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Janice

Girl name · 458 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Janice: 458 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 65 births in 1974.

Of Hebrew origin via the New Testament, Janice is an English feminine form of John, meaning 'God is gracious.' The name gained popularity in the English-speaking world during the 20th century, frequently appearing in Scottish registers from the 1970s onwards. Its most famous bearer was the American singer and actress Janis Joplin, though her spelling adds a second 's'. A further Scottish connection exists in the island of Jura, which shares a root with the name—both ultimately derive from the Hebrew name Yochanan. Janice has a close variant in Janis, and the name evokes the bright, domestic energy of the 1950s and 60s, though it has become less common since the 1990s.