We've finally agreed on names! And they are.....

This website never ceases to amaze me which is why I keep coming back for more after all these years.

Netmums is a site, you know. And my comment was tongue in cheek.

Thank you for your advice on how best to spend my time though. If you don't want people responding to your posts, then don't post.

I have chosen five fab (full) names for my children, the youngest of whom is now 11 and the oldest of whom is now 22 and gainfully employed. The next youngest two (aged 19 and 17) managed to get themselves summer jobs in legal firms thanks to their solid CVs and they are hoping to get the same jobs next summer too.

Your good wishes are most appreciated.

I didn't realise there were that many! Perhaps they'll all change their name to Gertrude.

VivienneMary, are you suggesting that there is going to be a mass cull of little girls called Poppy before they reach adulthood? There were 2,932 new ones last year alone - where are they all going to disappear to?!

People haven't been tactless and rude, they have given their honest opinion. Because you asked.

A joey is a baby kangaroo not a man.

I don't think there will be lots of adult Poppy's. There will be a sprinkling of them. It's a pretty name but I don't think it will stand the test of time. But who knows!

Well there's your mistake right there -- this isn't Netmums.

Ah yes, those Joey Deacon references just went on and on in the early 80's!

The insult came about as the result of a Blue Peter programme in the 80s that championed the life of Joey Deacon, who had cerebral palsy. As kids we were all supposed to be in awe of his achievements and his valiant struggle against severe disability and prejudice. In reality, everyone went to school the next day and started calling anyone who made a mistake a 'Joey', accompanied by face-pulling. It was so widespread at the time. But, actually, he was a pretty amazing chap - so why not name your baby after him? (And if we want to get really picky, his real name was actually Joseph anyway! )

I like Joel Anthony, nn Joey as others have suggested. That way you have another option if your child ends up in a class with three Josephs, all known as Joe or Joey. (You may have underestimated what a popular name Joseph is, and hence the Joey nickname that goes with it.) It also means that no-one can have any excuse for assuming his name must be short for Joseph!

Why did you ask "what do you all think" if you don't actually care what other opinions are?

I love the name Beth, but would put Bethany/Betha on the BC.

I love the name Meg, but would use Megan on the BC.

So I like you girls name. It is slightly dated abut 10yrs behind the trend but still very nice. It is very welsh sounding too.

I'm afraid I'm in the Joey is a fine cutesy nickname but you need a more formal alternative for occasions when that is required camp.

There really are a few occasions when a proper formal name is much more appropriate than the cutesy nickname you used as a child. It's good to have that option and I can imagine your son slightly resenting that as an adult when he'd like to project some gravitas on occasions and has to introduce himself as Joey.

This is a frequent debate on here.

Angel and Jensen are actual names. One is a Hispanic boys' and one is Danish/Scandinavian. There is a difference between an ethnic name and an abbreviation. Quincy is also a real name, not an abbreviation. Beyonce means 'my mother made it up'.

I'm really quite shocked at all the fuss over the names, particularly Joey. It's really not that bad. There are far worse names about. If you love it, OP, go for it. It sounds like you will anyway. Good for you!

I'm sorry. I refuse to believe, unless you give me a signed affidavit, that a middle class professional couple called their baby Beyonce.

Unfortunately though, Joey DOES has many negative connotations. I too well remember its use as an insult back in the 80's. It may have been a long time ago but it was the first thing I thought of even after all these years!

OP i think if you have not yet been put off the name after all these comments then you must REALLY like the name and should go for it.

I also don't like the names (especially joey) but that's not important.

This is exactly why i intend to not tell a soul once I finally decide on a name.

ps. after all this i bet it's a girl now! :)

You are naming a man not a baby.

The thing is, Owl, it's not just about formal discrimination which is, and should be, illegal. It's more about intangible, gut reactions to things. Like it or not, probably quite a few prosective employers will (initially, in the early days when your DS is trying to break into the job market, at least) be a bit older and will be likely to make -even subconcious - judgements about a person on paper.

It's human nature. It happens. You can legislate for everything, but you can't control people's thoughts. I know that if I came across a CV for a Joey or an Alfie, I'd probably take them a little less seriously than someone with another name. It's not big and it's not clever, but it's how humans function. Joey and Alfie will already be on the back foot when applying for jobs because I've already made a tiny (probably incorrect) judgement about them.

I'm not saying that people will stick to their judgements and first impressions, regardless of the facts. They won't, unless they're a bit stupid. But first impressions - like it or not - are important. Why create a hurdle for your child where there doesn't really need to be one?

That's my thought process on the matter, anyway. :)