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Baby names

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

Original poster

Down to two names, but are either 'the one'?!

30 replies

Fivebyfive2 · 21/10/2019 21:52

Hi all! I posted a while ago about a short list of names for our first baby - we're due to have a boy in Jan 🙂

We've got the list down to 2 names:

Joseph /Joe - this was my choice. I've always liked the name and we both like that it's sort of traditional but can be shortened/adapted to a few different nick names if preferred.

Zack - this is my dh's choice, we like that it's nice and short, different without being too 'out there'.

So, we are now trying to decide between the 2 names... But we've also both said that, although we really like both names, I prefer one and he prefers another; so would we be better off trying to find a name that we both like equally?? Is this realistic?

Has anyone else been torn between some names but then had a totally different one jump out at them and it's like 'that's the one'? Maybe when he's actually here, we will just know?

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PrincessHoneysuckle · 23/10/2019 17:14

I just think of Zack dingle sorry.Joseph is lovely.

userabcname · 23/10/2019 17:04

I prefer Zack. There are so many Josephs/Joes I find it boring now. Also, I have an Isaac that we shorten to Zac so I am biased!

midsomermurderess · 23/10/2019 16:58

Joseph. I find Zak a bit naff.

Proseccoinamug · 23/10/2019 08:55

I’d choose Joseph. Joseph Zachary?

daisypond · 22/10/2019 18:56

I like both but Zach seems a bit dated to me. Very 90s. I’d go for Joseph definitely.

MeMeMeYou · 22/10/2019 18:52

When baby arrived my husband just was so in awe he said I could make the final choice! So maybe that’ll happen for you!

I love Joe / Joesph. I’ve taught a few (teacher) and they’ve all been lovely boys. I nearl,y chose it but there were a few cousins with it so I didn’t.

MikeUniformMike · 22/10/2019 18:49

I like Zac but not Zack and Zach.
Zachary is very popular.
I'd choose Joe/Joseph.

Lavenderblues · 22/10/2019 15:28

Does a baby really 'look' like a Joseph, Stephen or Zachary?Wink. All babies look pretty similar imo

Difficultcustomer · 22/10/2019 13:34

Either are nice so I like the idea of waiting and seeing whether he “fits” one or the other.

FizzyGreenWater · 22/10/2019 13:30

Zach seems a bit tired these days. Joseph is a classic and Joe is such a good nn, go for that.

user1493494961 · 22/10/2019 10:42

Zachary Joseph (no 'K'). Don't understand why you would go for the full name with Joe but not Zack/Zach.

Lavenderblues · 22/10/2019 10:28

Zac Zack Zak Zach etc sound like sounds from an action comic! I dislike it.

Joseph is much nicer.

GU24Mum · 22/10/2019 09:19

We couldn't decide on DS's name as we liked very different things. We looked at finding one we both felt the same about but ended up being something like each of our 15th choice so in the end you either need to agree that one if you gets your choice this time or toss a coin! That assumes of course that you can both live with the other choice if necessary.

I think it took til DS was 4 for my OH to stop reminding he didn't really like the name!!

Becxs · 22/10/2019 09:11

I have a Zach and a Joel, and I love these names

Jossina · 22/10/2019 05:04

Zack/Zach/Zac as a nickname is great, so is Joseph. Be ready for Joey though if you go with Joseph.

EileenAlanna · 22/10/2019 01:56

Both names are really lovely but I'm not a fan of shortened names being registered on the birth certificate. It seems a bit of a fad that'll probably not really date well - everyone who was called Joe, Jack, Ben etc were always known to be "officially" Joseph, John, Benjamin/Benedict on their bc & once they've become adults kids may well be glad to have something more to fall back on than what sounded cute when they were babies. How about Zachariah instead of Zachary if you go for that one? Slightly more unusual & still one that could be shortened to Zach. Congratulations & good luck with the pregnancy Flowers

Shadow1234 · 22/10/2019 01:37

Zachary

MissHenty · 21/10/2019 23:35

It sounds like you’ve put a lot of thought into this and for me, I’m certain the ‘perfect’ name doesn’t exist if you’re slightly indecisive (like me!)

It’s great you’ve got two lovely names there

I prefer Joseph. It’s grown on me so much recently and I now adore it

MrsNoMopp · 21/10/2019 23:20

Joseph Zachary is nice.

I know of an Isaac who is Zac for short.

Original poster
Fivebyfive2 · 21/10/2019 22:31

Thanks all! We have talked about using one as a first name and the other as a middle. I have also suggested Zach instead of Zack, dh doesn't mind as he says they sound the same. I think we'll just see how we feel when he's here 😀

OP posts:
Mumdiva99 · 21/10/2019 22:28

If you had Joseph Zack he could be known as JZ.

joystir59 · 21/10/2019 22:17

Joseph Zachary or Zachary Joseph are both great

Loaf90 · 21/10/2019 22:15

Sorry, *Zack

Loaf90 · 21/10/2019 22:14

Zak is so chavvy. Go for Joseph

PushkinTheCat · 21/10/2019 22:14

Joseph is my favourite! But Joseph Zachary would be nice - or Zachary Joseph, to be known as Zack.

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