Joseph

Don’t use it if you don’t like Joe.

@BruegeITheElder - I know it's not shortened because he told me! We somehow got into a conversation about why people don't always use their full names (his mum and I use very shortened versions of our names when talking to/ about each other) and he said his was never shortened, and gave examples of friends who have nicknames/shortenings. So I do know it to be true!

I have a Joseph, now 20 yo, usually called Joe.

A lovely name ❤️

3 in my sons class
So Joe Joey and Joseph

There's another one in another class - he's Ginger Joe

My eldest boy (14) is Joseph. Some of his friends call him Joe but I always call him Joseph! So do his three younger brothers. It’s a beautiful, timeless name!

I have a teen Joseph. You can have him if you like?? 🙈

I know a 10yr old Joseph who has never been shortened to Joe, or anything else for that matter

That you know of! Which begs the question: If a person calls OP's son "Joe" and OP is not around to hear it, does it make a sound?

I wouldn't even think to click with the biblical references.

Really? Wow. I think 99.9% of British people would.

Another Joseph here too, he's nearly 9 so obviously knows his own mind now

He does get called Joe by some of his friends & relatives, but he will always be Joseph to me.
Noah & Joseph sound like good strong names, I wouldn't even think to click with the biblical references.

Lovely name, but yes, will inevitably be called Joe. You are kidding yourself if you think you can dictate what other people call them after the age of about 5.

My brother is Joseph. He's known as Joe to his work colleagues and mates and Seph to the family. I started it as a toddler so he's got me to blame!

I know a 10yr old Joseph who has never been shortened to Joe, or anything else for that matter. So it's not inevitable at all. It's a great name - timeless and classic.

I really like it, it's a traditional and strong name, and I actually like Joe.

But yes, it inevitably will become Joe. Almost as guaranteed as is possible.

And yes, Noah and Joseph together, being such significant bible characters, does sound quite Christian. I don't know why that would bother you though.

Joseph is a nice name, but sadly you will have no control of correcting his name if children at school decide to call him Joe. Its the most obvious shortening and will more than likely happen at some stage in your sons school life.

Love it but it will be shortened to Joe

I like Joseph . I think he will become Joe though . Even if you don't call him that , friends will shorten it, and chances are when he's a teenager he'll want to go by Joe cos it's a bit 'cooler'

My Joseph decided in year 2 that he wanted to be Joe at school.
I love the name and don’t mind it shortened- I think it would be hard to avoid a short version so don’t choose it if that’s a problem for you.

We have a Joseph. Only know one other in his age range. He's the only one in his school (PAN 180). He goes by Joey or Joseph. He has recently said he likes Seth too. He is sometimes Joe but we like that too so no problem with that, however this is the most rarely used version of his name. Clearly we love it. Classic name.

It is a fabulous name, but if you can’t bear names that can be shortened then it is not for you. It is also pretty biblical in combination with Noah.

Joseph is great but I wouldn’t use it if you can’t stand Joe or Joey, since he may well decide to use a short form himself

I like it I think it's a cool, classic and down to earth name, not wannabe pretentious or ironic like popular names these days

I have a Joseph, aged 7. He's Joseph to me and to family generally. I have noticed that some of his classmates have started calling him Joe and he seems fine with that. I will stick to Joseph though. I think it's a good, strong name

Joseph has always been on my list for potential names, I love it! But yes, it's highly likely that his friends at school will shorten it. But that's fine, you don't have to! My brother is called a different NN by his friends than he is by family.

I have a 9yo Joseph, although he goes by Joe. He was Jojo for years, but seems to have outgrown it for the most part. Even the teachers at school called him Jojo. There are 3 other younger Joseph's in our small village school, though, if you are worried about popularity. Two go by Joseph and the other is Joe. I just think it's one of those solid names that you can't go wrong with. Fits in all areas of life whatever he may end up doing, sounds friendly and will never go out of fashion.

My little brother is a Joseph. He was always Joseph until he asked to be called Joe at about age 6, which my mum didn't mind as she liked the nn Joe.

It's such a classic, timeless name and suits all ages equally imo. Lovely name.