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Baby names

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

Original poster

Jane

87 replies

ladycarlotta · 19/05/2022 17:30

What do you think? Is it due a comeback? Too plain? I know a few little Joans (mainly Joanie/Joni) but no Janes.

My first daughter has a short Victorian name of the trendier Ada/Cora/Clara/Edith variety and I think Jane would complement it if we had another girl. But I'm also aware that Jane was more popular up til maybe the 60s so as 'classic' names go it might have more of a Susan/Carol/Barbara association.

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KirstenBlest · 20/05/2022 18:21

There's another thread about Susan and Deborah. They seem fresh against all the Lily/Ella/Eva and long vowely names, and I'll throw in Helen as a simple, no-nonsense name that is timeless and beautiful.

My neighbour has a Helena but now she's been at primary school a few years, she's yet another Ella.

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 20/05/2022 17:41

Tulips21 · 20/05/2022 12:11

I Dont like it, very plain and reminds me of a few I know- all in their 50-60's.

Gosh, how very dare they still be alive at that advanced age! Horrific. Hmm

Personally, I like plain names that have stood the test of time. I have one myself, so does my Mum, so does my daughter. It would be difficult to date any of us from our names and everybody knows how to spell and pronounce our names.

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 20/05/2022 17:37

Great name. I wouldn't think of Plain Jane, I'd be thinking of Jane Austen, Jane Goodall, Miss Marple, Jane Campion and lots of other famous women through history called Jane.

Please use Jane, not Jayne, if you do go for it. I'm a 60s baby and knew quite a few contemporaries called Jane and one or two called Jayne. Even then I wondered about that extra y.

Lerram · 20/05/2022 16:22

babyjellyfish · 20/05/2022 10:48

I reckon if you went through the works of Jane Austen and wrote down every girl's name you came across you'd have a solid list of classic names that will never go out of fashion.

Maybe not Fanny.....

GetYourEightYearOldOutOfATree · 20/05/2022 14:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

FindingMeno · 20/05/2022 14:51

bridgetreilly · 19/05/2022 22:15

Maybe also consider Janet?

Spice it up and go Janice?

Original poster
ladycarlotta · 20/05/2022 14:48

DaleTrimont · 20/05/2022 12:08

Also makes me think of the Velvet Underground song, Sweet Jane.

me too, also Dylan's Queen Jane Approximately.

lol at all the PPs who are positively enraged by Jane's dullness. Thank you for your thoughts. I still find it lovely.

OP posts:
greenteafiend · 20/05/2022 14:41

I like it. It stands out in a nice way.

BinBandit · 20/05/2022 12:49

I like Jane, and June and Jean.

SirenSays · 20/05/2022 12:12

It's a bit beige.

Tulips21 · 20/05/2022 12:11

I Dont like it, very plain and reminds me of a few I know- all in their 50-60's.

collieresponder88 · 20/05/2022 12:10

Plain Jane. Of all the names. Come on

DaleTrimont · 20/05/2022 12:08

Also makes me think of the Velvet Underground song, Sweet Jane.

DaleTrimont · 20/05/2022 12:07

I love it. I had a very beautiful friend called Jane, sadly no longer living. It suited her having a simple and elegant name.

Carryonmarion · 20/05/2022 12:02

My best friend's name and she is beautiful and still really indie-cool looking in her mid 40s so I always associate it positively with a certain type of woman

babyjellyfish · 20/05/2022 10:48

I reckon if you went through the works of Jane Austen and wrote down every girl's name you came across you'd have a solid list of classic names that will never go out of fashion.

Enko · 20/05/2022 07:32

Plain boring. Dull. Couldn't come up with anything original so went plain plain Jane.

I have known quite a few Jane's. Or women with Jane as their middlename. I've yet to meet one who liked their name.

thewhatsit · 20/05/2022 07:30

Classica · 19/05/2022 18:32

Miss Austen would no doubt be asking 'I wonder who this Jane Austin is'.

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yikesanotherbooboo · 19/05/2022 22:26

Jane is bang on trend and a very acceptable classic name with loads of great role models.

elenacampana · 19/05/2022 22:19

I know a couple of Jaynes (with a Y, not a big deal) and I really like it on them, born in the 80s.

bridgetreilly · 19/05/2022 22:15

Maybe also consider Janet?

username899 · 19/05/2022 22:11

I have been called plain Jane and also baby Jane. There are far too many born in the 70s Janes around.

I am surprised so many people like the name.

FigBiscuit · 19/05/2022 20:28

I'm a Jane. I've never (knowingly) been called Plain Jane.
It's a rather unexciting name for my generation but I think it has lovely connotations and would work well for a new generation.

VioletHills · 19/05/2022 20:20

I'm a Jane and honestly I hate it. The plain Jane comments I always use to get.

midsomermurderess · 19/05/2022 20:17

Absolutely not “Jayne’. It just looks a bit illiterate. It’s a simple name, no need to try to gussy it up.

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