Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

Can I call my baby Jessica?

112 replies

RedPepperOrangePepper · 11/06/2018 19:01

I’ve name changed as this is quite outing. My partner has a DD called Holly. I am pregnant with our DD who I did want to name Jessica. This has been my favourite name for years. Growing up all my dolls had the name Jessica and I was thrilled when I found out we were having a girl and I could use that name. But having heard OH say the names together I am starting to worry about what people will say! Are we going to have to pick a different name?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
YearOfYouRemember · 11/06/2018 19:59

We wanted to name our dd one of the names and then the children were killed. I did ask dh if we should pick a different name but he said no. We named her the name and no one has ever said anything.

You'll always get some people who will say stupid stuff. If you can deal with them then name your dd Jessica.

Brakebackcyclebot · 11/06/2018 19:59

When I 1st read our OP I didn't see the connection. But as soon as I said Holly & Jessica out loud, my next thought was "oh shit". Sorry.

Original poster
RedPepperOrangePepper · 11/06/2018 19:56

Holly is seven. We have her every weekend and quite a bit of the holidays. I think I’m going to have to think again about names. Thanks for the input.

OP posts:
happymummy12345 · 11/06/2018 19:55

I didn't remember about the connection until I read it further down the thread.
I'd use it. Even if you had to say both names if you were out somewhere i highly doubt anyone would be paying too much attention (people tend to just get on with their own thing I've found).
Jessica's my girls name, if ds had been a dd she would have been Jessica. (if we have a girl in the future of course).

(Trust someone to bring up the dislike of hyphenated names though. There's always one. It's a good job I'm not easily offended by how much people here dislike them. I love having a hyphenated name, much better than having a middle name that no one knows and that's never used).

Poppyfields21 · 11/06/2018 19:48

What is the age difference between the two of the OP? Realistically how often will you even say the names together? I also didn’t instantly think about it and agree that unless you live in the Soham area it’s not an issue.

daisypond · 11/06/2018 19:47

I didn't make the link at all and I remember the case well. I still think it's OK.

Polly2345 · 11/06/2018 19:46

I had no idea what the connection was until I read people's responses. I'd go for it if I was you.

bellanotte22 · 11/06/2018 19:43

It's the first thing that I thought of. Personally I wouldn't just due to the tragic link, it's too sad.

MarthaArthur · 11/06/2018 19:42

I love the name Jessa though but obviously its your choice and as someone said upthread they were beautiful girls its only negative because of what happened to them.

MarthaArthur · 11/06/2018 19:41

I saw a link with holly wells and jessica chapman straight away sorry. As a middle name yes but i personally wouldnt.

Sugarpiehoneyeye · 11/06/2018 19:37

Of course you can, they were both beautiful girls, and their names should live on forever. 🌸🌸

ScarletBegonia1234 · 11/06/2018 19:32

I love Jessamy...(and wanted to use it but dh vetod it)

SuperSharpShooter82 · 11/06/2018 19:27

I didn't make the link at all!

Glumglowworm · 11/06/2018 19:23

It’s what I thought of seeing it here

But in real life I’m not sure I’d be thinking about it in the same way (on here it’s kind of looking for problems, in real life people tend to just accept other people’s names without giving it much thought)

I think especially since they’ll be half sisters so less of a “set” it’s okay

llangennith · 11/06/2018 19:21

Didn’t occur to me at all. Call her whatever you want.

KerplunkChampion · 11/06/2018 19:21

I wouldn't, even though I'd use the name Madeleine

Abetes · 11/06/2018 19:19

I would use the name. I didn’t immediately think of it being associated with the Soham killings.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 11/06/2018 19:17

I didn’t make the link at all.

FoofFighter · 11/06/2018 19:17

Assuming it's the Soham thing..

FoofFighter · 11/06/2018 19:17

You are overthinking this.

bridgetreilly · 11/06/2018 19:16

I think it's okay but it's a close call. If you've got another name you like, pick that.

Petalflowers · 11/06/2018 19:16

My first thought was that it should be fine.

I wondered what the concern would be until I read the posts staying on.

Unless you live in the area of Soham, then I think you should be fine. Also, as time goes on, less people will be aware of the link.

mynameisnotmichaelcaine · 11/06/2018 19:15

I'm a teacher, and I very clearly remember the case, but I genuinely would not bat an eyelid at siblings called Holly and Jessica. I think it would be different if one or both were very unusual, but I really wouldn't worry.

halcyondays · 11/06/2018 19:13

I wouldn't either

ReadytoTalk · 11/06/2018 19:12

I wouldn't.

Swipe left for the next trending thread