← All names

Janine

Girl name · 423 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Janine: 423 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 33 births in 1982.

Janine is a French diminutive of Jeanne, itself the feminine form of John, ultimately from the Hebrew Yochanan, meaning "God is gracious." The name became popular in English-speaking countries during the mid-20th century, often seen as a softer alternative to Jane or Jean. One of its most famous bearers was Janine Turner, the American actress best known for playing Maggie O'Connell in the 1990s television series *Northern Exposure*. While no major places are named directly for a Janine, the root name John has inspired countless place names, from San Juan to Johannesburg. In Scotland, Janine saw a spike in popularity during the 1970s and 1980s, often spelled Janine, though the variant Janine is also common, and it shares a graceful, melodic feel with other French-inspired favourites like Corinne or Christine.