what does {**input} mean in python code example

Example 1: python input

#Collecting The Input As A Variable:#
name = input('Please enter your name: ')
#Printing The Variable:#
print(name)
#Checking The Variable And Printing Accordingly:#
if name == 'Joe':
  print('Joe Mama')

Example 2: python input

# Learning input is very easy
# Just make a variable and then the input function
# then type what question do you want
running = True
mi = input('Are you a girl or a boy?')
# Use def to figure it out
l = mi
if l == 'boy' or l == 'Boy':
   	ui = 'boy'
elif l == 'girl' or l == 'Girl':
    ui = 'girl'
else:
    # Make sure if it is a something not in the if
    running = False
    print('huh?')
if running == True:
    mine = input('How old are you?')
    def v(u):
        n = int(u)
        if n > 3 and n < 11:
            print('Good', ui)
        else:
            print('Great.')
    # Remember to use the function
    v(mine)