Comments for the name Jane

This was the name of Jane Seymore, Henry VIII's third wife and mother of his son Edward.

Plain. Jane.

I love the name Jane. It is not plain or boring as some may think. It is pretty yet short.

Jane Smith, the character Angelina Jolie played on "Mr and Mrs. Smith". Also the love of Tarzan's life.

Lady Jane Grey was queen of England for 9 days.

This is the middle name of J.K. Rowling's fictional character: Hermione Jane Granger.

You're wrong. Her middle name is actually Jean.

The children's book character Hermione Granger's second name was originally Jane, but the author changed it because it was also the second name of Dolores Umbridge.

Honestly, I think that it was immature and ridiculous of the writer.

Careful, funny and loving.

Jane Lane: a main character in the animated television show "Daria".

I like this name. It goes well with Hermione (but please not for a real person! We've seen how that turned out!) I do like Jane Lane (from Daria).

Jane Seymore. British actress who was in a James Bond film. Also the main character of a tv show called Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman.

Remember Jane, the little girl from Mary Poppins, and it is also Harry Potter's Dolores Umbrige's middle name.

Dick and Jane are the children of the beginning reader book series.

I like the name Jane. It may be plain to some people but it is very pretty. I always think of Miss Jane Bennett out of Pride and Prejudice. In New Zealand where I live it is not a common name anymore.

Jane has a very beautiful, clear sound to it. I do not think of "plain" at all, but a dark sort of elegance.

I read that the name Janay means God has answered in Hebrew.

Jane is a very punk rock name if you ask me.

One of the old standards that hasn't lost its flavor.

"Plain" Jane Jones is the real name of Natalie Portman's character in the movie "Closer."

I cannot believe no one has mentioned Miss Jane Marple, my favorite of Agatha Christie's detectives. Miss Marple was an old English lady with an eye for mystery. One of the most brilliant fictional characters ever.

Jane was the middle name of famous jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald.

I love the rock/folk/metal band Jane's Addiction, their best song being "Jane Says", and the song "Sweet Jane" by The Velvet Underground. There are lots and lots of other songs with Jane in the title, such as "Lady Jane" by The Rolling Stones, "Jane" by The Barenaked Ladies, "Baby Jane" by Rod Stewart, "Queen Jane Approximately" by Bob Dylan, "Song That Jane Likes" by the Dave Matthews Band, "Jane" by Jefferson Starship, "Hazey Jane" by Nick Drake, "Jane" by Stevie Nicks, "Sweet Baby Jane" by U2, "Crazy Jane on God" by Van Morrison, and then there's the album "Songs About Jane" by Maroon 5.

This is my second middle name (the one I use when I feel like alternating). People always tell me that it's too plain, but that's why I like it. I don't like Jayne, Jaine or any of those trying-to-be-creative-but-can't spellings; Jane is just fine.

I am not too fond of this name, it's a bit plain to me.

The name Jane is said to mean "A gracious gift from God".

Some famous actresses named Jane: Jane Kaczmarek, the mother, Lois, on "Malcolm in the Middle;" Jane "Hanoi Jane" Fonda, recently seen in "Monster-in-Law;" Jane Wyman, the ex-wife of Ronald Reagan who starred in "Falcon Crest;" and the riotously funny Jane Curtain who starred in "Saturday Night Live" and also played Dr. Mary Albright in "3rd Rock from the Sun."

Jane is a very nice classic name. I think it's very feminine, radiant, and beautiful. It also makes a great middle name.

If you're stuck on a middle name go with Jane, it never fails for some strange reason. Elizabeth Jane, Emily Jane, Natalie Jane, and so forth.

The only reason people think "plain" when they hear it is because it rhymes with Jane. A gorgeous, classic name that is fabulous and versatile. Lovely!

Not a plain name, it's simple and classic. I used to think this name was boring, but it's grown on me. I like it.

I love this name, it's not too long, and it's easy to pronounce.

Listen to the German pronunciation of Jane here:
http://www.nordicnames.de/Aussprache.html.

Jane is my first name, except it is spelled, Jayne. I hate it! It is plain, and downright boring. However, I like Janie, and I often go by that.

I think Jane is a pretty name, but far too plain. It's not popular anymore.

I can't believe no one's mentioned Jane Norman (or Jane Nor), she's got bags EVERYWHERE with her name on them in England.

Tarzan and Jane comes to mind.

Jane Eyre, main protagonist from Charlotte Bronte's book Jane Eyre, is of course a famous bearer of the name.

There are authors named Jane Adams and Jane Green.

