International Variations of Jane

  1. Jeanette
    • Origin:

      French, diminutive of Jeanne
    • Description:

      Relic of a past period of French favorites, out to pasture with Claudette and Paulette.
  2. Shawn
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Sean
    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"
    • Description:

      Shawn is one name that's become less unisex and more distinctly male over time in all its spellings, given to only 14 baby girls and over 500 boys in the US in the most recent year counted. But at its peak in the early 1970s, it was a Top 200 baby name for girls in the US, given to nearly 2000 baby girls... and 12,000 boys in this spelling alone.
  3. Ivana
    • Origin:

      Feminine variation of Ivan
    • Description:

      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.
  4. Iana
    • Origin:

      Latin, Slavic variation of Jane
    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"
    • Description:

      In Roman mythology, Iana was an epithet of Diana, goddess of the moon.
  5. Zanna
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Susanna; Polish variation of Jane
    • Description:

      A feminine multicultural nickname name perfectly able to stand on its own.
  6. Iva
    • Ivanka
      • Origin:

        Variation of Ivana
      • Meaning:

        "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.
    • Jeanine
      • Origin:

        French variation of Jean
      • Meaning:

        "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.
    • Hanne
      • Origin:

        Danish, Norwegian, German, Dutch
      • Meaning:

        "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.
    • Jennie
      • Origin:

        Diminutive of Janet, Jane, Jean, and Jennifer
      • Description:

        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 Gaelic
      • Meaning:

        "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.
    • Janine
      • Origin:

        French variation of Jane
      • Description:

        Has lost all trace of its French accent.
    • Janica
      • Origin:

        Variation of Jannik
      • Meaning:

        "God is gracious"
      • Description:

        With its upbeat Slavic/Scandinavian air, it has the most potential of all the Jan names.
    • Jenica
      • Origin:

        Romanian variation of Jane
      • Meaning:

        "God's gracious gift"
      • Description:

        Jenica might work if you can't decide between Jennifer and Jessica. It's certainly a more distinctive option.
    • Ivanna
      • Origin:

        Feminine of Ivan, which is itself a variation of John
      • Description:

        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.
    • Juana
      • Origin:

        Spanish, feminine variation of Juan
      • Description:

        Juana has not achieved the popularity in the U.S. of the male version Juan. Whereas Juan has made it almost to the Top 50 on the U. S. hit parade, sister Juana has barely entered the thousand most popular.
    • Ioanna
      • Origin:

        Greek variation of Joanna
      • Description:

        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.
    • Zhanna
      • Origin:

        Russian variation of Jane
      • Description:

        Makes Jane anything but plain.
    • Janne
      • Origin:

        Danish and Norwegian diminutive of Johanna
      • Meaning:

        "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.
    • Jutta