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Baby names

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

Original poster

Registering birth at 2.30 today - help me decide what goes on the birth certificate!

83 replies

underthewestway · 03/08/2020 11:08

Registering son’s birth this afternoon. He is called after my dad, who was Joseph but always called Joe.

We will probably never refer to son as anything other than Joe so DP thinks we should register him as Joe but I’m not sure. Some sort of traditional part of me thinks we should go with Joseph and keep his options open (not sure what for!). But then again, I do prefer just Joe as his name.

What is the mumsnet verdict?

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Mmsnet101 · 03/08/2020 12:01

Going against the grain here and saying go with Joe. Why name him something he isn't?

Also employment will be very different at the time that he reaches that age, even now if I see a CV/business card with a longer old fashioned name that is usually shortened such as Joseph, Stephen etc then it's often their first part of the conversation that they say please call me Joe/Steve etc.

If he wants to change it later in life, it's easy enough to do so. I think all kids go through a stage of wanting a different name at some point, I did as mine was so common and gave no option for a nickname, my brother and best friend, because theirs is unusual and often gets shortened anyway. You can't win on that front!

SteelyPanther · 03/08/2020 11:52

Joseph.

Thneedville · 03/08/2020 11:51

Joseph

Lovely name.

You need a long version so he knows when he is in trouble Grin

Verybookish · 03/08/2020 11:46

Joseph!

Flymetothestars · 03/08/2020 11:45

Joseph or Joe are really lovely I think either option great
Let us know

SE13Mummy · 03/08/2020 11:45

If you're naming him after your dad, register him as Joseph as that's your dad's name. As others have said, it gives him the option to call himself Joe, Joey, Joss, Seph etc.

My DDs both have formal first names although we generally use short versions of them. DD1 is now 15 and some of her friends use her full name - she has recently said that although she doesn't really think of herself as her full name, she's glad that's what's on her birth certificate in case she ever decides to reinvent herself.

Lollypop4 · 03/08/2020 11:39

Joseph

DidgeDoolittle · 03/08/2020 11:37

I have a Joseph. He's always joe to us, but he's now a lawyer and uses Joseph professionally.

Prettybluepigeons · 03/08/2020 11:28

100% Joseph

Scotmummy1216 · 03/08/2020 11:26

Joseph a lovely name

Iwalkinmyclothing · 03/08/2020 11:25

Joseph, especially as 'named Joseph but always called Joe' was your dad's experience also.

Gorgeous name (I am biased, one of my sons has a European version of it, but even so...).

SirVixofVixHall · 03/08/2020 11:23

Joseph. I don’t like nicknames used as the given name. Better to give the full name and then use whatever pet name happens naturally.
Also Joseph is a lovely name.

Onekidnoclue · 03/08/2020 11:22

Joseph. X

LatteLover12 · 03/08/2020 11:20

Definitely Joseph for all the reasons above.

BikeRunSki · 03/08/2020 11:18

@RedRumTheHorse

Joseph

I have friends whose first names are shortened versions of names. As adults they feel that in some cases particularly employment it has been a disadvantage.

Actually, this is a good point. I know adults called Zoe and Amy who both day that they’d like longer names. They feel that would give them a bit more authority.
AuntieStella · 03/08/2020 11:18

Joseph

It's a lovely name

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 03/08/2020 11:18

Joe.

BikeRunSki · 03/08/2020 11:17

I always wanted a son called Sam
My first child was a boy an we registered him as Samuel
He’s nearly 12 now, and has been largely known as Sam by DH and I, his friends, teachers etc all his life. His granny calls him Sammy - and she is the only person he “allows” to. When he moved from First school to Middle School (Y5/Y6) he decided he wanted to be Samuel “as it’s more grown up”.

Using Joseph on your son’s BC will give him similar options, although you can always call him Joe.

RedRumTheHorse · 03/08/2020 11:16

Joseph

I have friends whose first names are shortened versions of names. As adults they feel that in some cases particularly employment it has been a disadvantage.

AdaColeman · 03/08/2020 11:14

Joseph on the birth certificate will give him more options when he's an adult, he might prefer Joseph to Joe.

PrimeraVez · 03/08/2020 11:13

Definitely Joseph so he has the choice. DH is always known as Andy to friends and family, but for some reason he chooses to be Andrew at work.

worstwitch18 · 03/08/2020 11:13

100% Joseph

foolishlyfoolish · 03/08/2020 11:12

Register him as Joe at school I meant!

foolishlyfoolish · 03/08/2020 11:11

Joesph, you can choose to register him at school etc if you wish.

MummaGiles · 03/08/2020 11:11

Joseph

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