Janie is a name of French origin that means "God is gracious." It is a variant spelling of the name Jane, which was derived from the Latin name "Iohannes," meaning "God is gracious" or "gift from God."
The name Janie has a long history and has been used in various cultures throughout time. In English-speaking countries, it became popular during the 19th century and remained so for several decades before declining in usage.
In literature, the most famous character named Janie is Janie Crawford, the protagonist of Zora Neale Hurston's novel "Their Eyes Were Watching God," published in 1937. This novel brought the name Janie into prominence again, as it was praised for its portrayal of African American women's experiences.
Today, Janie is still a popular name among parents looking for unique and meaningful names for their daughters. Its meaning, "God is gracious," continues to resonate with many people who choose this name for their children. Despite its French origins, Janie has been adopted by various cultures around the world and can be found in many different countries today.
The name Janie has seen varying levels of popularity over the years in the United States. Between 1914 and 2014, there were a total of 276 births registered with the name Janie.
Looking at the annual statistics, we can see that the name was most popular in the late 1930s and early 1940s, with peaks of 14 births in 1935, 13 births in 1942, and 8 births in both 1945 and 1947. However, it seems that the name's popularity began to decline after the 1960s, with fewer than 10 births per year from 1969 onwards.
Despite this decrease in popularity, Janie remains a name with historical significance in the United States, having been given to over two hundred babies during its peak years. It is important to note that while these statistics provide an overview of the name's usage, they do not account for any potential spelling variations or nicknames that may be associated with the name Janie.
In conclusion, while Janie may not be one of the most popular names in recent years, it has a notable history in the United States and continues to be a unique and meaningful choice for parents today.