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.
"Janie seems to have been quite popular as a baby girl name from the early 1930s through the late 1940s and again in the mid-1970s, with peaks of over eight births per year during these periods. However, it wasn't very common before the 1930s or after the late 1980s, with fewer than five Janies born each year during these times."