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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To completely change it?

87 replies

BoogieBox · 23/01/2025 08:15

I thought I was having a boy from my first scan, so promised my mum I would name him Joseph (Joe) after my grandad. Well, after my scan it's clear I'm having a girl...would I be unreasonable to call her Jovie or Jovey instead? Is it even a name?

OP posts:
Thepossibility · 24/01/2025 05:20

I like Jovie, it sounds prettier than Josephine to me. Joni is ok but not Jovie? People are weird about names on here. All names are a made up collection of letters, it's just that some have been used by thousands more people than others so that makes them more acceptable for some reason? That's so weird to me. The world is so multicultural now that dismissing unusual names feels old fashioned and small minded to me.

Lemondrizzlesquash7 · 24/01/2025 01:06

I love Joella

paranoiaofpufflings · 24/01/2025 01:00

I had a dog named Jovie! I love the name obviously, I named her. But I wouldn't consider it a female version of Joseph or in any way connected to Joseph so I don't see how it fits the brief at all. If you aren't using Joseph itself (because, girl), you may as well use any other name. Using a different name doesn't mean you loved your grandad any less.

RedLightsStopSigns · 24/01/2025 00:58

Giovanna could be Jovie, maybe?

healthybychristmas · 24/01/2025 00:48

I never understand this idea of honouring someone by giving them the name that their own parents chose for them. Just give your child a name that you like. You can talk to your child about your grandad, you don't have to think of names that vaguely resemble his.

Moveoverdarlin · 24/01/2025 00:32

Of course you have a choice! I’ve never understood the pressure to choose a name just because it’s a relative’s name. Great if you like the name but it doesn’t mean you love them any less if you don’t.

Why shoehorn a name like Jovi into the name Joseph? It’s not really logical. It’s like calling a baby girl Margret because her grandad was called Martin.

I would assume you were a huge Bon Jovi fan.

What about Jojo? Or Josie. I don’t like either, just throwing them out there.

Dontknowwhattodowithmyselfnow · 24/01/2025 00:23

I immediately got Jovie from Elf, when you said. Love the name, love the film! (but Jovey is also lovely and could push the pronunciation as one could pronounce Jovie as Jaw Vey, rather than Joh Vey)... I also love Joey

NigelHarmansNewWife · 24/01/2025 00:08

I don't get the connection of Jovie to Joseph. It makes me think of "jovial" and what if she's not?

Zitouna · 23/01/2025 23:56

Posy?

Azandme · 23/01/2025 23:17

Various international feminine versions of Joseph

Josefa- Spanish

Italian - Giuseppa

English - Posy/Posie

Croatia - Finka/Jozica

French - Josiane

MyrtleLion · 23/01/2025 23:10

Did your granddad have a middle name you could use?

Borris · 23/01/2025 23:09

I would wonder if you're a Bon Jovi super fan

BoogieBox · 23/01/2025 23:08

Ameliepoulainandthephotobooth · 23/01/2025 19:27

Unusual like Joseph?

I've explained more than once, even if Joseph is not unusual, it was the name of my grandad and I can't change that!!

OP posts:
BoogieBox · 23/01/2025 23:05

lilythesheep · 23/01/2025 17:04

But Joseph is not unusual and is quite old fashioned.

It's my Grandads name. I can't help that! Once named we will explain how it's come about, and I like the spelling of Jovi.

OP posts:
MyrtleLion · 23/01/2025 22:18

Jove is another name for the Roman god Jupiter. You may have heard the exclamation, By Jove! which is like saying Oh God.

It's associated with male Essex as Jupiter (Zeus in the Greek mythology) is the father of the gods and the mightiest of them all.

Strong name ... for a boy.

EvangelicalAboutButteredToast · 23/01/2025 22:05

Jovie just doesn’t satisfy the brief, it’s nothing like Joseph. Pick it because you like it but it won’t work to commemorate your grandfather.

I had a look at variations of Josephine: Fifi, Jo, Josie, Joetta and Jojo

Cluedoless · 23/01/2025 22:03

Something unusual?
Technicolour dream coat?

24CRZZNKKA · 23/01/2025 22:01

BoogieBox · 23/01/2025 16:50

@MayaPinion @lilythesheep
I literally don't like Josephine! Awfully old fashioned IMO. No, I want an unusual name to match my son

But Joseph isn't unusual and you were going to call your baby that?

Didimum · 23/01/2025 21:34

There’s a female Jovie in my kids’ class. I really like the name.

NoCarbsForMe · 23/01/2025 21:31

Joni

Ameliepoulainandthephotobooth · 23/01/2025 19:27

BoogieBox · 23/01/2025 16:50

@MayaPinion @lilythesheep
I literally don't like Josephine! Awfully old fashioned IMO. No, I want an unusual name to match my son

Unusual like Joseph?

CoffeeBeansGalore · 23/01/2025 19:27

Tenuous link to Joseph - the Seph part -
Seraphine/Seraphina?

Arcticlife · 23/01/2025 19:23

Oooh I love it!!

Housebuy1 · 23/01/2025 17:41

Hardlyworking · 23/01/2025 09:16

Everyone will assume she is a witness. Definitely wouldn't use jovey or jovie

Edited

Yes…and all Cathy’s are catholic….🙄

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