Jane Doe

noun

ˈjān-ˈdō How to pronounce Jane Doe (audio)
: a woman who is a party to legal proceedings and whose true name is unknown or withheld

Word History

First Known Use

1703, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Jane Doe was in 1703

Rhymes for Jane Doe

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Browse Nearby Words

Jane
Jane Doe
Janeite
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Cite this Entry

“Jane Doe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Jane%20Doe. Accessed 2 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

Jane Doe

noun
ˈjān-ˈdō How to pronounce Jane Doe (audio)
: a woman who is a party to legal proceedings and whose true name is unknown or withheld
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