Female Version of Jonathan, Johnny, John, and Jack

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Female Version of Jonathan, Johnny, John, and Jack

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It is understandable that there are many male names that have female variations. Many of these male names date back over hundreds of years and so their female counterparts have been born out of necessity or to honor a male relative.

We have put together a list of female versions of Jonathan, Johnny, Jack, and John to give you some inspiration for your baby name.

Feminine Versions Of Jonathan

The name Jonathan is of Hebrew origin and means God has given. The name is a shortened version of Jonathan which means Yahweh has given.

Yahweh is the god of the Israelites and his name was revealed to Moses in the form of four Hebrew consonants. The name does also appear in the Old Testament in which Jonathan was the oldest son of King Saul and was a man of great strength.

Jonathan is one of the most popular names with such strong biblical connections and it is featured in other languages worldwide. It has been in the US charts since 1880, and around the 1940s its popularity started to increase steadily.

It is primarily a male name but there are some feminine alternatives that you may find just as appealing.

Joanne

A name of English origin and that means “God is gracious.” The name is used worldwide and although not quite as popular as it once was it still remains in the top 1000 baby names 

Joanna

It means “God is gracious” and is of English origin. This name peaked in popularity in the 80s thanks to the ballad of the same name by Kool & The Gang.

Feminine Versions Of John/Johnny

John is a very popular name, both traditional and has biblical origins. John is derived from the Hebrew Yohanan and means graced by God. 

John first appeared in its Hebrew form in the Old Testament. The name was then adapted in the New Testament to Ioannes and then became Johannes in Latin and later the more familiar John in English. Johnny is a diminutive form of John.

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Jackie

Of English origin and means supplanter. It is also a diminutive form of Jacqueline.

Jacqueline

Originally of French origin and means supplanter. This is the feminine version of Jacques.

Jana

The name is of Slavic origin and means God is gracious. In many languages, John became Jan which led to the feminine form Janna or Jana.

Jane

Of English origin and means God is gracious. This is a traditional name that is sure to be timeless and sophisticated.

Sian

A name of Welsh origin and means God’s gracious gift. This name is very close to Sean which is a cousin of John. Rarely seen in the US, you are more likely to see Sean as a girl’s name.

Janet

English in origin and means God is gracious. The name was originally a diminutive of Jane and peaked in popularity in the 1950s. This does mean that if you do know someone called Janet the chances are that they will be of the older generation.

Jeannie

Primarily a name of French origin and means God is gracious. It is a diminutive form of Jean

Joan

This is the medieval English version of Johanne, which is the old French form of Iohanna. The name is derived from the word John, which is taken from the Hebrew name Yochanan and means Yahweh is gracious.

Feminine Versions Of Jack

Jack is a male name of English origin and means God is gracious. It was originally a nickname for the name John but has now become a given name on its own. When the name is used as a short form of Jackson, its meaning changes to a son of Jack/John.

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Jacqui

Originally a pet form of Jack or John. Jacqui is of English origin and means supplanter it si also the diminutive form of Jacqueline.

Jacinth

Of Greek origin and means hyacinth flower.

Imported Feminine Versions 

Jack, John, and Jonathan all have female variations many of which are surprising. But there are some that are not a direct version of the male names but are more of elaboration or import.

Here are some of our favorite unusual imports:

Giovanna, Gianna, Giannina, Giovanetta

These are the Italian feminine forms of  Iohannes. The shortened form is Gianna as well as Gia.

Ivana, Ivanka

Ivan is a common Slavic male name with Ivana being the most common feminine form. 

Jan, Jana, Janna

In Dutch, German, Scandinavian, and Slavic languages John became Jan. Jan then led on to the feminine form of Jana and Janna.

Janice

This name is simply an elaboration of Jane although Janice can not claim the same medieval roots.

Jolene, Joette, Joetta, Joelle

As with any other name that begins with Jo – can come from John. Joette and Joetta are both rare forms only found in medieval English. Jolene was immortalized by the Dolly Parton song of the same name.

Jovana

In Serbian and Macedonia John became Jovan. Jovana then became the female version of that name and even sounds quite suitable for a modern little girl.

Seana, Shauna, Shawna

These names are inspired by the Irish name Sean. There are also other versions such as Lashawn, Lashaun, and even Leshawn all have been used at some point.

Those Rare Surprises

If you are looking for something that is a little rarer then why not one of these rare and yet beautiful names.

Asia, Joasia – Joanna becomes Josia in Polish. This is a common diminutive form in Polish.

Bevan – A Welsh surname which is derived from John via ap Iefan – son of John. Bevan although may feel feminine is actually more popular for boys.

Hanna, Hana, Hannah – Hannah is the Hebrew version of Anna and means Grace. Hana has roots in Japanese and means flower as well as Arabic meaning happiness.

Iva – Another possible version of Ivana.

Jantine – Dutch feminine form but rarely seen in the US. But could be an interesting choice.

Jenna, Jennie, Jenny – All short for Joanna and to prove it the nineteenth-century Swedish opera singer Jenny Lind was actually born Johanna.

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Jessie – Jessie was in use well before Jessica. A Scottish nickname for Jean. There are other Scottish feminine forms of John such as Teasag and Teasaidh.