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

Jesse or Jonah?

33 replies

PinkFing · 17/12/2021 12:27

Who are they? What do they look like and what is their personality?

Which one is best?
Humour me, I’m very bored and pregnant!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Edenember · 20/12/2021 16:13

Love Jesse, but Jonah is nice too.

user1493494961 · 18/12/2021 22:13

Jonah.

Kite22 · 18/12/2021 19:50

Another who knows an adult Jesse who really didn't like being called a 'big Jesse' throughout his life.

Jonah on the other hand, I do like. 'Known enough' but not used much. Easy to spell and to read if you see it written on a list. Nice name.

Original poster
PinkFing · 18/12/2021 19:12

@EishetChayil Grin
@Flutterflybutterby thank you so
Much. That’s made a lot of sense for me and what beautiful descriptions

OP posts:
EishetChayil · 18/12/2021 10:30

Jesse and Jonah sound like two old women at a Florida nursing home.

scandikate · 18/12/2021 03:36

Jonah is really beautiful. It has a cool and artistic vibe - I imagine a quiet, bit of a dreamer but popular and kind.
Jesse is also nice - I imagine a cheekier, funny boy.

Flutterflybutterby · 17/12/2021 22:54

I adore both! Both strong, biblical names. Jesse maybe a slightky better namesake than Jonah, but I love and would use both names. Someone on MN always makes the 'big Jessie' comment but in all my life I've never heard anyone say this. I can't imagine the 'woke' kids of today saying anything like this.

As for Jonah meaning 'bringer of bad luck' - maybe sailors in like 1750 might have said this - it's specifically related to sailors - but unless you're planning to sail back in time, I think it's not going to be an issue Grin

WeasilyPleased · 17/12/2021 22:22

The Jesse I worked with was impossibility good looking in a blond scruffy surfer way but boy did his feet stink!
Not met a Jonah but I instantly think Jonah the moaner. Sorry OP.

MissCruellaDeVil · 17/12/2021 20:46

My friend has two boys Jesse and Jonah, both are beautiful, kind and caring young men.

RuthW · 17/12/2021 20:16

Jonah. Really dislike Jesse even more for a boy than I do a girl.

Original poster
PinkFing · 17/12/2021 20:11

I think that those negative associations are fading out (I hope!)

OP posts:
TrashyPanda · 17/12/2021 19:57

Jonah - bringer of bad luck, gloomy

Jesse - it’s an insult “big Jessie”

SamMil · 17/12/2021 19:57

Jonah gives me religious vibes.

Jesse surfer vibes.

etulosoba · 17/12/2021 19:54

I can only assume that people who name their kids Jonah have no idea of the association with bad luck.

I wouldn’t want one on a ship.

TenThousandSpoons · 17/12/2021 19:51

Jonah is cool with wavy long-ish hair. Nickname Joe.

Jesse is blond, might be into drugs (Breaking Bad) or a cowboy. Nickname Jess is not so good.

I like both though. Or what about Jonas or Jago?

sunshineandshowers40 · 17/12/2021 19:47

I actually love both names. I have a son with one of the names and did consider the other name but DH wasn't keen.

Original poster
PinkFing · 17/12/2021 19:44

I see them as so similar. What does Jonah say to you as aposed to Jesse?

OP posts:
Omicrone · 17/12/2021 19:42

The Jesse I know is just an awesome little boy, so definitely Jesse for me!

Yika · 17/12/2021 19:40

Jesse is a very cool name.

Jonah not so much. What about Johan?

WaitinginVain · 17/12/2021 19:25

I know a little Jonah but really dislike the name.

Jesse's a really cool sounding name and I do like it.

I don't think they're similar at all.

UndeadSlut · 17/12/2021 19:17

I know a little Jonah and it suits him down to the ground, he's quiet and shy with a bit of a cheeky streak, longish brown hair and brown eyes, a real little charmer.

Jesse I'm not as keen on, I just think of the one from Glee who was a pretty terrible person.

Original poster
PinkFing · 17/12/2021 19:12

I agree they sounds similar and kind of surfer ish.

Jonah is more musical and introverted and Jesse is more of a joker and a hit with the ladies Grin

OP posts:
MadeOfStarStuff · 17/12/2021 19:05

I prefer Jonah

Luredbyapomegranate · 17/12/2021 16:01

They have a very similar feel as names!
I like them both, go for whatever goes best w your surname

Purpleavocado · 17/12/2021 15:13

Didn't Jonah get eaten by the whale? And Jesse does sound a bit Jessicaish