You’ve probably heard of John Doe – but do you know who Mary Major is?

Meet John, Jane and Baby Doe...

None of them are necessarily related – and they don’t even have to be real. John Doe has been used as an anonymous or unidentified name dating all the way back to the 18th century. In the U.S. court system, John Doe is usually reserved as the fictitious name of a PLAINTIFF – Jane Doe if it’s a woman. In the event the DEFENDANT needs some anonymity – Jane or Richard Roe will probably take the stand. John, Jane, Richard and Baby can also be called upon to represent hypothetical people who weren’t even there.

Should the Does or the Roes require some anonymous company in their case – we’ll likely hear from John Stiles and Richard Miles. Those names are often used for third and fourth participants in an action. Mary Major might even make an appearance if it’s an American federal case.