Jane Goodall, renowned primatologist famous for her work with chimpanzees. The Jane Goodall institute works for chimp conservation. I love this name. It's just gorgeous, not at all plain!

Jane is my absolute FAVORITE name - I think its apparent "plainness" distinguishes it gloriously from the sea of Madisons, Jaydens, and Nevaehs that dominate today's naming trends. Jane Bennet is also rather appealing. =D

Jane is a very pretty name. It's short, simple, and not too girly, but definitely feminime, unlike the ugly Madisons, Chelseas, and Emmas (I can't stand the name Emma!)

I love the name Jane! It is probably one of my most favorite names. It may seem "plain" to some people, but it is a classic name unlike some new names that parents just make up nowadays.

This is the name of the youngest girl in E. Nesbit's children's story, "Five Children and It."

Actress and pin-up model Jane Russell is a famous bearer.

"Whatever Happened To Baby Jane" with Bette Davis playing Baby Jane Hudson.

I love this name. It's not plain or boring, as some people think, but classic, elegant, intellectual, and perhaps dark. It's perfectly lovely. The only difficulty is in finding a good middle name for it.

ARGH! Can't anyone use a different word to describe it than "plain"? The word's basically in every post.

I think Jane is very pretty. Understated and classic, certainly not plain.

I don't like this name, it is like way way too common.

It's my middle name; Eleanor Jane. I think it pretty much suits every name it gets attached to. Though mine is one of the better ones. :)

It is plain, but in a good way. It's very normal, but not in a bad way. It's just nice. Jane. Jane. Jane. It's perfect! The name says, "This person is quiet, elegant, beautiful, mysterious, and actually rather dark." It's perfect!

Plus. There is a song by Breaking Benjamin called "The Diary of Jane," and it is one of my all-time favorite songs. It's perfect!

Love this name! I love it because I love "Jane Eyre" I think it would make a good middle name to avoid all the "Plain Jane" jokes.

To me, this name is kind of plain even though it is not that popular. However, I think it is also pretty, but I think it is starting to be a common middle name for girls and would certainly be nice if it was used as a FIRST name for girls again.

Actress Jane Asher. Sister of musician Peter Asher and former fiancee of Beatle Paul McCartney.

I think it can be a bit plain by itself, but if you pair it up with something more unique it looks good.

Jane is my middle name and growing up I hated this name but now I actually quite like it. It complements my first name, Rachael.

I've known a Amanda Jane (still hates her middle name) and a Kara Jayne (she's indifferent to her middle name). I've only known one person whose first name was Jane and she was a bright, fun, bubbly outgoing kinda girl - definitely not plain!

American poet, Jane Hirshfield.

My sister's name is Jane, so is my aunt, my great aunt, and many distant cousins. Although some say it is plain. I think not! It is simple yes but when paired with a interesting middle or first name it is quite lovely.

I love the name Jane! It brings to mind Jane Austen, Miss Jane Marple, and Jane Bennett. Lovely associations!

Jane was the eldest Miss Bennett in Jane Austen's "Pride & Prejudice."

I think the name Jane is so cuite! I like the name Emily Jane!

I think it is a fabulous middle name, though I prefer the more modern "Jayne" spelling. I know that I'll probably get attacked for saying that on this board, but I think it spices it up a bit and takes away from the whole "plain Jane" thing.

Hospitals and law enforcement personnel call an unidentified female corpse a "Jane Doe".

I find Jane quite boring. My name is spelled Jayne, and most people can't spell it! Jayne has done nothing for me. Sure I was not teased, but I always wanted to be named Lauren, or Heather, something more popular. I used to go by Jaynie, but I consider Jaynie too cutesy. I now go by Jenny, which sounds sweet, but mature at the same time. I would advise parents to use Jane as a middle name. Jayne is too plain as a first name, but it is a nice middle name. I think Emma Jayne, Emily Jayne, and many other names go nicely as a combo.

I love this name, I think it's adorable. A friend of mine is called Jane and we call her Janie. A famous bearer is Jane Turnkey from the slightly crazy children's show, Jane and the Dragon.

On Prime Suspect (a police drama), Jane Tennison was the name of the Detective Superintendent/main character (played by Helen Mirren).

I like the way Jane sounds when spoken by someone with an Australian accent.

I think the simplicity of this name is perhaps the most attractive thing about it. Regardless, I just adore it - would love to use it one day.

