AN ANONYMOUS PARTY
JOHN DOE
The names "John Doe" or "John Roe" for men, "Jane Doe" or "Jane Roe" for women, or "Johnnie Doe" and "Janie Doe" for children, or just "Doe" non-gender-specifically are used as placeholder names for a party whose true identity is unknown or must be withheld in a legal action, case, or discussion. The names are also used to refer to a corpse or hospital patient whose identity is unknown. This practice is widely used in the United States and Canada, but is rarely used in other English-speaking countries including the United Kingdom, whence the use of "John Doe" in a legal context originates. The names "Joe Bloggs" or "John Smith" are used in the UK as placeholder names, (mainly to mean 'any old person', the classic 'Everyman') as well as in Australia and New Zealand.
John Doe
Used as placeholder name for when a true identity is unknown or witheld for legal case, action, or discussion.
Jane Doe
The female equivalent for John Doe, used when the anonymous party is in fact, female. Again, to keep identity concealed.
European Countries
Most places in the UK choose to use Joe Bloggs or John Smith for anonymous personalities, despite John Doe originating there.
Multiple Parties
If there are multiple anonymous peoples, they will use different last names to refer to them. Doe, Roe, Poe, and so on.
Johnny Doe
Johnny, Janie, or simply Baby Doe are all names used when referencing an unknown party that is a child.
Early Alternatives
John Stiles and Richard Miles were early alternatives for multiple parties. Mary Major was used in a federal case.
John Doe's
Real John Doe's have some difficulty in everyday life, such as being stopped at airports or assumed as a incognito celebrity.
Crime
The term John Doe or Jane Doe is used in US police investigations when the victim(s) identity is unknown or incorrect.