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

Well if you think it's ok to dismiss the vast majority of potential employers from consideration, then go ahead, but I think it is unrealistic to think it is you who can choose which employer to work for. It is actually the employer who chooses, and they can (and do) choose the person they think will be the best fit, with 'fit' encompassing fitting in at the water cooler as well as in terms of qualifications.

As for a tie between two Josephs, then obviously one of them is gong to get the interview as more criteria will be applied. It still remains that Joey will probably not.

It doesn't actually matter whether it is 'right' or not. That is the way things work.

I think Joe is OK-ish, but Joey does sound 'cute' and 'young' - it lacks gravitas, unlike some other abbreviated names. I do think it's only fair to give a child a choice of a more formal name if it's going to be called an 'abbreviation'-type name.

Also, Joey Anthony doesn't flow at all, IMO.

Bethany Megan is OK, although not to my taste. Beth is lovely, though.

Joseph is very very popular. There will be one in most classes. I teach two classes which each have 3 in! (These are 11yos).

Most Joes I know are nice lads tho. BTW re the lengthening, I know someone with a Joe and nursery staff etc often call him Joseph!

Bethany is also very popular, especially if you take in Bethan/Beth etc.

Ditto Megan.

All nice names tho, but not really fitting your "not common" plan.

Most important thing tho is that you both like them!

I think the argument about Cv's/proper names etc is way OTT on this thread. She's calling him Joey, not a random made up name!!

I do agree with the fact that there will be lots of adult Poppy's etc by the time our children grow up, so there is a good chance employers will view certain names differently by then to how they might now.

But, regardless of career arguments, there are plenty of adults who would not want or feel happy with a cutesy name. You do need to use your 'formal' name quite frequently, and personally I would stick with a more neutral name - either Joseph or Joe.

somerset oh yes! I've now read the post properly and the following one! And maths put it far more eloquently than wot I did. Duh.

For the record I have the MOST common name ever and I do feel that it has hindered me professionally. I do have a chip on my shoulder about it.

My DM say "but there wasn't anyone called it when we named you"' well there soon was

awbless - math was quoting someone else with that comment, hence the ' ' around the comment. I think she agrees with you. As do I.

mathanxiety they aren't archaic views, they are reality.

Your name marks you out and people make a judgement before they even meet you. Just ask a teacher. When they take a look at their new class lists the Beyonces, Mavericks, T'Kia's are likely to be judged as being more trouble than the Williams, Sophie's and Alex's. And that follows them through life.

I'd go back to the drawing board if I were you. Particularly with Joey. Not wise. Hope you appreciate some honest feedback.

Of course if you are sure your potential DS will have as incredibly impressive a CV as Bill Gates would then by all means take the chance, but again, are you sure your DS will have that impressive list of credentials?

Many companies are looking for a good fit, someone who would mix well, someone who would go down well with clients, someone who would 'work well with others' and match the culture. It's not all down to grades in school or other tangible elements of the CV that can be measured objectively against the CVs of others. If it came to a dead heat between one set of As and another, and similar experience, my money would be on Joseph to get the interview. He could tell the interview that he was known as Joe or Joey if asked what he normally went by. But an abbreviation as formal name would indicate too unknown a quantity to most HR departments. Employees at salary level are investments and finding them takes time and effort; people are careful about who they invest in.

'I am genuinely surprised by some of the archaic views on here regarding CVs still. I think we'll just have to agree to disagree on that one, I just hope that when our child is applying for work the establishment is credible enough to be open-minded to his name. Who knows, it may even help him stand out against piles of 'Davids' and 'Williams' '

It's a big chance to take. What if things don't change much?

My sister is Bethan and I am Megan so I deff approve

I have a Joseph and wouldn't mind people calling him Joe but have made it very clear that I would not be happy at all if anyone calls him Joey. I don't like any of the "Alfie" Archie" etc type names, but Joey is one of the worst, sorry! It's a baby kangaroo, or a prat from "Friends". It's really not a good name or a grown man.

Call him Joe. Then if he ends up as a Joey, then fine, but really do think it's one of those names that he might not thank you for when he's older when he has to tell people what his "formal" name is. It's a name for a baby / child, but no further.

Sorry!

Joe Anthony is far better than Joey. The two eee sounds don't work.

Anthony is an OK name although I'm not very keen on it myself. Joey is absolutely awful. Bethany is nice but personally I am not so keen on Megan. But there's nothing wrong with it.

My DD is a Bethany. She was called Bethany up to going to secondary school when she and her friends shortened it to Beth. Both have suited her.

She is Beth to everyone in her private and working life (and she has a good job). Glad I chose it.

I like both names. Don't love them but they're perfectly good, servicable names. If I was going to choose myself it would Joseph Anthony and Megan Bethany but it's your choice and you're happy. Go for it.

The CV and judge comments on 'cutesy' names are ridiculous. There may well be truth in them now (probably is in fact) but in 10-20 years time there won't be.
There were 7319 Lily/Lilly/Lillie/Lili s born in 2011 as well as 3030 Poppy/Poppies, 2112 Lexi/Lexies, 5524 Alfies, 2805 Archies ... oh, and 165 Joeys

I suspect that a good proprotion of those 20955 children will get good jobs. The names will be seen as completely and totally normal.

I don't like the name Poppy but she sounds like she has a bit more spirit than a Lily. Just the impression the names give. I wouldn't seriously expect to be tell if a Lily was sappy and weak or a Poppy was feisty and bold before I'd met them.

I have a 'traditional' full name on my birth certificate. No-one has ever called me by it. I'm known by the shortened version by everyone - always have been. It's seems completely pointless to have this full version on my BC. The two names don't even sound alike!
As for Joey, well I have a 10 year old one - he's lovely, happy, bright and popular. If he chooses to drop the y when he get older, that's his choice. But we love his name and he seems pretty happy with it too. (Although sometimes he says he would like to be known as Maxwell!)

I did laugh at the poster harping on about Poppy not doing well as its a cutesy name.

I shall pass that on to SIL who is incredibly successful and a very high earner despite only being 29.

She shits all over my admin job, even with my sensible name.

What a load of total bollocks.

Op, ignore the ignorant ones

Bethany Megan is lovely. Congratulations on your pregnancy.

Bethany is lovely.

I'm probably showing my age here but Joey is just a term of abuse used by eighties school children. Sorry.

Bethany Megan is fine. Not exciting, but you said that didn't bother you. I find it a bit 90s - I know loads of teenagers with those names. In fact, one set of siblings.

Joey Anthony. Well, I am in the 'put Joe or Joseph' on the birth certificate camp too. Though I know you will ignore me, which of course you have every right to do. Personally I am not a fan of cutesy nicknames - Billy, Alfie, Albie, Eddie, etc. Not every adult wants their name to be cutesy. But I take your point that he could shorten Joey to Joe. So my other issue is I do think Joey Anthony sounds odd together. The 'ee' sounds together don't flow to my ear.

Congratulations on your pregnancy. Hope everything goes well with the birth.