Overall I like
Jane. It's recognizable, almost timeless, and sounds a little serious but also sweet. I do think it sounds plain but in a cute way. And I don't think the phrase "Plain
Jane" should stop someone from naming their baby
Jane if they want to.
I like the nickname
Janie but I also think it looks weird.
Janie looks like it rhymes with
Annie instead of
Lainey.
Janey is a little better with that problem but
Janie still looks cuter.
That said I don't like
Jane enough to use it, but if I had to I would want it as a middle name with a longer first name like
Wilhelmina Jane,
Seraphina Jane,
Amaryllis Jane,
Leonie Jane,
Lydia Jane,
Beatrice Jane,
Violet Jane,
Iris Jane,
Persephone Jane,
Talitha Jane, etc.
I also really like
Joan. I think
Joan is more dated than
Jane but I like the vibes. It's like a more serious but also braver and maybe 'edgier' version of
Jane.
Joan is more 'cool' and
Jane is more 'sweet and innocent' but they're both simple and fit a variety of personalities.