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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?

OP posts:
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Delphiniumsblue · 13/04/2014 19:07

I like it.

gertiegusset · 13/04/2014 19:07

I like it.
I don't like it spelt with a Y in the middle though which most of the Jaynes I know do.

Delphiniumsblue · 13/04/2014 19:10

I only like the traditional spelling.

Original poster
snoopy26 · 13/04/2014 19:54

OP here. Pleasantly surprised so many like it, thought people would say it was far too plain.

Think it's the female equivalent of John and peoole will love it or hate it.

Agree on the need for a long/fancy/feminine middle name, possibly Jane Fiona or Jane Isabel.

Our surname is quite unusual. Not Doe thankfully.

OP posts:
Benchmark · 13/04/2014 20:03

I don't like it. I just hear "plain Jane". Each to their own though. I do like other simple classic names like Emma and Anna, but for some reason not Jane.

nicky2512 · 13/04/2014 20:08

Love it. DS would have been Jayne if he had been a DD!

HagLady · 13/04/2014 20:09

Like it. More unusual than the names people think are unusual.
But that's not why i like it. There is a confidence to its simplicity.

HagLady · 13/04/2014 20:11

No to the y though.

If you pick Jane, leave it as it is. If you try to jazz it up it just loses its appeal (imo)

squoosh · 13/04/2014 20:12

It's unusual in that not many baby girls are given this name these days. But there are squillions of them in the 30+ age bracket, that's why it feels dull to me.

HagLady · 13/04/2014 20:15

I dont know any but i know a lot of people with jane as their middle name.

Rose is the default middle name now but rose is more popular than jane as a first name. (Rosie )

I know two janets and that is not a name that calls out for a revival! Bleurgh

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

Sleepyhoglet · 13/04/2014 20:27

Mary-Jane is ok. So not watching Spider man

peacefuleasyfeeling · 13/04/2014 20:29

Lovely.

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.

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.

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.

sleepingbeautiful · 14/04/2014 04:19

Jane Elise

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.

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

aoife24 · 14/04/2014 20:20

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 20:26

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

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.

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.

MrsTamkin · 14/04/2014 23:01

Love it