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Baby names

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

Original poster

Is Jude too popular now?

38 replies

Ab2206 · 31/01/2024 18:02

Hey ladies!

We’re expecting our first baby in the summer, and we’re keeping the sex as a surprise so need to think of both boy and girl names.

I think we have our girls name (Nancy), but our boy option is either Jude or Wilbur. I’m interested to know whether Jude is getting too popular now, as I keep hearing it more and more?

Also, opinions on Wilbur? Nickname Wilbs…. And I know the whole link to Charlottes Web, and that doesn’t bother me in the slightest 😆.

Interested to hear your thoughts!

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arlequin · 05/02/2024 20:29

Really don't like Wilbur.

I know 2 baby Judes and one 3yo.

Nice name though!

Jason118 · 05/02/2024 12:33

Think it's pretty obscure.Blush

Original poster
Ab2206 · 05/02/2024 12:25

We adore Wilfred, but unfortunately we already have one in our family (who’s also a lovely little boy).

OP posts:
Goddessonahighway · 03/02/2024 23:05

What about Wilf? I only know one - in the Biff and Chip books. Never met one in real life

serin · 03/02/2024 22:49

Nah nah nah nah 😉

HelloViroids · 02/02/2024 14:28

Hey OP
Don’t make it bad
take a popular name - and make it better!
the minute you let Jude into your heart
then you can start to
make it better better better better….

lavenderjump · 02/02/2024 14:22

I loved Jude and was set on using it if we have a boy next. I've come across loads recently and it seems to be the 'in' name at the moment for boys so I've taken it off my list as worried how popular it will get.

Also you may not be bothered but a fair few Z-listers have used Jude recently (Scarlett Moffat, Charlotte Dawson, Tiffany Watson and Montana Brown) all very close together, so most likely there will be an even bigger surge.

KirstenBlest · 02/02/2024 13:19

@vincettenoir , the data for baby names is out of date so it could be in the top 20 this year. The name is very popular on here.
It's also likely to appeal to other parents, and he could be one of several in his circle.

If OP loves it, she should use it.

vincettenoir · 02/02/2024 10:57

Yes, it's popular. But I don't think that a kid called Jude will constantly be bumping into other Judes all their life. If that is what you are concerned about, I think it'll be fine.

Original poster
Ab2206 · 01/02/2024 17:19

Thanks ladies! Another thing I’ve learnt here is that you’re always going to get some haters no matter what name you choose 😂.

The more I think of Wilbur, the more I think it sounds cute when they’re young but when they’re all grown up it may sound a bit soft. So think Jude wins, unless another name springs to mind in the meantime!

OP posts:
CurlewKate · 01/02/2024 15:42

Too popular for what?

pontipinemum · 01/02/2024 15:40

Wilbur makes me think of the husband in Hairspray 'ohh Wilbur'

I personally don't know any Judes but I am in Ireland so wrong location.

Nancy is lovely

sunflowerpinks · 01/02/2024 15:24

I quite like Wilbur.

But I definitely wouldn't call him Wilbs Confused

WaltzingWaters · 01/02/2024 15:22

I love the name Jude. My son is almost 2 and we haven’t met any in all the various groups we’ve gone to. I only know one Jude who is in his 20’s.
I’m personally not a fan of Wilbur, so my vote definitely goes to Jude!

sunflowerpinks · 01/02/2024 15:19

I do hear of a lot of them, so I think it might be the new Theo

My thoughts too. It may surge in popularity only to start to sound dated and overused thereafter

KirstenBlest · 01/02/2024 14:53

Names like George, Oliver and James won't appeal to parents looking for fresh, young names

Friends and colleagues who named their babies Theo or Noah picked names that seemed quite different, only to find the names had become popular almost overnight.

Original poster
Ab2206 · 01/02/2024 14:41

Thank you everyone! It’s actually helped me think differently about being worried about a “popular name”. I guess George is a popular name, but it doesn’t put people off using it- so I need to see Jude the same way 😊.

Glad you all love Nancy!

Thanks again fellow mama’s!

OP posts:
VivaVivaa · 01/02/2024 13:02

Jude is lovely. It was high up our list for DC2.

It is common though. I have a 3 yo and a 6 month old and have met quite a few in both age brackets. (South Coast).

I wouldn’t let that stop you though.

Twinkletwinklelil · 01/02/2024 12:59

Love the name Jude.
wilbur on the other hand.. not sure about it

DesertSnow · 01/02/2024 12:58

I wouldn't let popularity deter you from a name you love. You could pick an 'unpopular' name only for it to rise dramatically in popularity. Pick the name you love.

Gloryloroliesjo · 01/02/2024 12:57

I only know one Jude and he is 21 .

KirstenBlest · 01/02/2024 12:55

Nancy is lovely.
Wilbur makes me think of a pig.
Not keen on Jude. It doesn't seem to be popular where I am but I think it's the new Arlo - parents pick it because it seems a bit different and find that their Arlo is one of 3 or 5 in their reception class.

alwayscrashinginthesamecar1 · 01/02/2024 00:09

I have a Jude in his 20s. It was pretty unusual when we named him, and I haven't noticed too many others. I used to have a cat called Wilbur, Jude is a better name for a human. 😀

theduchessofspork · 01/02/2024 00:06

I do hear of a lot of them, so I think it might be the new Theo

That said, Wilbur will probably end up as another Will.

Any others?

I really like Nancy

Joel
Jerome
Jonah
Jethro

Desss · 31/01/2024 22:34

I’d say it depends whether you care if it’s popular.

In saying that it is very popular now. I run a business that involves personalising newborn baby items and I have noticed a huge jump in the number of Jude’s even in the last 6 months. It depends what part of the country you are from but I think particularly in England it is now VERY popular. Nice name though! Wilbur is very cute

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