out of the Past''. In 2009, ''The Guardian'' ...

(1924–2001), American actress *

Jane Horrocks Barbara Jane Horrocks (born 18 January 1964) is a British actress. She portrayed the roles of Bubble and Katy Grin in the BBC sitcom ''Absolutely Fabulous''. She was nominated for the 1993 Olivier Award for Best Actress for the title role in th ...

(born 1964), British actress *

Jane Kaczmarek Jane Frances Kaczmarek (; born December 21, 1955) is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Malcolm's mother Lois on the Fox television sitcom '' Malcolm in the Middle'' (2000–2006), which earned her three Golden Globe nominat ...

(born 1955), American actress *

Jane Krakowski Jane Krakowski (; ; born October 11, 1968) is an American actress, comedienne, and singer. She is best known for her starring role as Jenna Maroney in the NBC satirical comedy series ''30 Rock'' (2006–2013, 2020), for which she received four ...

(born 1968), American actress *

Jane Lapotaire Jane Elizabeth Marie Lapotaire (née Burgess; 26 December 1944) is an English actress. Biography Lapotaire was born in Ipswich, Suffolk, the daughter of Louise Elise (Burgess). Her stepfather, Yves Lapotaire, worked in the oil industry and was ...

(born 1944), English actress *

Jane Leeves Jane Elizabeth Leeves (born 18 April 1961) is an English actress. Leeves played Daphne Moon on the NBC television sitcom ''Frasier'' from 1993 until 2004, for which she was nominated for an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award. She also played ...

(born 1961), English actress *

Jane Lynch Jane Marie Lynch (born July 14, 1960) is an American actress, comedian and author. She is known for starring as Sue Sylvester in the musical comedy series '' Glee'' (2009–2015), which earned her a Primetime Emmy Award. Lynch also gained recog ...

(born 1960), American actress *

Jane March Jane March Horwood (born 20 March 1973) is an English film actress and former model. Early life and education March was born Jane March Horwood in Edgware, London. Her father, Bernard Horwood, was a design and technology secondary school teac ...

(born 1973), English actress *

Nightbirde Jane Kristen Marczewski (December 29, 1990 – February 19, 2022), known professionally as Nightbirde, was an American singer-songwriter. Previously having released two extended play, EPs and several singles, Nightbirde auditioned on ''America' ...

(1990–2022) (also known as Jane Marczewski), American singer * Jane McDonald (born 1963), English singer and television star *

Jane McGrath Jane Louise McGrath (née Steele; 4 May 1966 – 22 June 2008) was an England-born Australian cancer support campaigner, and the wife of former Australian cricket fast bowler Glenn McGrath. Background McGrath was born Jane Louise Steele on 4 ...

(born 1988), Irish actress *

Jane McGregor Jane McGregor (born 1983) is a Canadian actress, known for her roles in '' Slap Her... She's French'' (2002), '' Flower & Garnet'' (2002), and '' That Beautiful Somewhere'' (2006), as well as her recurring role on the television series ''Robson ...

(born 1983), Canadian actress *

Jane Monheit Jane Monheit (born November 3, 1977"Jane Monheit." ''Contemporary Musicians''. Vol. 33. Farmington Hills, MI: Gale, 2001. Retrieved via ''Biography in Context'' database, 2017-05-07.) is an American jazz and pop singer. Early life Monheit was b ...

(born 1977), American singer *

Jane Novak Jane Novak (born Johana Barbara Novak; January 12, 1896 – February 3, 1990) was an American actress of the silent film era. Background Jane Novak was born Johana Barbara Novak in St. Louis, Missouri to Bohemian immigrant Joseph Jerome Novak a ...

(1896–1990), American actress *

Jane Pickens Jane Pickens Hoving (10 August 1907 – 21 February 1992)DeLong, Thomas A. (1996). ''Radio Stars: An Illustrated Biographical Dictionary of 953 Performers, 1920 through 1960''. McFarland & Company, Inc. . P. 216-217. was an American singer on ...

(1907–1992), American singer and leader of The Pickens Sisters *

Jane Powell Jane Powell (born Suzanne Lorraine Burce; April 1, 1929 – September 16, 2021) was an American actress, singer, and dancer who first appeared in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer musicals in the 1940s and 50s. With her soprano voice and girl-next-door image ...

