Message: "Jean / Jeanne" - Behind the Name

Jean / Jeanne

by Piccadilly

2/14/2018, 6:17 AM

I've been thinking about honoring names lately and Jean has come up. It's my grandmother's middle name and what she went by as a child. What do you think of Jean? Is it usable today? Do you prefer that spelling, Jeanne, or maybe even Jeane? I personally prefer Jeanne as a first name and Jean as a middle name. However, because I overthink things and it's honoring, do you think Jean should be the spelling for both the first and middle name spots?

If you're feeling generous, I'd love to see what combos you feel may freshen up Jean / Jeanne.

Thanks!

#Jean #Jeanne

Replies

- Cayden (theparkite) +1

2/14/2018, 4:35 PM

I definitely think Jean (or Jeanne) is usable today. I prefer the Jeanne spelling because it’s less likely to be confused with the male name Jean (which is pronounced differently), but this may be bias from knowing French.

If you’re honoring, however, I think you should stick with the same spelling as the person you’re honoring (otherwise it’s a different name).

Because Jean(ne) is a simple name, it needs a more complex middle to avoid a boring feel (in my opinion, of course):

Jeanne Primrose
Jeanne Phaedra
Jeanne Solange
Jeanne Carlotta
Jeanne Constantina
Jeanne Anastasia
Jeanne Marigold
Jeanne Viviana

Jean Primrose
Jean Phaedra
Jean Solange
Jean Carlotta
Jean Constantina
Jean Anastasia
Jean Marigold
Jean Viviana

This message was edited 2/14/2018, 4:40 PM

- Piccadilly

2/15/2018, 9:09 PM

Yeah, I'm thinking that because it's an honoring name I should probably stick to the Jean spelling.

You've mentioned some fantastic combos. Jean(ne) Primrose and Jean(ne) Marigold really stand—I'm a huge fan of flower names.

Thank you!

- Janan (jeziana) +1

2/14/2018, 1:44 PM

Jean would be my preference for simplicity's sake.

Hermione Granger's middle name was Jean. You could go with Jean Hermione?

Jean Rosalind
Jean Sarah (a nice twist on Sarah Jane!)
Jean Zoe
Jean Miranda
Jean Dominique
Jean Matilda
Jean Laura
Jean Cora
Jean Olivia

- Piccadilly

2/15/2018, 9:06 PM

I always thought Hermione's middle name was Jane. Weird. It is a fun combo though, and I love that it would honor St. Hermione as well.

Jean Matilda, Jean Cora, and Jean Olivia are lovely. Thank you!

- queenv (guest) +1

2/14/2018, 10:51 AM

I'm not fond of the name. No particular reason other than just not caring for the sound of it. I think it's usable.

It's my sister's middle name. In her case it's spelled Jeanne and I prefer that spelling. However, if I were honoring a Jean, that's the spelling I'd use.

- Piccadilly

2/15/2018, 9:05 PM

I can' accept that. I understand Jean(ne) isn't everyone's taste.

Thanks!

- Tassiegirl +1

2/14/2018, 10:16 AM

It's my name, Jean, that spelling. My middle name, but the one I've always used. That was my parent's choice, to avoid confusion with the aunt(Kathryn) that I'm named for.
I do like my name. It has lasted well!

so, my combo is Kathryn Jean.

- Piccadilly

2/15/2018, 9:04 PM

I love your name! Kathryn Jean is really sweet.

Also, thank you for sharing your experience with the name. :)

- Anneza +6

2/14/2018, 9:00 AM

I don't think Jean was ever popular enough to need freshening - certainly not where I live. I'd be happy to meet a young Jean, and happy to use it myself.

Jeane makes about as much sense as Jille or Ruthe. Not a lot. If you live where there are lots of boys named Jean with the French pronunciation, then Jeanne would be useful. But if you don't plan to use the French pronunciation, then why confuse the issue?

- Piccadilly

2/15/2018, 9:02 PM

I'm not a fan of Jeane at all. I just thew it out there with Jean and Jeanne to see how it fared.

I spend quite a bit of time in Maine so maybe Jeanne would be more useful for me. Hm...

- Tassiegirl +4

2/14/2018, 10:21 AM

(I'm Jean). I do live in a French-speaking area, and my name does cause a bit of confusion, nothing major. If I spelled it Jeanne, that would make it clear, but my name is my name, I'm not going to change it. Pig-headed, just a bit.

One of my grand-daughters has it as a middle name.

- Anneza +1

2/15/2018, 12:37 AM

My half-Scottish SIL, Jean, applied for a visa (maybe - some kind of travel document) to go to Madagascar and filled in the forms and sent them all off complete with photos. Her hair was very short and sporty and she only got the one given name. So, back came her documentation addressed to Mr Jean Lastname. She felt rather insulted, but didn't try to correct it and was never queried.

- Tassiegirl

2/15/2018, 11:36 AM

Yeah, I'd feel insulted too!
For me, it usually happens, for example, when cashing a cheque..."Are you doing this for your husband? or your son?"
"No, it's me"
"You have a man's name!"
"Well...it's an English name"
"Really!"

- Norah (norah_girl) +1

2/14/2018, 11:01 AM

I have a friend who was named J'ahn and she recently changed it to Jeanne because she thought it was so ridiculous and it caused so much confusion!

- Anneza

2/15/2018, 12:40 AM

Good for her!

I knew a girl whose one and only fn is Zahn. Her parents wanted to use Zahn as a nn for Alexandra, but decided that less was more. Which was fine until she started German classes at school and instantly acquired the nn Tooth!

- Eileen (XironDarkstar) +1

2/14/2018, 8:26 AM

Jean is a very nice name. Jeanne is nice to. I think they are much more interesting then Jane, which is just so common.

- Piccadilly

2/15/2018, 8:59 PM

I see Jean(ne) as more interesting as Jane as well. Thanks!

- Tisiphone +1

2/14/2018, 6:19 AM

I find Jean really ugly, though Jeannie is cute. I like Jeanne but don't pronounce them the same way.

- Piccadilly

2/15/2018, 8:57 PM

I hadn't really considered that others will be pronouncing Jeanne and Jean differently. Thanks for the reminder!

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