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Baby names

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

Original poster

Boy's names - Judah and Isaiah

107 replies

Balonzette · 24/09/2021 11:01

I know several American children with these names but no British! I love them both. (Before anyone says they're very religious - I know. I like that bit Grin)

What do you think? Are they usable in the UK or too uncommon?

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GobbledyGeek · 24/09/2021 17:10

One Isaiah than the other ... I remember that from my primary school days

speakout · 24/09/2021 17:09

Balonzette

You "as a family" may not be planning to move away from religion- your children may have other ideas. Great that it is a huge part of your identity, but you can't make such assumptions for your children when they are an age to decide for themselves.

celestebellman · 24/09/2021 17:06

I was thinking earlier about the number of people in my workplace with biblical names - Rachel, Rebecca, Hannah, Sarah, Adam, Ben. All good, strong names. I don’t think you can go wrong with a biblical name, whether religious or not. They are just names that have stood the test of time. I’m not religious, despite my kids having OT names, don’t think most parents nowadays of Noah’s and Reubens are either!

Original poster
Balonzette · 24/09/2021 17:02

@BOOMshakeshakeshaketheroom

You might be religious, but your kids might not be. Most people are moving away from organised religion, the youth ever more so. I think it's harsh fk lumber a kid with such a blatantly religious name
We are a religious family, it's a huge part of our identity and not something we are ashamed of or planning to move away from, so not a concern of mine either. Thank you for commenting though! Interesting to hear different views!
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Pemba · 24/09/2021 17:01

Very Old Testament!

I think they are good strong names, quite unusual in the UK too. Judah could be Jude for short.

I think I might prefer Isaac to Isaiah, but maybe that's just because I'm more used to it?

celestebellman · 24/09/2021 17:01

Also know a Nehemiah, which is the most out-there one I have encountered.

celestebellman · 24/09/2021 17:00

I love Isaiah, but was not allowed to use it! Two of my kids have slightly ‘safer’ Old Testament names. I also liked Asher and Ezra. I think you’d have to be braver to use Judah because of the Judas similarity even though it’s a different names.
Thinking of the sons of Jacob, I also liked Naphtali and Issachar…

SleepingStandingUp · 24/09/2021 16:59

@BOOMshakeshakeshaketheroom

You might be religious, but your kids might not be. Most people are moving away from organised religion, the youth ever more so. I think it's harsh fk lumber a kid with such a blatantly religious name
I reckon there's plenty of Noahs, Joseph etc that manage fine
Original poster
Balonzette · 24/09/2021 16:59

"Unless you start introducing him to everyone as “this is Judah - not Judas who betrayed Jesus - JudAH"

I loved this! The idea of it really made me laugh! Imagine the birth announcement. "I'd like to introduce you all to little Judah (not Judas who betrayed Jesus, JudAH. Google it xx)

Dear ___
You are invited to Judah (not Judas, who betrayed Jesus. JudAH)'s birthday party...

Dear Grandma
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Love A, B, C, D, and Judah (not Judas, who betrayed Jesus, but JudAH)

I think the idea of it has amused me enough to actually push Judah into the top spot!

Maybe future Judah wouldn't be so amused though!

OP posts:
Caszekey · 24/09/2021 16:57

@Balonzette

Ezekiel is cool, isn't it? Nn Zeke?

Although sounds awful with my surname 😢

I have one
BOOMshakeshakeshaketheroom · 24/09/2021 16:56

To not fk

BOOMshakeshakeshaketheroom · 24/09/2021 16:56

You might be religious, but your kids might not be. Most people are moving away from organised religion, the youth ever more so. I think it's harsh fk lumber a kid with such a blatantly religious name

SleepingStandingUp · 24/09/2021 16:55

Also adore Malachi, Tobias and Lucius / Lucien

Original poster
Balonzette · 24/09/2021 16:54

@mamaduckbone

I'm not so keen on Judah but like Isaiah, and Elijah (don't think it's too popular) I also like Ezekiel nn Zeke. We have an Old Testament and New Testament name for our 2 boys, and we're not especially religious.
Which NT did you choose, if you don't mind me asking? From the NT I like Silas and Barnaby (I know it's not strictly NT but comes from Barnabus so it counts, right?)

I met a little Titus the other day, which suited him, but I think you have to be pretty cool to pull off Titus, and as I'm not especially cool, I'm a little concerned my kid won't be cool enough to be a Titus Grin

I also like Luke. I am trying to make myself like Peter but it's not going THAT well.

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DressedUpAtAnIvy · 24/09/2021 16:51

Makes me think of Ben Hur, like pp, but I doubt the generation of a child born today will watch that film.

Mumoftwoinprimary · 24/09/2021 16:51

@Balonzette

Haha no, that was Judas. I don't mind correcting people who make that mistake. If this thread is anything to go by, the vast majority of people know that the one who betrayed Jesus was Judas. Of the 28 posters, only 2 have made that mistake, so I like my chances Grin

As a Christian with a biblical name, from a family of Christians, many of whom have biblical names, and with many friends who have biblical names, and who also have children with biblical names, I don't think bullying a child due to having a biblical name is a 'thing', thankfully, but thank you for your concern nonetheless!

One thing to note is that people on mumsnet generally say what people in real life only think.

So 1 in every 14 people will think “why on earth did they name their kid after the man who betrayed Jesus” but they won’t ask you. So you can’t correct them. (Unless you start introducing him to everyone as “this is Judah - not Judas who betrayed Jesus - JudAH”)

Famousfrays · 24/09/2021 16:49

I love them both

Original poster
Balonzette · 24/09/2021 16:49

Ezekiel is cool, isn't it? Nn Zeke?

Although sounds awful with my surname 😢

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mamaduckbone · 24/09/2021 16:48

I'm not so keen on Judah but like Isaiah, and Elijah (don't think it's too popular) I also like Ezekiel nn Zeke. We have an Old Testament and New Testament name for our 2 boys, and we're not especially religious.

Original poster
Balonzette · 24/09/2021 16:47

@SoloISland

The most Biblical name of all is Mary.

If you call out MARY here in Ireland so many ladies turn round Carmel too.

I like Mary for a girl!
OP posts:
SleepingStandingUp · 24/09/2021 16:47

Isaiah is lovely, not keen on Judah. It's too close in sound to Judas.
Ezekiel, Ezriel also great

Original poster
Balonzette · 24/09/2021 16:46

@AnotherFruitcake

But the brothers who sold Joseph into slavery also included Rueben, Simeon, Benjamin, Levi, Dan, Asher.
Yes, exactly! And I already have used one of these names, so it's not a huge concern of mine Grin I love the Old Testament AND the OT names.

I have never seen a poster mention the selling of Joseph negatively when Reuben, Benjamin, or Asher are mentioned on here, as they often are. This thread is really interesting when it comes to perceptions of names based on their popularity. (That wasn't sarcastic! I feel the need to state that as I feel that everything I say sounds sarcastic online!)

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SoloISland · 24/09/2021 16:45

The most Biblical name of all is Mary.

If you call out MARY here in Ireland so many ladies turn round Carmel too.

KirstenBlest · 24/09/2021 16:44

Reuben, even

AnotherFruitcake · 24/09/2021 16:41

But the brothers who sold Joseph into slavery also included Rueben, Simeon, Benjamin, Levi, Dan, Asher.