(1929–2021), American actress, singer and dancer *

Jane Rosenthal Jane Rosenthal (born September 21, 1956) is an American film producer.

(born 1956), American film producer *

Jane Russell Ernestine Jane Geraldine Russell (June 21, 1921 – February 28, 2011) was an American actress, singer, and model. She was one of Hollywood's leading sex symbols in the 1940s and 1950s. She starred in more than 20 films. Russell moved from th ...

(1921–2011), American actress and sex symbol *

Jane Seymour Jane Seymour (c. 150824 October 1537) was List of English consorts, Queen of England as the third wife of King Henry VIII of England from their Wives of Henry VIII, marriage on 30 May 1536 until her death the next year. She became queen followi ...

(born 1951), English actress *

Jane Sibbett Jane Moore Sibbett is an American actress. Her most notable roles include Heddy Newman on the Fox television series ''Herman's Head'' and Carol Willick on the television series ''Friends''. Early life Sibbett was born in Berkeley, California, th ...

(born 1962), American actress *

Jane Siberry Jane Siberry ( ; ; born 12 October 1955) is a Canadian singer-songwriter, known for such hits as " Mimi on the Beach", "I Muse Aloud", " One More Colour" and "Calling All Angels". She performed the theme song to the television series ''Maniac M ...

(born 1955), Canadian singer/songwriter, has changed her name to "Issa" * Jane Taylor (born 1972), English musician *

Jane Wiedlin Jane Marie Genevieve Wiedlin (born May 20, 1958) is an American musician and singer, best known as the co-founder, rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist of the new wave band The Go-Go's. She has also had a successful solo career. The Go-Go's w ...

(born 1958), American singer and rhythm guitarist, sometime member of the Go-Go's *

Jane Winton Jane Winton (October 10, 1905 – September 22, 1959) was an American film actress, dancer, opera soprano, writer, and painter. Early years Winton was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1905. The deaths of her father when she was four yea ...

(1905–1959), American actress, writer, dancer, painter and opera soprano *

Jane Withers Jane Withers (April 12, 1926 – August 7, 2021) was an American actress and children's radio show host. She became one of the most popular child stars in Hollywood in the 1930s and early 1940s, with her films ranking in the top ten list for ...

(1926–2021), American actress, model and singer *

Jane Wyatt Jane Waddington Wyatt ( ; August 12, 1910 – October 20, 2006) was an American actress. She starred in a number of Hollywood films, such as Frank Capra's ''Lost Horizon'', but is likely best known for her role as the housewife and mother Marga ...

(1910–2006), American actress *

Jane Wyman Jane Wyman ( ; born Sarah Jane Mayfield; January 5, 1917 – September 10, 2007)"Actress, P ...

(1917–2007), American actress and ex-wife of President Ronald Reagan *

Jane Zhang Jane Zhang (; born October 11, 1984) is a Chinese singer-songwriter. She is known for her signature whistle register and has been dubbed the " Dolphin Princess" (). Zhang began performing as a teenager by singing in pubs to help earn money for ...

(born 1984), Chinese singer-songwriter

History

Calamity Jane Martha Jane Cannary (May 1, 1852 – August 1, 1903), better known as Calamity Jane, was an American frontierswoman, sharpshooter, and storyteller. In addition to many exploits she was known for being an acquaintance of Wild Bill Hickok. Late ...

(1852–1903), U.S. frontierswoman *

Jane Addams Laura Jane Addams (September 6, 1860 May 21, 1935) was an American settlement activist, reformer, social worker, sociologist, public administrator, and author. She was an important leader in the history of social work and women's suffrage ...

(1860–1935), American Nobel Peace Prize-winning social worker and co-founder of Hull House *

Jane Kelley Adams Jane Kelley Adams (October 13/30, 1852 – April 17, 1924) was an American educator. She was always active in the educational work of her city and state, Woburn, Massachusetts. She served as president of the school board and was active among th ...

(1852-1924), American educator *

Jane Grace Alexander Jane Grace Alexander (October 26, 1848 – March 10, 1932) was an American banker, the first woman banker in New Hampshire. Alexander was elected treasurer of the Security Savings Banks in Winchester, New Hampshire. She worked at the city's nati ...

