Janice is a modern feminine given name, first used by American author Paul Leicester Ford for the heroine of his 1899 novel Janice Meredith. It is an elaborated form of Jane, which itself is the medieval English feminine form of Jehanne, an Old French form of Iohannes (see John). Thus, the ultimate meaning of Janice traces back to the Hebrew name Yohanan, meaning 'God is gracious' or 'graced by God'.Etymology and OriginFord created the name by adding the suffix -ice to Jane, a common feminine name that gained popularity in the 17th century, surpassing Joan. Jane itself comes from the Hebrew Yohanan, which is a shortened form of Yehohanan, derived from the elements yeho (a reference to the God of Israel) and khen (meaning 'grace, favor'). The name John, ultimately from the same root, means 'God is gracious.'Notable BearersWhile the name Janice was purely literary at first, it eventually caught on as a given name in the 20th century. Real-life bearers include the American singer Janis Joplin (with the spelling variant Janis) and actress Janice Dickinson. It has also been used in fiction, such as Janice Battersby in the soap opera Coronation Street, Janice from The Muppet Show (the only female member of the Electric Mayhem), and Janice in the video game Chrono Cross.Cultural SignificanceSince its invention, Janice has remained a well-known name, particularly in the United States and other English-speaking countries. It shares its root with many variants, including the spelling variant Janis, as well as elaborated forms like Janessa and Janae. Diminutives of Jane such as Janet and Janelle are also related.Meaning: 'God is gracious' (ultimate derivation)Origin: Created by Paul Leicester Ford for his novel Janice Meredith (1899)Type: Feminine given name, elaboration of JaneUsage: English-speaking regions, especially United States