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Baby names

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Original poster

Thoughts on Jonah?

35 replies

starrynightss · 31/12/2021 22:35

Thinking about naming our baby boy Jonah. What do you think of it?

To be honest, it's not a name I originally would've thought of, but the reason we considered it is because it's DH's middle name. There's a sweet story behind how he told me what his middle name was way back when we were half dating/seeing each other which is why I've grown to like it.

Also my grandfathers name is John and he is terminally ill, we don't have much time left with him unfortunately. Jonah has "Jon" in it so I kind of like that it would be a subtly way of honouring him.

It keeps sticking with me whenever we try to cut it down, but maybe would it be better as a middle name?

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ParadiseLaundry · 05/01/2022 17:53

Gorgeous name!

housecoat1968 · 05/01/2022 17:45

We wanted to call our son Jonah but my nan said that it meant bad luck.

My friend (not knowing this) called her son Jonah - I love it. He is generally called'Jo' by his friends.

TrashyPanda · 05/01/2022 17:43

Bad luck.

Couldn’t use it.

And it just sounds so gloomy.

Tal45 · 05/01/2022 17:42

I like it, much better than Jonas IMO. And John sounds really dated to me.

HunterGatherer · 05/01/2022 17:40

like it.

Doomscrolling · 05/01/2022 17:36

Jonah is a lovely name. 19th century sailors might believe in Jonah unlucky but no one thinks that way now, surely.

In the third Anne Shirley book, Anne Of The Island, there's a charming young man called Jonah, incidentally.

IAcceptCookies · 05/01/2022 17:27

I like it! Very nice name.

ladycarlotta · 04/01/2022 22:29

lovely name.

Thedogscollar · 04/01/2022 17:46

@starrynightss
It's a lovely name.

It has a gentle sound as John on its own sounds a bit harsh and too grown up for a baby.

I'd go for it especially with your family connections.

KirstenBlest · 04/01/2022 16:16

Not keen on it. John is much nicer

zingally · 04/01/2022 15:25

I really like it. It's a nice, recognisable, easy to spell name. Without being TOO common.

I've been a primary school teacher for 14 years, and can only think of 1 Jonah, and he must be 12 or 13 now.

Skeumorph · 02/01/2022 21:41

Oh no - bad luck. So known for it that I couldn’t get past it!

Jonas instead for me

Luredbyapomegranate · 01/01/2022 18:13

I really like it.

Why are you nervy about using it? It’s not an especially unusual name.

RuthW · 01/01/2022 10:04

Not to my taste but a perfectly reasonable name. Go for it.

DukkaTheHallsWithBoughsOfHolly · 01/01/2022 08:49

I like it, there’s one at my DC’s school.

Ginandplatonic · 01/01/2022 05:34

I like it and think it works as a subtle tribute to John

Flutterflybutterby · 01/01/2022 05:29

Love it! Love the bible story and meaning too Smile

Snorkmaidenn · 01/01/2022 01:49

I like it

WeasilyPleased · 01/01/2022 01:46

I really like it apart from the unlucky thing. That was one Jonah though. Yours may be very lucky indeed!

NannyR · 31/12/2021 23:38

It's a great name, I really like it. I don't think it really honours the name John, Jon has three of the letters of John but it's not pronounced the same. What about Jonathan?

Riverlee · 31/12/2021 23:30

Really lovely

(Lots of names can have negative connotations, William = Willy, Cameron name means ‘bent nose’, Nancy = Nancy boy = slang for gay person etc)

Cindie943811A · 31/12/2021 23:05

I’d prefer Jonas to avoid the negative associations of the name.
Still has Jon in it and very like Jonah ( in fact I think it’s just another form of the same name.

idiotmagnet · 31/12/2021 22:58

Love it

Nanasueathome · 31/12/2021 22:53

I have a 10year old grandson , Jonah
Absolutely gorgeous name…and child

Lindy2 · 31/12/2021 22:52

I like it but it's known as a bad luck name - particularly if you've got any nautical connections. That would put me off a bit.

Jonas would be an alternative without the bad luck issue.