(1848-1932), American banker *

Jane Digby Jane Elizabeth Digby (3 April 1807 – 11 August 1881) was an English aristocrat, famed for her remarkable love life and lifestyle. She had four husbands and many lovers, including Lord Ellenborough, Governor-General of India, King Ludwig ...

(1807–1881), English adventurer *

Jane Franklin Jane, Lady Franklin (née Griffin; 4 December 1791 – 18 July 1875) was the second wife of the English explorer Sir John Franklin. During her husband's period as Lieutenant-Governor of Van Diemen's Land, she became known for her philanthropic ...

(née Griffin; 1791–1875), English explorer *

Jane Horney "Jane" Ebba Charlotta Horney (married Granberg), (8 July 1918 – 20 January 1945) was a Swedish woman, believed to have spied in Denmark for the benefit of Nazi Germany, and to have been killed by the Danish resistance movement on a fishing boat ...

(1918–1945), Swedish spy during WWII *

Jane Roe Norma Leah Nelson McCorvey (September 22, 1947 – February 18, 2017), also known by the pseudonym "Jane Roe", was the plaintiff in the landmark American legal case ''Roe v. Wade'' in which the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1973 that individual s ...

, alias of Norma McCorvey (1947–2017), plaintiff in the landmark 1973 ''Roe v. Wade'' Supreme Court case that legalized abortion in the United States

Literature

Jane Austen Jane Austen (; 16 December 1775 – 18 July 1817) was an English novelist known primarily for her six major novels, which interpret, critique, and comment upon the British landed gentry at the end of the 18th century. Austen's plots of ...

(1775–1817), British novelist, known for ''Emma'' and ''Pride and Prejudice'' *

Jane Bowles Jane Bowles (; born Jane Sydney Auer; February 22, 1917 – May 4, 1973) was an American writer and playwright. Early life Born into a Jewish family in New York City on February 22, 1917, to Sydney Auer (father) and Claire Stajer (mother), Jane ...

(1917–1973), American writer and playwright *

Jane T. H. Cross Jane T. H. Cross (, Chinn; after first marriage, Hardin; after second marriage, Cross; 1817 – October 1870) was an American author. She was, for some years, an occasional contributor of prose and poetry to the religious journals of the South. ...

(1817–1870), American author *

Jane Louise Curry Jane Louise Curry, born September 24, 1932, in East Liverpool, Ohio, is a prolific author of adventure, fantasy, mystery, time travel, and American Indian tales for older children and teenagers. She has written 39 books. Her novels include the f ...

(born 1932), American writer *

Jane Eaton Hamilton Eaton Hamilton (born July 19, 1954) is a Canadian short story writer, novelist, essayist and poet, who goes by "Hamilton", 2021 legal name “Eaton Hamilton" and uses they/their pronouns. Hamilton has published the novel ''Weekend'' (Arsenal P ...

(born 1954), Canadian author *

Jane Hamilton Jane Hamilton (born July 13, 1957) is an American novelist. Early life Jane Hamilton was born and grew up in Oak Park, Illinois (U.S.), the youngest of five children. She won prizes for poetry and short stories throughout high school and colleg ...

(born 1957), American author *

Jane Harvey (writer) Jane Harvey (1771–1848) was a Tyneside poet and novelist. She wrote both fiction and nonfiction, sometimes anonymously, and is best known for her romantic novels. Biography Jane Harvey was likely born in 1771 and was baptized in Gateshead on ...

(1771–1848) British poet and novelist *

Jane Jacobs Jane Jacobs (''née'' Butzner; 4 May 1916 – 25 April 2006) was an American-Canadian journalist, author, theorist, and activist who influenced urban studies, sociology, and economics. Her book '' The Death and Life of Great American Cities ...

(1916–2006), American-Canadian journalist, author, and urban theorist *

Jane Lindskold Jane M. Lindskold is an American writer of fantasy and science fiction short stories and novels. Early life Jane M. Lindskold was born on 15 September 1962, and grew up in Washington, D.C., and the Chesapeake Bay area. Jane is the first of fo ...

