View Message

[Opinions] Jean, Joan, Jane and June
I feel like all of these could make a comeback. June is probably the most likely followed by Jane, Joan and Jean. What do you think?Which one would you choose for a daughter if you had to? You can change spellings (e.g. Jayne, Jeanne etc.).If you had to choose just between Jane, Jean and Joan, which one and why? (my guess is that most people would choose June so I would like to know which ones you'd pick out of these three as well.Also, comments on all names are appreciated :)---Please rate my list: https://www.behindthename.com/pnl/6232
Archived Thread - replies disabled
vote up1

Replies

My favorite of these used to be Jane. I still think Jane is lovely, and underappreciated this day and age as a first name. But my actual, current favorite of this group is... Joan.Joan snuck up on me. She has the same no-nonsense, professional air as Sloane (a name I think of as a "power suit name"), except the shoulder pads aren't nearly so wide because she's not supporting a chip on her shoulder, if that makes sense. Joan has nothing to prove, she just is, and you'll take her or leave her.I also really like the nickname Joanie. In comparison, Janie sounds childish to my ears, but Joanie makes me think of Joni Mitchell.
vote up1
In the UK I can see them coming back in nn form first, as a lot of people like -ie diminutives as first names here, so Junie, Janie, Joanie, Jeanie etc. I actually know a toddler Joni and a Juniper “Junie”
vote up1
I think June is coming back strong. I could see Jane coming back as well.I love all but Joan. Joan still feels dated but would probably be ahead of the trend. Jean is a family name and my daughters second middle name. Jane is my dog's middle name. June is too trendy for me to actually use.
vote up1
Jean, maybe Jeanne (same pron, one syllable, not like "genie").June is very nice, but I get a slightly comic / rustic feeling from it, like Luann, that made me take it off my list.
Jane is nice, and also I feel like it's aloof and spare ... that's not ugly, but it doesn't make me excited to use it.
Joan has a lot of character and grit, it seems - thanks to famous Joans with bold personas - but I don't like the oan sound or how it looks.
Jean just seems modest and smart to me. I don't like how it sounds like Gene, but as long as Gene is out of style I guess it doesn't matter much.

This message was edited 6/26/2021, 11:05 AM

vote up1
June, the others bore me stupid. If I have to pick a Jane-related name I’d pick Jean, it feels a bit fresher?
vote up1
The Joan of Arc association is interesting, so even if it is dated, I have a soft spot for it. Eventually, it will make a comeback especially if there is a renewed interest in medieval history and women in history.Jean is a comfortable name. Unpretentious but just as historic as Jane or Joan, Jean is pleasant although a bit masculine. The nickname Jeanie could be either a bonus or a drawback depending on how much you like "I Dream of Jeannie." Jane is sweet but dull. Not even Jane Austen can liven it up. It is odd that Austen gave some of her characters her own name. Maybe it is the association with Jane Bennett and Jane Grey, but Jane reminds me of a woman who, while perhaps good natured, struggles to see through people's intentions and gets either taken in or needs the assitance of others to avoid fading away.June is spritely. I go back and forth on how much I like it, but right now it feels insubstantial. I like Janice and Jeanine. Of the options available, I would choose either Joan or Jean.
vote up1
Honestly I would pick Jane before June, I'm not as into June as some people I suppose. June I don't mind but I have a soft spot for because the only one I've ever known was a very compassionate and loving art teacher that I had as an adolescent, but in it of itself apart from her I'm not a huge fan of it, it's just fine. I'm not really hugely into Joan but I do like Joanie. Jean is my least favorite I've known way too many mean old women with this name so it's ruined for me. Jane I've really taken a liking to since watching Jane the Virgin, Jane doesn't feel plain anymore it feels energetic and happy and I love the nickname Janie it makes me think of a four year old girl covered in flowers in a meadow.
vote up1
Rosemary Jane has been a favorite combo of mine for a long time. June is a bright and happy name while Joan seems more mature but I like it.
vote up1
Jane is the only one I would use as I have bad associations with the other three.I know two June’s one will be about my age mid 30s as we were in brownies together and the other is I think a few years older so anywhere between 40-45. The younger one we were 7 it was just we didn’t like the same things but the older one I still see. The older June has a last name that suits her personality and I’ve never met anyone as abrupt, abrasive or dismissive. Joan was the name of one of my former managers who didn’t want to hire me but her boss did. As a result for the year we worked together she made my life hell. Joan hurt her back and left.
vote up1
This a great suite of names. If I had to choose one right now, I'd probably go for Joan because it's the brassiest.
vote up1
Joan or Jayne for a daughter,And I choose Joan over the others.
vote up1
Out of these, I like June the most.
I prefer Jeyne over Jane.
Jean is okay as a middle name.
I don’t like Joan at all.
vote up1
Since I happened to be listening to some Jean Ritchie (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdVH9eUL3HY) when I saw this post, I suppose the universe is telling me i must respond with Jean. I do rather like it more than the others at this moment. :) You don't hear it often. I do like Joan, as well. It seems like June is becoming a bit popular these days and Jane seems rather plain for me, though I do like both of these, as well!

This message was edited 6/26/2021, 7:04 AM

vote up1
I know a baby who was just born named Jeanie (not as a nn for Jean)Out of those names I’m definitely most drawn to Jean / Jeanne, but I also really like Joan a lot. I think Jude falls in line with these names too.
vote up1
1. Joan - it's closer to one of my favs: Johanna - yo-HA-na
and for now:
2. Jean - I think it's a good middle name material.
3. Jane
vote up1
I can definitely see Jane and June making a comeback. Joan and Jean? Probably not. I'd choose to name a daughter Jane. I like it a lot - it's sweet, but carries a punch.
June feels like sweaty music festivals and orange juice that's much too sweet.
Jean is plain in appearance, but actually has a fun sound. Zippy.
Joan is round and not exactly pretty, but very respectable. Makes me think of Joan of Arc.
vote up1
Jean/JeanneI agree that June seems most likely to have a grear surge in popularity. I like it. It's a family name. But its rising popularity would make me shy away from it. Jane feels next most popular. And Joan seems least likely for a comeback at the moment to me. Maybe after Joanna falls off a bit. I'm actually most fond of Jean currently, with my preferred spelling being Jeanne.
vote up1
I don't like June at all! I've only ever known one, and she was very nice, so the problem is with me I suppose.I love Jane and Jean; because Jean is a family name for me and DH, that's what I'd use. I prefer Jane but it's very close.Joan rhymes unhappily with moan; I do love Joanna though - Visions of JoHanna, Give Me Hope, JoAnna, who could resist? I'd use it as a mn to avoid the prospect of Jo.
vote up1