Jane

No, we don't consider Jane too plain. In fact, for a venerable and short one-syllable name, we think it packs a surprising amount of punch, as compared to the related Jean and Joan.

A very old name, Jane has been around since Tudor times, in this country moving in and out of fashion, once so common that it became generic--as in Jane Doe and G.I. Jane, then spent a considerable time as the back end of such smooshes as Maryjane, Bettyjane and Sarajane.

We think it's time for a fresh look at Jane--and not just in middle place. Just think of all the awesome Janes of the past, both real and fictive--from Austen to Addams to Eyre to Fonda.