(born 1962), American author *

Jane Roberts Dorothy Jane Roberts (May 8, 1929 – September 5, 1984) was an American author, poet, psychic, and spirit medium, who channeled a personality who called himself "Seth." Her publication of the Seth texts, known as the ''Seth Material'', estab ...

(1929–1984), American author, poet, psychic, and spirit medium *

Jane Smiley Jane Smiley (born September 26, 1949) is an American novelist. She won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1992 for her novel ''A Thousand Acres'' (1991). Biography Born in Los Angeles, California, Smiley grew up in Webster Groves, Missouri, a s ...

(born 1949), American novelist *

Jane Agnes Stewart Jane Agnes Stewart (August 16, 1860 – February 2, 1944) was an American author, editor, and contributor to periodicals. She was a special writer for many journals on subjects related to woman's, religious, educational, sociological, and reform ...

(1860-1944), American author, editor, and contributor to periodicals *

Jane Suiter Jane Suiter is an Irish political scientist, professor and director of Dublin City University's Institute for Future Media, Democracy, and Society ("FuJo") and research lead of Ireland's Constitutional Convention and the Citizens' Assembly. S ...

, Irish journalist and academic * Jane Taylor (1783–1824), English poet and novelist *

Jane Urquhart Jane Urquhart, LL.D (born June 21, 1949) is a Canadian novelist and poet. She is the internationally acclaimed author of seven award-winning novels, three books of poetry and numerous short stories. As a novelist, Urquhart is well known for her e ...

(born 1949), Canadian novelist and poet *

Jane Wilde Jane Francesca Agnes, Lady Wilde (née Elgee; 27 December 1821 – 3 February 1896) was an Irish poet under the pen name Speranza and supporter of the nationalist movement. Lady Wilde had a special interest in Irish folktales, which she help ...

(1821–1896), Irish poet under the pen name Speranza *

Jane Wilde Hawking Jane Beryl Wilde Hawking Jones (born 29 March 1944) is an English author and teacher. She was married to Stephen Hawking for 30 years. Early life and education Jane was born to George and Beryl Wilde (). She grew up in St Albans, Hertfordshir ...

(born 1944), ex-wife of Stephen Hawking *

Jane Yolen Jane Hyatt Yolen (born February 11, 1939) is an American writer of fantasy, science fiction, and children's books. She is the author or editor of more than 350 books, of which the best known is '' The Devil's Arithmetic'', a Holocaust novella. H ...

(born 1939), American author

News media

Jane Elliott Jane Elliott (' Jennison; born on November 30, 1933) is an American diversity educator. As a schoolteacher, she became known for her "Blue eyes/Brown eyes" exercise, which she first conducted with her third-grade class on April 5, 1968, the da ...

(born 1933), American civil rights activist, known for "Blue eyes–Brown eyes" exercise. *

Jane Grant Jane Grant (May 29, 1892 – March 16, 1972) was a New York City journalist who co-founded ''The New Yorker'' with her first husband, Harold Ross. Life and career Jane Grant was born Jeanette Cole Grant in Joplin, Missouri, and grew up and w ...

(1892–1972) American journalist *

Jane Hill Jane Amanda Hill (born 10 June 1969 in Eastbourne, Sussex) is an English newsreader working for the BBC. She is one of the main presenters for BBC News, and is the main presenter on the '' BBC News at One'' and the '' BBC News at Five'', as w ...

(born 1969), British newsreader *

Jane Kramer Jane Kramer (born August 7, 1938) is an American journalist who is the European correspondent for ''The New Yorker''; she has written a regular "Letter from Europe" for twenty years. Kramer has also written nine books, the latest of which, ''Lone ...

(born 1938), American journalist *

Jane Pauley Margaret Jane Pauley (born October 31, 1950) is an American television host, and author, active in news reporting since 1972. Pauley first became widely known as Barbara Walters's successor on the NBC morning show ''Today'', beginning at the age ...

(born 1950), American television journalist *

Jane Pratt Jane Pratt (born November 11, 1962) is the founding editor of '' Sassy'', ''Jane and'' xoJane. She is the host of the talk show ''Jane Radio'' on Sirius XM Radio. Early life Jane Pratt was born in San Francisco, California, to Sheila Marks Blake ...

