The Baby Name Wizard

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Comments and insights on the name Janice: | Edit

My name was never shortened by family or school, and I now often correct people if they call me Jan, I let them know my name is Janice. I have encountered several people in the workplace mostly older with the same name, but now very rarely seen in younger women. At a younger age I too did not like the name, now at age 53 I have come to accept and appreciate the name. Who wants a name that everyone else has?

Except for medical or legal purposes, I use the nickname Jan exclusively. When someone calls me Janice, I know they're either blood kin or total strangers. I loathed my name as a child, and still wince when I hear it said, even if it isn't in reference to me. Primarily, I felt it was unnecessarily long -- by the time anyone got the "Jan . . ." part out of their mouths, they had my attention already. Whenever I worked with other Janices, I would diplomatically defer to their decision to go by the whole name, thereby using my nickname, which I much preferred.

At 25, I also have never really liked my name Janice and basically no one calls me by this name unless near strangers. I always go by Jan which is a name I have grown to like more as I've gotten older.

Personal experiences with the name Janice: | Edit

I only ever met one or two other Janices in any school I was ever in. While a common enough name, it wasn't until recently that I had to be asked how to spell it. Janis was never a very common spelling 50 years ago, I guess.

I also knew only one or two other Janices while in school -- now I seem to meet 30- to 50-year old Janices everywhere! Most people tried to pronounce it "Ja-neece" to rhyme with "Denise."

I know several other Janices, all older than me by a ways and I've never had a problem with pronunciation. I am often surprised how many people think my name is spelled "Janis" since I don't personally know anyone's who is.

Nicknames for Janice: | Edit

Jan, Jay-nice

Meanings and history of the name Janice: | Edit

A derivative from the Roman god Janus, the god of the hearthway with two heads seeing both directions. Meanings extend to a protector of the home, able to see both sides of an argument.

Famous real-life people named Janice: | Edit

Janis Joplin - '60s rock singer
Jan Berenstain -- co-author of "The Berenstain Bears" children's books (born: Janice Grant)
Janice Dickinson -- modeling agency owner, host of reality TV show "The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency."
Janice Lynde --- actress, best known for her work on soaps "General Hospital," "Another World" and "One Life to Live."

Janice in song, story & screen: | Edit

Janice Vickery is the girl who boils a cat for her science project in the play, "The Effect of Gamma-Rays on Man in the Moon Marigolds
Janice is the lead guitar player for the Electric Mayhem on Sesame Street.
Janice Litman was a recurring character on the sitcom, Friends.
Janice Meredith was the title of a 1924 film starring Marion Davies as the eponymous character.
Janice Beard 45 WPM was the title of a 1999 British independent film starring Eileen Walsh in the title role.
Janice Battersby, is a character on the British soap opera, Coronation Street.
Janice Rand was the name of a yeoman aboard the USS Enterprise on the original Star Trek TV series.
'Ask For Janice' is a song written and performed by the Beasties Boys on the album Paul's Boutique in 1995.
'Blues For Janice' is a song performed by singer and guitarist, Chris Rhea.
'The Day Janice Lost Her Teeth' is a song performed by musical group, The Hartwells.
'Get Down Janice' is a song performed by The E&E Blues Express.
Songs titled 'Janice' have been recorded by musical groups; Associates, Planet Smashers, The Luchigores, My Id, Doll By Doll, Skip Mahoney and the Casuals, Water Bear, The Fendermen, Rob Batie and Dave Grisman