Janice

Janice is an English name that originated as an elaboration of Jane, itself the feminine form of John, which derives from the Hebrew name Yohanan meaning "God is gracious." The form Janice appears to have been coined in the early twentieth century, popularized in part by Paul Leicester Ford's 1899 novel Janice Meredith, whose heroine brought the name wider attention. It enjoyed considerable popularity in the mid-twentieth century, particularly in the United States. Related forms include Janis, Janise, and the simpler Jane.