Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun Used as a name in legal proceedings to designate an unknown woman or girl or to protect the identity of a known woman or girl.
  • noun An average or ordinary woman.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun idiomatic Female equivalent of John Doe.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun an unknown or fictitious woman who is a party to legal proceedings

Etymologies

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Examples

  • When she was finally freed from her demons, all her memories were restored, but she kept the name Jane Doe so she’d always remember that there was once a time when she was forgotten, unloved, and unwanted, until someone cared enough to help her.

    The Exorsistah: X Returns Claudia Mair Burney 2010

  • Mr. Spota said they believe Ms. Taylor and an as-yet-unidentified woman he called "Jane Doe #6" were murdered by the same killer.

    Multiple L.I. Killers Suspected Sean Gardiner 2011

  • Every time he hears the name Jane Doe, he thinks of the woman in Huntington Beach, the one whose killer has yet to be found.

    latimes.com - News 2011

  • Police say a viewer out in Maryland helped identify her and the photo of the teen who had been referred to as Jane Doe was circulated by police and aired on CNN this week, and, again, we believe that she has been reunited with her family in Washington State.

    CNN Transcript Oct 25, 2009 2009

  • Authorities began calling her Jane Doe when she was unable to provide them with a name or any details about herself.

    CNN Transcript Oct 24, 2009 2009

  • This morning, a young woman only known as Jane Doe has been identified.

    CNN Transcript Oct 26, 2009 2009

  • COLLINS: This morning, a young woman only known as Jane Doe has been identified.

    CNN Transcript Oct 26, 2009 2009

  • PHILLIPS: The girl formerly known as Jane Doe getting a lot of attention on the new CNN. com.

    CNN Transcript Oct 26, 2009 2009

  • We're calling her Jane Doe to protect her identity.

    CNN Transcript Sep 13, 2007 2007

  • Now Elissa Wall, the woman once known as Jane Doe, is finally speaking out.

    CNN Transcript Oct 1, 2007 2007

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