(born 1962), American magazine editor and publisher

Politics

Jane Harman Jane Margaret Lakes Harman (born June 28, 1945) is the former U.S. Representative for , serving from 1993 to 1999, and from 2001 to 2011; she is a member of the Democratic Party. Harman was the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committ ...

(born 1945), member of the United States House of Representatives, representing California's 36th congressional district *

Jane Irwin Harrison Jane Harrison ( ''née'' Irwin; July 23, 1804 – May 11, 1845 or 1847) briefly acted as first lady of the United States, performing the duties of presidential hostess during the administration of her father-in-law William Henry Harrison, th ...

(1804–1845), first lady of the United States *

(born 1936), Australian politician *

Jenny (Jane) Kenney Jane "Jenny" Kenney (1884–1961) also known as Jennie, was a British suffragette and Montessori teacher, who supported her sisters Annie Kenney and Jessie Kenney in the Women's Social and Political Union. She later became joint principal of an ...

(1884–1961) also known as Jennie, British suffragette and Montessori teacher *

Jane Muskie Jane Frances Muskie (''née'' Gray; February 12, 1927 – December 25, 2004) was an American civic leader and writer who, as the wife of Edmund Muskie, served as First Lady of Maine from 1955 to 1959. She was an active campaigner for her husband, ...

(1927–2004), First Lady of Maine *

Jane Pierce Jane Means Pierce (née Appleton; March 12, 1806 – December 2, 1863) was the wife of Franklin Pierce and the first lady of the United States from 1853 to 1857. She married Franklin Pierce, then a Congressman, in 1834 despite her family's misgiv ...

(1806–1863), first lady of the United States from 1853 to 1857 *Florence Jane Short (aka Rachel Peace) (1881 – ''died after'' 1932), British feminist and suffragette *Jane Swift (born 1965), American politician, acting governor of Massachusetts from 2001-2003 *Jane Lomax-Smith, Australian politician

Religion

*Jane Elizabeth Faulding (1843–1904), British Protestant Christian missionary *Jane Frances de Chantal (1572–1641), French saint

Royalty and nobility

*Jane Boleyn, Viscountess Rochford (1505–1542) *Jane Fellowes, Baroness Fellowes (born 1957) *Lady Jane Grey (1537–1554), Queen of England, also known as "Jane of England" *Jane Lane, Lady Fisher (1626–1689), played a heroic role in the escape of Charles II in 1651 *Jane Loeau (1828–1873), Hawaiian noble lady *Jane Seymour (1508–1537), Queen and wife of King Henry VIII of England *Jane Spencer, Baroness Churchill (1826–1900) *Jane Wharton, 7th Baroness Wharton (1706–1761)

Science

*Jane Ammons (born 1953), American industrial engineer *Jane Colden (1724–1766), American botanist *Jane F. Gentleman, Jane Forer Gentleman (born 1940), American and Canadian statistician *Jane Goodall (born 1934), English primatologist, known for studying chimpanzees and founder of the Jane Goodall Institute *Jane Lord Hersom (1840–1928), American physician, suffragist *Jane Hutton, British statistician *Jane Loevinger (1918–2008), American developmental psychologist *Jane Luu (born 1963), Vietnamese-American astronomer and defense systems engineer *Jane McGrath (1966–2008), co-founder of the McGrath Foundation

Sport

*Jane Barkman (born 1951), American swimmer *Jane Burley (born 1971), Scottish field hockey midfielder *Jane Cederqvist (born 1945), Swedish swimmer *Jane Frederick (born 1952), American heptathlete *Jane Haist (born 1949), Canadian discus thrower and shot putter *Jane Joseph (cricketer), Jane Joseph, Trinidadian cricketer *Jane Katz (born 1943), American swimmer *Jane Patterson, Canadian judoka *Jane Salumäe (born 1968), Estonian long-distance runner *Jayne Torvill (born 1957), British ice-dancer and 1984 Olympic gold medalist with partner Christopher Dean * Jane Weiller (1912–1989), American golfer

Fictional Janes

In law

Jane Doe or Jane Roe is used in American law as a placeholder name for anonymous or unknown female participants in legal proceedings Jane Doe is used in United States police investigations when the identity of a female victim is unknown or incorrect, and by hospitals to refer to a female corpse or patient whose identity is unknown.

