"God is gracious"
Origin: Hebrew via Latin and French
Language: English
Janice
Pronunciation: [ j-AN-uhs ]
Girl Name
#2,252 Most Popular
Hidden Gem
2 Syllables
Graceful mid-century classic ready for rediscovery
American
English
Australian
Vintage
Classic
Traditional
Sophisticated
Meaning & Origin
Things to Know About This Name
- Strongly associated with the Friends character Janice Litman-Goralnik, known for her nasal laugh — this association is inescapable for millennials and Gen Z
The Story of Janice
Janice is an English elaboration of Jane, itself derived from the Old French Jehanne, from the Latin Iohannes, from the Hebrew Yochanan meaning God is gracious. The -ice suffix (as in Candice, Bernice) was fashionable in English naming from the late 19th through mid-20th century, giving classic names a more feminine, elaborate feel.
Janice was extremely popular in the United States and UK from the 1930s through 1960s, peaking around the 1950s. Its association with that era has made it feel dated to younger parents, though it may be due for a retro revival as grandparent names come back into fashion.
Janice represents the naming trends of mid-20th century America, when -ice and -ine endings were fashionable feminine suffixes. Rock legend Janis Joplin (a variant spelling) gave the name a countercultural edge in the 1960s.
Fun Facts
- Janis Joplin (1943-1970) was ranked the 46th greatest artist of all time by Rolling Stone magazine
- The Friends character Janice, famous for saying Oh my God and her distinctive laugh, is one of the most memorable recurring TV characters of the 1990s
Janice in Other Languages
French
Janice
German
Janice
English
Janice
Spanish
Janice
Famous People Named Janice
J
Janis Joplin
Musician
1943
American rock and blues singer considered one of the greatest vocalists in rock history, known for Piece of My Heart
J
Janice Litman-Goralnik Fictional
Other
Recurring character from the TV sitcom Friends (1994-2004), famous for her nasal Oh my God catchphrase
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,252
- Total SSA Count
- 83
- Cultural Origins
- American English Australian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Jan
Janie
Pairs Well With
Janice Marie
Janice Louise
Janice Ann
Janice Kay
Janice Lynn
Janice Lee
Janice Claire
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Janice is also used as a boy name, ranked #31553.
View Janice as a boy name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Janice and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Janice sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Frequently Asked Questions About Janice
What does the name Janice mean?
"God is gracious" (from Hebrew via Latin and French). Janice is an English elaboration of Jane, itself derived from the Old French Jehanne, from the Latin Iohannes, from the Hebrew Yochanan meaning God is gracious. The -ice suffix (as in Candice, Bernice) was fashionable in English naming from the late 19th through mid-20th century, giving classic names a more feminine, elaborate feel.
What is the origin of the name Janice?
Janice has Hebrew via Latin and French, American, English, and Australian origins. In Hebrew via Latin and French, it means "God is gracious".
Is Janice a boy or girl name?
Janice is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #2252. As a boy name, it is ranked #31553. Janice is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Janice?
Janice is pronounced j-AN-uhs.
How popular is the name Janice?
Janice is currently ranked #2252 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Janice?
Common nicknames for Janice include Jan and Janie.
What are good middle names for Janice?
Popular middle name pairings include Janice Marie, Janice Louise, Janice Ann, Janice Kay, Janice Lynn, Janice Lee, and Janice Claire.
What are good sibling names for Janice?
Names that pair well with Janice as siblings include Donna, Carol, Linda, Dennis, Gary, and Michael.
How many syllables does Janice have?
Janice has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Janice a common or rare name?
Janice is an uncommon name, ranked #2252 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Janice
Janice is a girl name with American, English, and Australian origins . The name means "God is gracious" in Hebrew via Latin and French .
Is Janice a boy or girl name? Janice is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #2,252 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #31,553. Janice is more commonly used as a girl name.
Janice is currently ranked #2,252 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Janice has 2 syllables and is pronounced j-AN-uhs, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Janice include Jan and Janie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Janice include Janiyah, Janie, Janiya, Janiah, Jania . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.