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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Charlotte or Josephine?

28 replies

Ferret123 · 01/06/2012 11:03

Hi everyone,

Any help would be much appreciated here - we are expecting our second little girl at the end of this year, and we're stumped for a name...which out of these do you prefer? We want a classic, timeless name, and we like Charlotte but don't really want her to be one of five in her class when she goes to school. From what I can see though it's not in the top ten so maybe we'd get away with it.

I've recently started thinking about Josephine too, I can't work out if it's a really pretty name or a bit dated - I do like it but am undecided. As you can tell I'm a bit all over the place! Any help appreciated

Thanks

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sashh · 06/06/2012 06:31

Er.............. listen the the MacLads song 'Charlotte', then call her Josephine. Or maybe don't, it will completely put you off Charlotte which is a very nice name.

BikeRunSki · 05/06/2012 23:52

Josephine, to me it is no contest.

NappiesandGladrags · 05/06/2012 23:40

I like Charlotte and the nn lottie - i much prefer lottie too charlie etc

I ADORE Josephine , (chooce it, choose it!)

Other names

Phillipa
Susannah
Martha
Felicity
Madelaine
Tabitha
Matilda
Marianne / Marianne

smokeandglitter · 04/06/2012 18:11

Josephine!

I am a Josephine and have never met another. Lots of people compliment it, which is nice too. Grin I get called Jo, Jo-jo and Sephi.

Sarcalogos · 04/06/2012 18:10

Love both, but would go Charlotte if it was me.

1944girl · 04/06/2012 17:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Ferret123 · 02/06/2012 18:44

Thank you everyone! I am still no closer to deciding but it's good to get other opinions. My husband isn't that keen on Josephine as a first name so we may well go with the other...but they are both lovely so I won't be disappointed.

thanks!

OP posts:
CakeBump · 01/06/2012 17:15

I like Josephine, nn Joss.

trilottie · 01/06/2012 17:10

Tee hee I'm a Charlotte Rose! I used to hate my name, now I'm a bit meh about it. It just seems such a mouthful! I've never been a lottie (despite my username) or a charlie. I don't meet that many other Charlottes my age tbh. Now I'm thinking about naming my own daughter I realise how difficult it is finding the right name though :)
When I was born people asked my mum if I was named after the Charlotte Rhodes (a sailing ship in a tv series).

MoonHare · 01/06/2012 16:37

Pick Charlotte!

I'm a Charlotte and I love my name. I am obviously older than the other Charlotte MNers coz I was the only one in every school I attended and never even met another until I was 18. When I was young I wished for a more ordinary name, all my friends were called Nicola or Claire! Now I'm very glad to have a classic name. And these days it's not at all outlandish while not being overly common. I only know one little Charlotte who is 4.

No-one has ever called me Char, Lottie or Charlie (unless I wanted them to), so I wouldn't worry about nns.

Josephine is a lovely name but it's 3 syllables to Charlotte's 2 so is clunkier imo and not as strong.

LittlePandaBear · 01/06/2012 14:13

My not Me!

LittlePandaBear · 01/06/2012 14:13

Me niece is Charlotte Rose, so I think it sounds lovely and is a pretty name. Rose has some family meaning too although I know it's a popular middle name. I don't mind Josephine but i don't think it's as feminine sounding as Charlotte.

IndigoBell · 01/06/2012 14:13

I love Josephine. Nn Jodie.

I also love Charlotte - but prefer Josephine.

CharlieBoo · 01/06/2012 14:03

Charlotte is a complete classic, I love it and Lottie is gorgeous... My 13 year old niece is called Charlotte and her friends call her Chaz or Char though ?? :-/

BackforGood · 01/06/2012 13:38

I like both, but I'd definitely go with Josephine. Charlotte is a 'well used' name but I only know two Josephines one in her 60s (at least!) and on would be about 14 now I think. It also has a lovely range of possible 'shortenings' which gives it the edge over Charlotte.

WithACherryOnTop · 01/06/2012 13:33

They're both nice,but I'd go with Josephine.

TheonlyoneIknow · 01/06/2012 13:30

I think Grace will be the middle name of 2011, I know at least a handful!

I really like Charlotte :) I have Cassandra on my list (Cassie)

GoPoldark · 01/06/2012 13:03

Josephine, definitely.

Lovely name. Posy is a great nn.

Yes, Rose is the Louise of the 2010s when it comes to middle names!

Sariska · 01/06/2012 12:47

I have a Josephine. Love the name and don't know any others. I think it's gaining in popularity but is well outside the top 200 at the moment, if that matters to you.

Really like Charlotte too and know more my own age (30s) than under 5.

StepOutOfSpring · 01/06/2012 12:13

Josephine is lovely and not too popular ATM.

Charlotte is OK but a bit clunkier.

AThingInYourLife · 01/06/2012 12:13

I love Josephine, it's fab.

Charlotte is nice but a bit overused.

cookiesnap · 01/06/2012 12:06

Josephine is a really lovely name, and I haven't met any little ones (though I know at least four Charlottes). Jo and Josie are such great nns too.

strawberrypenguin · 01/06/2012 12:05

I'm a Charlotte too nd I like it. Only one other in my school year and Ive never worked with another. I love Rose as a middle name think the two work well together. I have a four letter middle name too, I think it balances well.

StellaNova · 01/06/2012 12:03

I'm not a fan of Josephine by the way, although Jo, Joey and Josie are OK

StellaNova · 01/06/2012 12:00

Stellan! I am a Charlotte too - how odd that we have similar MN names too. I have always liked my name, like you was the only one at primary school and then knew a few others in later life.

Growing up I liked being a Bronte sister and also the character in the book Charlotte Sometimes