Characters in animation

* Jane Doe, on the animated series ''List of characters in Camp Lazlo#Ms. Jane Doe, Camp Lazlo'' *Jane Jetson, from the animated series ''The Jetsons'' *Jane Lane (Daria), Jane Lane, on the television show ''Daria'' * Jane Dickey, on the short-lived series ''Welcome to Eltingville''

Comic book characters

*Jane Foster (comics), Jane Foster, a Marvel Comics character *Painkiller Jane, a comic book character that spawned a made-for-TV movie and a TV series

Characters in literature

*Jane (Ender's Game), Jane, an AI character first introduced in Orson Scott Card's ''Speaker for the Dead'' *Jane of the Volturi Coven, a character in the ''Twilight (novel series), Twilight'' series of novels by Stephenie Meyer *Jane Crocker, a character in the webcomic ''Homestuck'' by Andrew Hussie *Dick and Jane, characters by Zerna Sharp *Jane (Ender's Game), Jane, an entity resembling modern conceptions of AI, from the ''Ender's Game'' series * Jane, in ''Jane and the Dragon'' franchise * Jane, any of three characters in Cecil Castellucci#The P.L.A.I.N. Janes (2007), ''The P.L.A.I.N. Janes'', 2007 comic & sequels, by Cecil Castellucci *Jane, Wendy Darling's daughter from J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan mythos; Jane was also the central character in the Disney ''Peter Pan'' movie sequel, ''Return to Neverland'' *Jane Banks, one of Mary Poppins (book series)#Banks children, the Banks' children in the ''Mary Poppins'' books, film, and stage musical *Jane Bennet, in Pride and Prejudice#Jane Bennet, ''Pride and Prejudice'', the eldest sister of the Bennet family *Jane Eyre (character), Jane Eyre, the titular character of a famous novel by Charlotte Brontë and several film adaptations * Jane Gallagher, a character in ''The Catcher in the Rye'', one of the few girls whom Holden both respects and finds attractive *Baby Jane Hudson, the titular character in the novel and film ''What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?'' *Miss Marple (first name Jane), an amateur detective created by Agatha Christie *Jane Porter (Tarzan), Jane Porter, the sweetheart of Tarzan *List of The Power of Five characters#Jayne Deverill, Jayne Deverill, a Yorkshire witch in the ''Power of Five'' series by Anthony Horowitz *That Hideous Strength#Characters, Jane Studdock, protagonist in ''That Hideous Strength'' by C.S. Lewis

Characters in TV, film, and theater

* Jane (7th Heaven), Jane, on ''7th Heaven'' *Jane Sloan, from the TV series ''The Bold Type'' *Jane Christie, from the TV series ''Coupling (British TV series), Coupling'' *Jane Beale (previously Collins), from the BBC soap opera ''EastEnders'' *Jayne Cobb, a male character on the sci-fi series ''Firefly'' *''G.I. Jane'', a 1997 war movie, with Demi Moore in the leading role *Jane Mancini, on ''Melrose Place'' and the 2009 remake *Jane Vaughn (Degrassi character), Jane Vaughn, in ''Degrassi: The Next Generation'' * List of Jane the Virgin characters#Jane Villanueva, Jane Gloriana Villanueva, main character of television series ''Jane the Virgin'' *Jane Margolis, in the television series ''Breaking Bad'' *Jane Rizzoli, in the television series ''Rizzoli & Isles'' *Jane Hopper, also known as Eleven, a main character in the Netflix series ''Stranger Things'' *List of Arthur characters, Jane Read, character in the ''Arthur'' book and television series

Characters in video games

*Jane, List of minor Tekken characters#Jane, a minor female character in the ''Tekken'' video game series *Jane Shepard, a playable female version of Commander Shepard in the role-playing third-person shooter ''Mass Effect'' series; "Jane Shepard" is the default name for any new female Shepard character that is built in-game, although any name can be entered *Jane Doe, a male character most commonly known as "The Soldier" in the popular class-based shooter game ''Team Fortress 2''

In technology

* Jane, an available voice on devices from TomTom

Notes

{{DEFAULTSORT:Jane (Given Name) Given names of Hebrew language origin Circassian feminine given names English feminine given names Scottish feminine given names Welsh feminine given names