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Baby names

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

Original poster

Jane as a first name

85 replies

snoopy26 · 13/04/2014 09:26

I'm loving Jane at the moment. Do you think Jane Eyre, Jane Austen or Plain Jane Superbrain?

Also struggling with a middle name as everything sounds back to front e.g. Jane Emily should be Emily Jane, Jane Laura should be Laura Jane.

Surname is 2 syllables, begins with P. Older sister is a Sarah. We're not exactly adventurous.

Any thoughts?

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ShadowFall · 17/04/2014 10:17

I like Jane a lot.

RAFWife12 · 15/04/2014 18:09

I like it! Its not in my list, but thats due to DH! I think its traditional and classic, which is totally my style! I agree it needs a longer middle name to go with it to balance it out.

lisej · 15/04/2014 15:47

Love it. Really unusual these days and stands out against the 'frilly' names that are popular for girls now.

ACatCalledColin · 15/04/2014 15:08

It's surprising how many people say Jane is a boring name when names like Emma are in the top 10.

I find Emma to be pretty boring too.

Jane just makes me think of a plain Jane.

EmpressOfJurisfiction · 15/04/2014 15:06

Love it. I have an Aunt Jane in her early 50s who is utterly fabulous.

whereisthewitch · 15/04/2014 14:44

I like it but prefer the spelling Jayne...makes it look slightly less plain!

cosikitty · 15/04/2014 14:41

Jane Elizabeth sounds right.

Sukebind · 15/04/2014 14:41

It is my middle name, very close to my mum's name, my great-grandmother's name and my mum liked it so much she named the dog Jane.
Hence I was a bit Jane-d out by the time I got to having children but I think I would consider it if it wasn't for the dog.

YouGrateMyCheese · 15/04/2014 14:36

I love Jane. Love it love it. It can sound strong yet sweet at the same time, and has oodles of history. I was watching one of the Pride and Prejudice remakes and noticed how striking the name Jane sounded - it really stood out. And hey! Jane Seymour was the most beloved of Henry VIII's wives, no small feat. Then you have Queen Lady Jane Grey, Jane Austen, Goodall, Withers, Addams, Fonda, Calamity Jane...the list goes on and on. It'll be probably be all the rage when the current crop of newborns are having their own children, with Joan and Jean along for the ride.

Choccyhobnob · 15/04/2014 14:09

Unfortunately my least favourite name in the entire world, dull as dishwater. Every one I've ever known has been the definition of a plain Jane and I just associate it with Jane Doe, i.e a nothing name. Sorry!

MrsTamkin · 14/04/2014 23:01

Love it

Andcake · 14/04/2014 20:36

My name. Was not a fan when younger but now don't mind at all. Have never known many others - people sometimes assume I might be older or boring but I think its made made me more of an effort to not dress plainly iykwim. Lots of people I know have it as their middle name.
My middle name is longer 3 syllables.
Now it's just me.

AllMimsyWereTheBorogroves · 14/04/2014 20:29

Lovely name. I agree it's classic, elegant and timeless. Odd to hear people saying it's dated when it's been one of the most popular English girls' names for hundreds of years. It will outlast Evie and Ellie and Millie and Scarlett and other current favourites, all of which will be extremely dated in the very near future.

aoife24 · 14/04/2014 20:26

Excellent choice, simply elegant and refreshing after years of cute and frilly names.

aoife24 · 14/04/2014 20:24

Excellent choice, simply elegant and refreshing after years of cute and frilly names.

aoife24 · 14/04/2014 20:20

Excellent choice, simply elegant and refreshing after years of cute and frilly names.

magentasurprise · 14/04/2014 10:12

I like it; pretty and classic. I think it sounds good with a longer, perhaps more unusual mn.

Jane Cecilia
Jane Francesca
Jane Penelope
Jane Camilla
Jane Elizabeth (v classic)
Jane Marianna

Madamecastafiore · 14/04/2014 05:15

Janey is a sweet name, jane I think I would do an internal eyebrow raise at. Bit like David for lack of imagination.

sleepingbeautiful · 14/04/2014 04:19

Jane Elise

LoveVintage · 13/04/2014 22:15

It is my middle name and I love it. I also have a very good friend called Jane. Don't think it is plain or dull at all. I used to wish mine was spelt Jayne as I thought it was really exotic.

cece · 13/04/2014 22:14

I am a Jane. I would have used it for my own dd if it wasn't already my name. It is timeless, classic and take you anywhere name. Can you tell I like it? Oh and I have never taught one in 25 years.

SimplySara · 13/04/2014 22:11

I think of Sweet Jane (a Velvet Underground song) and Lady Jane (a Rolling Stones during their psychedelic phase). Just for these two songs wanted to name our first DD Jane but DH retorted that Jane is more associated with the Eyre and Austen type and is a bit plain and dull which I had vowed never to do as I very much disliked my plain and dull name. Had to admit it, he was right.

peacefuleasyfeeling · 13/04/2014 20:29

Lovely.

Sleepyhoglet · 13/04/2014 20:27

Mary-Jane is ok. So not watching Spider man

Bluestocking · 13/04/2014 20:22

I love it, really pretty, classic and elegant, and right for all the ages of woman. If you think a middle name is necessary, a longer name goes well with Jane.

Jane Elizabeth
Jane Meredith
Jane Victoria
Jane Constance
Jane Charlotte
Jane Tamsin
Jane Guinevere
Jane Henrietta
Jane Lucinda
Jane Emily
Jane Rebecca
Jane Susannah
Jane Francesca
Jane Gabriella