Janice is a female given name of English origin. It was created as a diminutive of Jane, which itself is derived from the Latin personal name "Johanna," meaning "God is gracious" or "graced by God." The name Janice has been in use since the 19th century but gained significant popularity in the mid-20th century. It was particularly popular in English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia during the 1940s to the 1960s. Today, it is considered a classic name that has maintained its popularity throughout the years.
The name Janice has a rich history and varied popularity over the years in the United States. Between 1894 and 2023, there were a total of 406,291 babies named Janice born in the U.S.
The earliest recorded births with the name Janice occurred in 1894, with only five girls being given this name that year. The number of births increased steadily over the following years, reaching double digits by 1899 with thirteen births.
The early 20th century saw a significant rise in popularity for the name Janice. In 1906, there were fifty-one births, more than doubling the previous year's total of twenty-four. This upward trend continued, and by 1914, there were 225 babies named Janice.
The years between 1915 and 1930 marked a period of substantial growth for the name Janice. The number of births jumped from 285 in 1915 to a peak of 1,930 in 1930. This significant increase suggests that the name Janice was becoming more widely accepted and favored among parents during this time.
The mid-20th century saw fluctuations in popularity for the name Janice. The highest point during this period occurred in 1946 with 14,038 births. However, the number of births gradually declined afterward, reaching a low of 362 in 1995.
The late 20th century and early 21st century have seen a continued decrease in the popularity of the name Janice. From 1995 onwards, there were fewer than 400 births each year, with some years even falling below 200 births. In recent years, the number of babies named Janice has remained relatively stable, with around 90-100 births per year.
Despite its fluctuations in popularity over time, the name Janice has maintained a consistent presence in the United States, with thousands of girls being given this name across more than a century.