Janelle

Janelle is an English feminine name that originated as an elaborated form of Jane, itself the English equivalent of the Old French Jehanne, derived from the Latin Johanna and ultimately from the Hebrew Yohanan, meaning God is gracious. The -elle suffix, borrowed from French diminutive patterns, gave the name a softer, more elaborate sound and became popular in the twentieth century. Variants and related forms include Janel, Janella, and the simpler Jane, along with cognates such as Joan, Jean, and Joanna.