The name Janee is a variant of the name Jane, which has its origins in the English language. The name Jane is derived from the French name Jeanne, which in turn comes from the Hebrew name Yohanan or Yohannah, meaning "Yahweh is gracious" or "God is gracious."

The name Janee gained popularity in the late 20th century as a modern variation of the classic name Jane. While the name Jane has a long and storied history, the specific variant Janee does not have as extensive a historical record.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Janee can be found in the 16th century, when it was used as a diminutive form of Jane by some English families. However, its widespread use did not occur until much later.

Historically, the name Jane has been borne by several notable figures, including Lady Jane Grey, the uncrowned Queen of England for nine days in 1553, and Jane Austen, the renowned English novelist who lived from 1775 to 1817.

Another famous bearer of the name was Jane Addams, an American social worker and philanthropist who co-founded the Hull House in Chicago and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1931.

In the arts, Jane Morris was a renowned English artist and model who was the wife of the Pre-Raphaelite artist William Morris. She lived from 1839 to 1914 and was a muse to several artists and writers of her time.

Jane Fonda, the American actress and political activist, is another well-known figure with the name, born in 1937.

While the variant Janee does not have as many historical references as the name Jane, it has been gaining popularity in recent decades as a modern and unique variation of the classic name.