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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Jean

67 replies

HoneyandRum · 29/11/2013 05:10

I like Jean and you never here it anymore for girls. What do you think?

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TessOfTheBaublevilles · 01/12/2013 16:40

Oh and meant to say, hearing of a little girl named Jean, well it would be much more refreshing then hearing of another little girl named one of the really "on trend" names right now.

I have to stifle a yawn when I hear of yet another little girl named Amelia/Isabel/Isabella/Olivia/Ruby/Ava. If I heard of a little Jean, you wouldn't keep the smile off my face!

TessOfTheBaublevilles · 01/12/2013 16:38

I love Jean, we seriously considered it for DD2, but then we decided we couldn't use it as it's a feminine form of John, and DS1 is Jack (which is also a form of John).

DD2 is named Mary, so as you can tell, those kind of "older" names are our style.

MarianneBrandon · 30/11/2013 21:23

My Grandma was called Jean. I like it and it would definitely stand out from all the popular girl names like Amelia, Sophie and Evie.

JeanSeberg · 30/11/2013 19:54

... Not forgetting Jean Seberg in that list Ton...

never2broke4beauty.blogspot.co.uk/2011/09/jean-seberg-style-icon.html

pinkpudding · 30/11/2013 19:03

My good friend jean at school spent most of her childhood worried about bo due to all the wise cracks about "hi jean". She was desperate to change her name to jenifer.

TondelayoSchwarzkopf · 30/11/2013 17:55

I love Jean Grin

But then I am biased.

Jean Harlow
Jean Shrimpton
Jean Kent (who died today)

All glamorous and interesting.

DoesZingBumpLookBigInThis · 30/11/2013 17:48

"Billie Jean is not my lover"

that is my only association with Jean

allcatsaregrey · 30/11/2013 17:43

I'm a Jean aka jeannie, wee jeannie and jeannie mcbeaney. I love my name. I've never been teased and everyone always remembers it. I am scottish tho which helps.

NigellasGuest · 30/11/2013 17:40

Oh I love it! Think Jean Shrimpton.
and remember I Dream of Jeannie, anyone?

Rooners · 30/11/2013 17:39

I know someone who called their child Jean a few years ago. It might be with an E at the end because when I knew him well, we liked that song. But we're no longer in touch so I don't know.

He is v trendy London type. Good people I think. I like it very much.

Twiddlebum · 30/11/2013 17:36

My middle name is jean (after my gran) and I have spent my entire 33 years of life being teased about it! Please don't do this to a child! Sad

Rosencrantz · 30/11/2013 16:24

I like it, it's a subtle nod to my favourite witch.

everlong · 30/11/2013 14:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

JoinYourPlayfellows · 30/11/2013 13:56

See, I love the name Mabel.

I first came across it in an E Nesbitt book, and I've never met anyone called that name.

To me it's not an old granny name or a name that was ever fashionable or unfashionable, I just really like the sound of it.

I find I have similar responses to a lot of so-called "granny" names. I don't think of Jean or Florence as being granny names either. Jean to me is a woman in her 30s and Florence is just off the Magic Roundabout.

8thplace · 30/11/2013 09:24

I really like Jean and know one little jeanie

squoosh · 30/11/2013 09:20

Also I don't think Florence and Constance et al are true 'classics', the last time they were in vogue was 1890. Truly classic names never really disappear.

squoosh · 30/11/2013 09:18

Florence and Beatrice are so ugly to me. And as for Harriet................. an awful name to inflict on someone.

everlong · 30/11/2013 08:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Littlecurrentbun · 29/11/2013 23:59

I am a teacher and we have a Jean. It is lovely. We also have a Kathleen !!! It is actually very pretty though I didn't like it so much before.

Devora · 29/11/2013 23:58

I really like Jean and Joan. Love Josie.

I prefer the English spelling.

JeanSeberg · 29/11/2013 23:56

Love it Grin

RhondaJean · 29/11/2013 23:49

Jean is a fab name.

My mother is a jeanie. She was named after her grandmother.

I remember reading lots of books with little Scottish girls named jean or jeanie when I was a child.

squoosh · 29/11/2013 23:46

Mabel is just awful! Really, really awful.

Betty and Jean are FAR superior.

JapaneseMargaret · 29/11/2013 23:45

Mabel? Pretty and feminine?!

Not to me. And I don't think Florence is, either.

People used to think Isobel was a desperate old dowdy name (believe me, I know!!), but they changed their tune when it came back into fashion.

If Edith can have a revival - and Mabel! (sorry, no offence to any Mabels) - then simple, stylish names like Jean and Joan can. After all, someone's perception of a name is theirs alone.

legoplayingmumsunite · 29/11/2013 22:03

My cousin's daughter is Jean, I defy anyone to meet her and not love the name, she is beautiful and fab. Robert Burns wife was Jean so there is some great poetry about Jean.