Janice
Janice is a modern elaboration of Jane, itself from the Hebrew "Yochanan," meaning "God is gracious." The "-ice" suffix appears to be a 19th-century coinage, possibly modeled on names like Bernice or Clarice. The name first appears in records around 1880 and became wildly popular in the mid-20th century. Janice was a top-100 American name from 1932 to 1962, peaking at #21 in 1944. The peak was so concentrated that Janice now reads as definitively mid-century. Janis Joplin (1943-1970), the rock singer who misspelled her name to honor Janis Ian, was one of the greatest vocalists of the 20th century — "Piece of My Heart" (1968) and "Me and Bobby McGee" (1970) defined an era. I find Janice slightly heavy — the "J" opening is firm, and the "ice" ending gives it a slightly blunt quality. The name has been outside the US top 1000 since 2007 and is unlikely to return soon. But Janis Joplin's intensity gave the name a rock-and-roll dimension that few mid-century names possess. Janice is a female name of Hebrew (modern coinage) origin that means "God is gracious (modern elaboration of Jane)". Mid-century, capable, and a little rock-and-roll. The name sounds friendly. Janices tend to be direct. US peaked #21 in 1944. Outside top 1000 since 2007. Well-known people named Janice include Janis Joplin (singer), Janice (modern coinage), Janice Dickinson (model), Janice (fictional, various). Common variations and related forms of Janice include Janis (variant spelling), Janyce (modern), Janiece (modern), Jan (short form).