What do you think of these two girls names?

[myredcardigan]

Josephine or Jocelyn?
I really like Josie so was thinking Josephine as I'd always go for a full version IYKWIM. DH likes Josie too but is keener on Jocelyn which I also quite like. So no conflict really but opinions gratefully received. Do either of them sound awful or have bad connotations or seem tacky or anything? Just need to check there's no evil character in literature or anything.

[frumpygrumpy]

Jocelyn makes me think of that american woman who had all the plastic surgery. She looks like a bloody vampire. I can only see old people with that name. Sorry, just giving you my gut reaction.

Josephine is great. We have one in our family, distant, she is really lovely. She is Jo to us and Josie sometimes to my cousin.

[cheesesarnie]

like jocelyn.but i know one who always gets shortened to joss.

id just go for josie its beutiful

[Nancy66]

I like Josephine. It's a classic, very feminine name.
Love Josie or Jo-Jo for short.

Jocelyn sounds a bit harsh to me. Josephine is softer and more feminine but perhaps that's because Jocelyn is a unisex name

[frumpygrumpy]

Now Joss, as in Joss Stone, thats different.......

[controlfreakyagain]

i had a pony called josie, she was sweet and lovely...

[myredcardigan]

Ah Frumpy, that's the sort of thing I was worried about. (That either name made people shudder)
LIF, I just can't bring myself to just call her Josie

[LyraSilvertongue]

Jocelyn - makes me think of the comedy show Little Miss Jocelyn.
Josephine much nicer imo.

[myredcardigan]

Not sure about Jo Jo but Joss is ok. Could either name be shortened to Joss? Though we do both like Josie.

[Cecy]

If you could avoid Josephine being shortened to Jo then that would be my choice. I love the nickname Posy for Josephine, not especially fond of Josie.
I dislike the unisex aspect of Jocelyn.

[frumpygrumpy]

I love any incarnation of Josephine. Its a soft name that is a bit rock and roll too.

[Tinker]

Josie is good; I think of Josie and the Pussycats.

[myredcardigan]

The unisex thing hadn't occurred to me. Probably not to DH either as he keeps saying how feminine it is. I think since watching A Knight's Tale.

[controlfreakyagain]

yeah, jocelyn reminds me of hilary and evelyn... iykwim

[edam]

I'm going to buck the trend and say I'd prefer Jocelyn to Josephine. Strikes me as one of those feminine versions of male names which are just trying too hard. Like Nigella (and I know Nigella is a plant, but still...)

[colander]

Jocelyn

[edam]

there was a horrible Josephine in one of the Enid Blyton school stories, btw - put me off the name for life!

[ButterflyMcQueen]

josephine is sweet and wears plaits - a good girl she does like ponies and baking

Jocelyn is a wee bit naughty but bloody bright she likes to run wild and free. her hair is rats tails but when she hits 15 the boys queue up for her!

[myredcardigan]

Butterfly if I can change 15 to 25 then Jocelyn sounds good!

Why do so many people think of ponies when they hear Josephine? She will not be having a pony!

[lilolilmanchester]

Josie gets my vote too. It's a really pretty(but strong) name anyway, and it reminds me of a a really lovely girl at school.

[Chamomile]

I think Jocelyn sounds unfriendly. Josie is nice. I like Josette too and Joey.

[myredcardigan]

I think we will go with Josie whatever rather than Joss or Jo. Just not sure whether to go for Josephine or Jocelyn as her full name. Do they both pass the PM test I wonder!?!

[hatwoman]

Jocelyn is stronger and more womanly and classless (in a good way). But I have to say I think Josie is ok in its own right. I wouldn't name a child Jo but Josie is fine. all lovely anyway.

[nooka]

Prefer Josephine. I would expect Jocelyn to be a boy.