A famous bearer is American actress Jane Krakowski (born October 11, 1968). She is best known to audiences for her television roles, as T. R. Kendall on "Search for Tomorrow" from 1984 to 1986, for which she received a Daytime Emmy Award nomination in 1987, Elaine Vassal on "Ally McBeal" from 1997 to 2002, for whcih she received a Golden Globe Award nomination in 1999, and Jenna Maroney on "30 Rock" since 2006. She is also known for her stage roles, specifically Broadway roles in "Grand Hotel", for which she won a Tony Award nomination, "Company", "Once Upon a Mattress", and "Nine", for which she won a Tony Award. She also starred in a revival of "Guys and Dolls" on the West End, for which she won an Olivier Award.

It's a safe choice, as the name sounds good on both children and women. It's short and simple, and the kid will not be bullied because of her name. On the other hand, the name is quite dull and unimaginative to use. However, to me, it has positive associations because of the cool character Jane Lane from Daria, the cool series from the 90s.

Jane is my middle name, I'm Sonya Jane. I know a lot of people with this as a middle name, I have friends with it (Alissa Jane, Samantha Jayne) and I have cousins with it (Amanda Jane, Belinda Jane). I love it and would consider it for my daughter in the future.

In the Dark is Rising series by Susan Cooper, one of the three main characters from the first book, Under Sea and Over Stone, is Jane, she is the sister of Simon and Barney.

My mother's name is Jane. The plain association kinda suits her, but I think the person makes the name. Jane can either be plain or mysterious I think. Marie is a good middle name for Jane I think.

This is one of those names to me that began to be used less and less that it sounds quite fresh today. I don't get the whole "Plain Jane" thing, because in today's age, I think a Jane would be a girl who wouldn't reflect an image on her name alone. Jane could be anybody.

If one is going to use the name Jane, however, I would suggest using it with a longer middle name. Jane Alexandra, Jane Elizabeth, even Jane Imogene sounds cool.

As a first name, I think Jane is very plain - however, when paired with Emma or Mary or any other number of short sassy names it's very cute.

If you are to use this name, consider putting it in a combination name like Sophia-Jane, Jane-Lenore, etc. as it's rather plain and unimaginative on its own.

There's a song by Braking Benjamin called 'Diary Of Jane'.

Jane Gallagher from The Catcher in the Rye.

J is for jolly
A is for amiable
N is for nice
E is for elegant

Not really famous. But in Stephenie Meyer's vampire saga (Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn) Jane is a young vampire that belongs to the Volturi. She can use her mind to inflict pain on others.

I think Jane is a timeless classic. It works well for girls and women of any age, and it wouldn't be misspelled or mispronounced often.

Famous bearer Jane Austen was English novelist famed for her books "Pride & Prejudice" and "Sense and Sensibility", along with 4 other works.

I've heard this as a euphemism for vagina (as opposed to dick).

I love the name Jane! It's short and sweet and not boring at all since you don't see very many Janes, not to mention the reference to Jane Eyre is really awesome since she was such a strong woman! I'd definitely name my daughter Jane.

I like the name Jane. It's not too long, and it's beautifully simple and classic. It's much better than some of the things people are naming kids these days. I think it would be a great middle name with a longer first name, like Alexandra, or I even really like Oriana Jane.

The main protagonist of 'Jane and the Dragon' has this name.

A wonderful first name. The spelling 'Jayne', however, is tacky.

I think Jane is a pretty name but wouldn't use it for my child. I prefer the Irish form of Jane, Sinéad which is pronounced Shin-Aid.

I plan on naming a future daughter of mine Jane. Not only because Jane Austen is my favorite author of all time, and Jane Bennet (from Pride and Prejudice) is my favorite fictional character, but because I think it is a beautiful, simple, and timeless name. =)

Much prettier than the anagram name, Jean, which is too old fashioned. Jane suits girls and women of all ages.

A famous bearer is English actress Jane Leeves (born April 18, 1961). She's best known for her role as Daphne Moon on the TV series "Frasier". She's also known as Audrey in "Murphy Brown" and Marla the Virgin in four episodes of "Seinfeld".

Dull. Yet zesty and sweet.

Jane Cecil Chaplin (born 1957), daughter of actor Charlie Chaplin.

Wow. I can't believe no-one has mentioned Jane Birkin. She was an English actor, singer, model and film director in the hippie-era and later. She is the mother of actor and singer Charlotte Gainsbourg who starred in Lars Von Trier's "Antichrist" and she was the inspiration for the "Birkin bag" from Hermès.

It's a nice name, and I don't think it's plain at all. It sounds free-spirited and natural to me, and while it may be a bit popular, it's still a good name for a girl.

Jane Porter, from Edgar Rice Burrows "Tarzan and the Apes".

It's also a surname. I can't see this name without thinking of "the Mentalist" where Jane is the main character, because of that it kind of ruins it as a girls name for me.

