The name Jeanie is a diminutive or pet form of the female name Jean, which itself is a French feminine form of the Hebrew name John. The name John derives from the Hebrew name Yohanan, meaning "Yahweh is gracious." The name Jeanie likely emerged in Scotland and England in the 16th and 17th centuries as an affectionate variant of Jean.

In Scottish history, the name Jeanie has been associated with the character of Jeanie Deans, the heroine of Sir Walter Scott's novel "The Heart of Midlothian," published in 1818. Jeanie Deans is a young woman who undertakes a journey to London to seek a pardon for her sister, who has been wrongfully condemned.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Jeanie is Jeanie Luckie, a Scottish woman born in the late 16th century. She was accused of witchcraft during the Scottish witch trials and was executed in 1649 in Edinburgh.

Another notable historical figure with the name Jeanie was Jeanie Forsyth (1858-1937), a Scottish suffragist and campaigner for women's rights. She played a significant role in the fight for women's suffrage in Scotland and was a prominent member of the Scottish Federation of Women's Suffrage Societies.

In literature, the name Jeanie is associated with the character of Jeanie Robertson, the protagonist in George MacDonald's novel "Sir Gibbie" (1879). She is portrayed as a selfless and compassionate young woman who cares for a mute boy named Gibbie.

One of the most famous historical figures with the name Jeanie was Jeanie Deans, the subject of Sir Walter Scott's novel mentioned earlier. Although a fictional character, she has become an iconic figure in Scottish literature and culture, representing perseverance, loyalty, and moral courage.

Another notable Jeanie was Jeanie Winston Sifers (1836-1920), an American writer, and journalist. She was one of the first women to work as a correspondent during the American Civil War and later became an advocate for women's rights and the temperance movement.

These are just a few examples of the historical figures and literary characters who have borne the name Jeanie, a diminutive form with roots in the Hebrew name John and a long-standing association with Scottish culture and literature.