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Janey

Girl name · 60 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Janey: 60 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 8 births in 1977.

A familiar Scottish diminutive of Jane, Janey shares its roots with John, ultimately from the Hebrew Yochanan, meaning “God is gracious.” It rose to prominence through figures such as Janey Godley, the outspoken Glasgow-born comedian whose sharp wit and viral protests made her a household name, and Janey Buchan, a pioneering Scottish Labour politician and Member of the European Parliament. While no major places bear the name directly, the root “Jan” appears in many place names across Europe. A charming variant of Janie, Janey carries a warm, approachable feel and has become a distinctly Scottish favourite, often used independently rather than as a mere nickname—a trend reflecting the nation’s love for affectionate, no-nonsense names.