Plain but simply pretty!

Cute name for a comeback, especially considering the Jane Austen comeback in recent years. Maybe a little on the plain side though.

Jane is a character in the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer.

The name "Jane Doe" is normally given to females who are unknown.

It's pretty, I like it. I might use it as a middle name.

A stinky name. No one should have to live with such a blah name.

Jane Says is one of my favorite songs. It's by Jane's Addiction.

I like this name, but only because it was popular for 400 years and now is completely unpopular. It's almost in exile it's so unpopular. It was everywhere before, in every family. Plain Jane. See Jane run.

Now that it has become un-trendy, it has more charm; especially since there are so many great famous bearers of the name.

Really pretty name that I think should be used for first names as well as middle names. It always makes me think of purple tulips. Puts "Jade" to shame.

It's simple, and I think it's really pretty in its simplicity! It's one of those names you can grow up with; unlike Ashley (when applied to a girl, anyway). It's sophisticated as well, a common name in days gone by for high class girls. It's such a pity that people see its simplicity and think "plain".

Oh, and I don't know if this girl counts as famous, but these days, being on TV makes you famous, so...
America's Next Top Model's Jane Randall. She featured in Cycle 15 and received either third or fourth place, after she was eliminated in a double elimination. (Fade out from the episode suggests she should be given third.)

A famous bearer of this name is Jane Foster also known as Jane Nelson, the human love interest of the marvel comic book superhero, Thor (based on the Norse god of thunder). In the Comics she was a nurse and later a doctor, in the 2011 film 'Thor' she is an astrophysicist, played by Israeli-American actress Natalie Portman.

This name is very simple and old fashioned, but has a lot of personality to it. To me, it sounds like a girl who is very warm hearted, and is fond of cats and teddy bears, and likes to read and write. It's a very cosy sort of name.

What is the fascination with Jane?! It's one of the most overused names in the world. Isn't everyone tired of it by now? And of couse everyone has heard "Sarah Jane, tall and plain". Well, I hate to say it, but it's true. Jane has become plain. It's lost all appeal (not that it ever appealed to me anyway).

Sarah Jane, Mary Jane, Martha Jane... yada, yada, yada.

Funny... they say Jane is "plain." I've yet to meet a Jane that is plain though. I've known 3 and they are all very pretty. My middle name is Jane. It's a nice middle name and sounds great with almost any last name. To the poor woman who commented that she hates her name "Jane" - you can always go by your middle name if you like it better since are so unhappy with "Jane". My first name was Jane and I used to like it but got so fed up seeing it on make up containers and magazine covers, having to listen to Plain Jane, Dick and Jane, Tarzan and Jane jokes and meeting men who would say, "Wow, I'm Tarzan!" I'm sure to them it was some ridiculous way of saying they found me attractive, but it made them look stupid. And my favorite? Seeing the use of Jane Doe on crime scene bodies on t.v. shows. I finally started going by my middle name of Catherine (Cate) for short and life has been wonderful for years with it. I legally changed it and I love it. I receive compliments on it from men - sans the jokes and I still have Jane but just in the middle now. Very happy with Cate in the front.

Really boring. Really generic. No, I'm not going to use the word "plain"! But if you name your daughter Jane, you might as well be naming her "Hey You."

Jane Fonda (born 1937 in New York City) is an American actress.

Jane Russell (born 1921 in Bemidji, Minnesota) was an American actress. She was one of Hollywood's leading sex symbols in the 40s and 50s.

Jane Levy (born 1989 in Los Angeles, California) is an American actress.

There are two actresses by the name of Jane Alexander. The first is an American actress (born 1939) who played Eleanor Roosevelt in the TV movie Eleanor and Franklin. The second is a British actress (born 1973) that works in Italy. She appeared in various Italian TV series and provided the voice for Elizabeth in the animated movie The Legend of the Titanic.

I don't think this name is plain at all, it's simple, but not boring! It would be so cute to see a little girl named Jane or Janie, I love that nickname!

Have read in several other publications that "Jane" also means "gift from God". Jane is also the name of Wendy's daughter in Peter Pan, the return to Neverland. Often used as a middle or hyphenated name...e. g Mary-Jane. From the Spiderman comics / movies. Tarzan and Jane.

My name is Sarah-Jane and I think Jane is nice as a middle name or joint name. I'm not sure if I would want to be just Jane on its own though because it feels a bit boring on its own. However, I highly recommend it as a middle/joint name and it works with nearly every name.

I adore this name. I do not find it plain and boring, I think it is simple, sophisticated, classic, and elegant. It's just perfect.