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Baby names

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

Original poster

Joseph or Caleb

33 replies

SweetPea86 · 02/12/2013 19:36

Since I found out I was preg I decided if I was having a boy he would be called Joseph.

Was looking for other pos names last night since found out having a boy. And came across Caleb

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sparklysilversequins · 06/12/2013 11:53

Joseph. I always think that Caleb sounds like he should be preaching fire and brimstone in a white board church in the Deep South.

sonlypuppyfat · 06/12/2013 11:46

Caleb very Kings of Leon, Joseph is just a bit dull he'll be one of many.

Anjou · 06/12/2013 11:39

Joseph/Joe has always been poplar as its a lovely, strong name. It's been super popular the last 20 years, I'd say. I know lots of all ages. It never feels 'common' or over-popular though for some reason.

I fell in love with the name Caleb after watching the TV show American Gothic. That was probably the best part of 20 years ago now. However, as other posters have said, its now becoming quite popular and I suspect it will date quite badly. I think it's that guy from Kings of Leon's fault.

Caleb is a nicer name IMO, but it depends if you're bothered that it may become very indicative of its time a la 'Liam' and 'Ellie' have become in my neck of the woods. (Nothing wrong with those names either, but you can narrow down when those kids were born to a 5 year period).

Tapiocapearl · 05/12/2013 23:14

Adore Joseph. Very solid name.

itstheyearzero · 05/12/2013 22:18

I have a Joseph, its a fab name. Plus you can call him Jo BeWan Kinobe. Always a bonus!

EthethethethChrisWaddle · 05/12/2013 22:02

They are both lovely names, if I didn't already have a Joseph in the family I probably would have named one of mine. I do have a Caleb so am very biased towards that name.

Who cares if it's trendy now? I'm not at all bothered that my name dates me to being born in the 70's. It's just my name.

Anyway, I've met about 2 other Calebs but know loads of Josephs. It is a bit of Joe A and Joe B at school here. Very popular.

rosebudandvodka · 05/12/2013 20:12

Joseph.
Perfect for all ages Smile

dramajustfollowsme · 05/12/2013 14:36

My lovely nephew is Joseph. I'm not keen on Caleb, bit trendy at the moment. Think it could end up being the "Christopher" of this generation.

Rowboat · 05/12/2013 14:22

Joesph. Sorry but can't stand Caleb.

maishoffwcingras · 05/12/2013 13:07

caleb

bigkidsdidit · 05/12/2013 12:40

There really aren't that many joes btw. It's not a top ten name I don't think.

bigkidsdidit · 05/12/2013 12:39

I have a Joseph nn Joe. He's only 6 months but true to the comments above he's a lovely smiley friendly baby Grin

Clawdy · 05/12/2013 12:34

Caleb definitely,maybe Cal for short (but then my favourite film is East of Eden!) Joseph is nice but he will certainly be Joe to his friends as he gets older,and there are far more Joes than Calebs!

AryaofhouseSnark · 04/12/2013 22:48

I like them both, but think ?Joseph has better nn - Joefish or Joebot, Joe or Joey. I might be a bit biased though.

TobyLerone · 04/12/2013 22:46

I have a Joseph (Joe), and I love it. He's 14 now and unlikely ever to be the only Joe in his class/workplace, but it has never bothered him yet.

I agree with what a pp said -- I've never known an adult Joe who wasn't a great bloke.

ToffeeJungle · 04/12/2013 11:21

Love both!

They were on our shortlist for DS but couldn't have Caleb really due to our 'unusual' surname and ruled out Joseph in the end as don't like the inevitable nn Joe / Joey.

Spaghettinetti · 04/12/2013 08:48

Joseph.

BunnyLebowski · 03/12/2013 08:54

Joseph. Definitely.

It's a fabulous name.

Caleb isn't.

mammywelsh1 · 03/12/2013 08:54

Personally I'd go for Joseph...purely because in my area there are a lot of Caleb's appearing at the moment

StayAwayFromDeliriumDive · 03/12/2013 06:53

Joseph - as I have one!

I quite like Caleb too though.

Tikkamasala · 02/12/2013 22:31

Definitely Joseph, really nice name. Not keen on Caleb.

If that's the sort of name you like, also what about Samuel, Jacob, joshua, noah, Adam, Daniel, Benjamin, Elijah, Jonah?

HuglessDouglas · 02/12/2013 22:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

FirstOnRecallDay · 02/12/2013 21:47

Caleb is a beautiful name, not so keen on Joseph... Nn would ultimately be Joe and is rather common, as in frequently come across Wink

Alisvolatpropiis · 02/12/2013 21:32

Joseph.

PrammyMammy · 02/12/2013 20:37

Joseph is lovely.