girls' name · peaked 1947

Jane

Variant of Jeanne, from French Jeanne, from Middle French Jehanne, from Medieval Latin Johanna, variant of Latin Ioanna under influence from Latin Iōhannēs, from Koine…

Every Jane since 1880 — 381,009 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
1.883.755.637.518801900192019401960198020002020GirlsBoys
GirlsBoys
Rank 2025
#221
among girls
Babies in 2025
1,380
named Jane
Peak year
1947
9,961 babies
All-time total
381,009
since 1880

The story of Jane

Jane is moderately common for girls in the United States, ranked #221 in 2025 with 1,380 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.

Since 1880, 381,009 American babies have been named Jane. Its peak came in 1947, when 9,961 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1940s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Jane stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Jane year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year Girls Girls rank Boys Boys rank
2025 1,380 #221
2024 1,186 #269
2023 1,116 #281
2022 1,089 #290
2021 1,172 #266
2020 1,169 #264
2019 1,189 #277
2018 1,133 #290
2017 1,157 #282
2016 1,135 #279
2015 1,112 #290
2014 1,026 #322
2013 898 #357
2012 927 #343
2011 868 #368
2010 833 #385
2009 831 #386
2008 826 #389
2007 775 #424
2006 665 #477
2005 651 #472
2004 657 #459
2003 704 #427 5 #11,652
2002 696 #417
2001 671 #423
2000 647 #437
1995 618 #419
1990 773 #346 8 #6,078
1985 709 #335 9 #4,476
1980 775 #312
1975 782 #300 5 #5,838
1970 1,601 #202
1965 3,927 #95 16 #2,032
1960 6,586 #67 19 #1,880
1955 8,343 #50 17 #1,931
1950 8,964 #39 20 #1,678
1945 7,639 #36 17 #1,658
1940 5,091 #47 29 #1,265
1935 4,646 #43 18 #1,684
1930 4,575 #55 21 #1,625
1925 4,881 #53 24 #1,557
1920 5,054 #48 9 #3,075
1915 3,264 #69 15 #1,924
1910 709 #116 6 #1,504
1905 393 #151
1900 495 #128
1895 394 #119
1890 372 #108
1885 330 #91
1880 215 #98

Famous people named Jane

  1. Jane Austen Writer · 1775–1817
  2. Jane Seymour Companion · 1508–1537
  3. Jane Fonda Actor · b. 1937
  4. Jane Birkin Actor · b. 1946
  5. Jane Goodall Anthropologist · b. 1934

Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Jane mean?

Variant of Jeanne, from French Jeanne, from Middle French Jehanne, from Medieval Latin Johanna, variant of Latin Ioanna under influence from Latin Iōhannēs, from Koine Greek Ἰωάννα (Iōánna), from Hebrew יוֹחָנָה (Yôḥānāh,…

How popular is the name Jane in 2025?

Jane ranked #221 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 1,380 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Jane?

381,009 babies have been named Jane in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Jane most popular?

Jane peaked in 1947, when 9,961 newborns received the name.

Is Jane a boy or girl name?

Jane is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Jane rising or falling?

Jane is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Jane?

Well-known people named Jane include Jane Austen (writer), Jane Seymour (companion), Jane Fonda (actor).

Names like Jane

Compare Jane with similar names →