John / Johnny and other associated musings...

[lizzie1977]

Hi
I've been reading these threads for months now looking for inspiration. DH has been impossible and I've finally agreed to the shortlist below after his paltry contributions and mostly veto'ing of all my favourites which he thinks are plain weird! He is mega traditional and would probably choose Sophie or William, given his way. I, myself, would probably choose Primrose or Abraham lol!

Am due in 2 weeks and we have a very grudgingly agreed shortlist below, already.

B:
Samuel John David (Brother's name, FIL, father's names respectively)
William John David (Am finding William too commonly used now though so doubt I will agree to this - it's DH's no 1 choice. I love Bill though)
Patrick John David (bit ho hum on this tbh)

G:
Josephine Elizabeth (don't want her to be called Jo)
Alexandra Elizabeth (Quite happy with this)
Florence Elizabeth (Doubt will use this)

So, we are not very far-forward and agreed even though in principle we are, iyswm!

DH's dad is named John and he is very unwell and may not live long. We had never considered John for a first name (I thought too boring) but I had a (probably)hormonally-charged moment yesterday and thought how much I do like the name Johnny. DH loves it. I wouldn't want Johnny on the birth certificate though as it is quite nicknamey so would have to put John. Then I come back to John being boring........

Is John horribly boring? I mean it has dropped totally out of popularity and is trending downwards every year so in theory should be less boring, in some ways, as it becomes more unusual. Johnny on birth certificate is a no no, right?

Would appreciate any thoughts you have on any of this. Am at wit's end. Thanks!

[nooka]

I think that John is a great name, and really like Johnny too. I think you are right not to use it on the BC. The obvious other alternative is Jonathon, which would give you Jon, Johnny or Jonty.

I don't think it is boring - I bet you'd get plenty of positive comments.

[lizzie1977]

Thank you for your thoughts. Am not as struck on Jonathan - would be easier if I was!

I think I've got to the stage where every viable name left gets over-analysed! :)

[5DollarShake]

Johnny is a great name, though agree you'd have to use John on the BC. Good luck deciding!!

[nooka]

Could you persuade your dh to let you pick something more adventurous for a middle name if you go for a name he loves as the first name?

John Abraham sounds good.

I like Alexandra Elizabeth.

[Komondor]

John is a great name. I know a baby John and hes adorable, and it will be such an unusual name for your sons age group.

I like Alexandra Elizabeth best from your girls options, although I like the other two names too.

I like all your boys options. I like John as a first name best of all.

[LoubyLoubyLouLa]

I agree with nooka Jonty is lurverly!

[tummytickler]

I love Jonathan nn Jonty, it is utterly fabulous. I also adore John, really cute - timeless classic rather than boring I would say. I find Thomas/Jack/Oliver far, far more boring.
I prefer John to any of your first names.

[JamieLeeCurtis]

I love John, but, personally, hate Johnny. I think John is solid and classic, not boring

One of my sons is Evan - named partly after my brother John (it's the Welsh variant), and my FIL John.

[JamieLeeCurtis]

I like both the girls names equally

[emptyshell]

Only issue with John, for a short while at least is that kids seem to be utterly incapable of spelling it so he's going to spend a good few years getting Christmas cards to Jhon!

My brother's named similar because of his father/grandfather's names - he's Fraser (never gets spelt right) John Michael (another one prone to misspellings!).

I love Samuel, was a massively high choice for us before I miscarried.

[flopsy1974]

I love all your girls names. they are lovley.
I have a Patrick Joseph and a William John (William is supposed to be a popular name but he is the only one in his primary school and we don't know any others - although I think this depends on the area you live in.)
As far a the name John goes it is a timeless classic. In my opinion strong, timeless, classic names suit boys well. To be honest I don't think you can go far wrong with any of the names on your shortlist.

[megonthemoon]

John is a great name - my dad, my uncle and my grandad are all John. My uncle is known as Johnny and I love this even more - slightly mischievous version of John, but works well for a baby and for an adult.

I know a little boy called Johnny - it is fab on a toddler.

If not that, then could you not go with William nn Bill so you both have something you like?

[darleneconnor]

Josephine will get shortened so dont use it if you're not happy with nn.

What about Johnson or John-Paul or Sean as alternatives to John?

[FIMBOfedupofrandomfireworks]

I like Johnnie. Also know a Johnston.

[cece]

I have a Jonny. He has Jonathan on his BC.

Personnally I love it and so far we have not met another child called this. A couple of adults but no children.

[onimolap]

Johnny stopped being used as a nn (in my generation at least) because of the contraceptive associations. Would that still be a consideration?

I like both John and Jonathan.

[lizzie1977]

Oh yes - condoms - I'd forgotten that one!!

Thanks for the thoughts. I do think Jonty is a great alternative too. Heaps of interesting ideas here. I was nervous to post but it's helping, for sure.

We are in NZ after moving from the UK 3 months ago (I'm kiwi, DH is English) so I look at popularity lists for both countries as well as trends etc. It seems even more the trend here than in UK to give babies quite unique names so tbh, I've not come across barely any traditionally named LO's at groups etc. That suits us, really, as although I proclaim to prefer the more unusual names, particularly for a boy, I think when it comes to the crunch, I'll agree solid & traditional works best for us.

DD is Juliet & I do like the idea of a Juliet & a John.

In saying all this, it's probably going to be a girl again!

[cece]

So far the condom thing hasn't been a problem for us. These days the 'youngsters' seem to call them rubbers or condoms I think.

My mum did ask me why I had called him after a French Letter soon after his birth though. I asked her what a French Letter was. She was too embarassed to say Oh and it took MIL about 12 months to actually call him Jonny. She was the only one who called him Jonathan...

[emptyshell]

You could make a point of shortening Josephine to Josie to pre-empt the Jo thing somewhat?

[Greenwing]

John is a lovely name. It is ideal - a strong, classic, classless name which everybody knows but which is currently quite unusual - not even in the top 100 for boys.

[TheNextMrsDepp]

John is lovely, it was our choice for dd2 if she had been ds2!

It is definitely due a revival.

[spler]

John is my favourite name in the world and I am very happy that it is out of fashion! It's simple, strong, biblical and classless. My Johnny has never met another one his age.
Love Juliet too - was my 2nd choice for John's twin sister, we must have v similar taste

[Cortina]

I've met a few Johnnys and Johns - 10 years to about 4 years. Great name.

[imahappycamper]

I have a Jonathan who calls himself Jonny.
Someone told me that if adults call themselves Jonty everyone assumes they are gay.