Definition of "Jane"

In latter years some of the better and nicer sort, misliking Joan, have mollified the name of Joan into Jane, as it may seem, for that Jane is never found in old Records; and as some will, never before the time of King Henry the eight.

1605, William Camden, Remains Concerning Britain, John Russell Smith, published 1870, pages 103–104

People will please their fancies, and every lady has favourite names. I myself have several, and they are mostly short and simple. Jane, that queenly name! Jane Seymour, Jane Grey, 'the noble Jane de Montford;' - - -

1830, Mary Russell Mitford, Our Village: Fourth Series: Cottage Names:

"What I mean is," said Mrs. Riversedge, "that when I get maids with unsuitable names I call them Jane; they soon get used to it." / "An excellent plan," said the aunt of Clovis coldly; "unfortunately I have got used to being called Jane myself. It happens to be my name."

1912 Saki (H.H.Munro), The Secret Sin of Septimus Brope