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Baby names

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

Original poster

How do you feel about the name Jesse?

71 replies

DragonbornMum · 23/09/2024 09:11

7 weeks to go and trying to find a preference on our shortlist.

I accidentally have set my heart on Jesse. My husband likes it but is hesitant because it's also a girl's name.

He really likes Gabriel/Gabe. I liked Gabriel enough to put on the shortlist, but I've almost immediately gone off it. I loathe Gabe as a nickname.

Thoughts/opinions? Older brother is Eli.

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Button28384738 · 23/09/2024 19:28

I like it as Jessie for a girl but not keen as a boy's name sorry

Victoriangirl91 · 23/09/2024 19:22

I always like Jesse after Jesse Quin who's bass player in my favourite band Keane.

NewName24 · 23/09/2024 18:32

MerryMarys · 23/09/2024 14:52

Although some posters think it's effeminate,

Yes, I find it very soft and feminine sounding. Jess/Jesse/Jessie

I agree.

I also think 'You big Jesse' said in an insulting way - and I'm not Scottish and have no Scottish family.

That said, if you can't stand 'Gabe' then you can't call him Gabriel. It would be like calling your ds Benjamin but not liking 'Ben'.

mathanxiety · 23/09/2024 18:12

It's very Country Music.

MerryMarys · 23/09/2024 18:05

He'll get called the shortened version Jess which imo is very feminine sounding

RuthW · 23/09/2024 17:53

Too girly for a boy in my eyes

Pinkissmart · 23/09/2024 17:49

Jesse is a great name. Don’t think of that spelling as female at all

smallsilvercloud · 23/09/2024 17:49

heard of a few boys called this in the 80s inc a cousin of mine, I like it, I don't hear it so much now.

Moreteaandchocolate · 23/09/2024 17:46

MerryMarys · 23/09/2024 14:48

My initial response would be a girls nickname for Jessica

Yes this is my main association too, even though I know a male Jesse. I think I’m probably in the minority though 😊

SpikeGilesSandwich · 23/09/2024 16:07

My DS had a Jesse in his last class and no one thought it was weird or teased him, despite there being a female Jessie in the class below.
Kids just accepted it and adults got used to it very quickly.

MerryMarys · 23/09/2024 15:55

I have no problem seeing Jesse and Jessie as different names

It's hearing them that it becomes more difficult Grin

Sorenlorrenson · 23/09/2024 15:47

I love it for a boy.

okydokethen · 23/09/2024 15:43

Love Jesse!

TeflonMom · 23/09/2024 15:32

It’s lovely, has a cowboy vibe. I know a little Jesse, he’s a lovely little three year old

steppemum · 23/09/2024 15:27

I have no problem seeing Jesse and Jessie as different names, and there are plenty of names which are veyr close male/female, and we all manage perfectly well to understand them.

In church circles Jesse is a very popular and common boys name. I have a close friend whose son is Jesse and he has never had any teasing for his name.

If you like it go for it.

StrictlyAFemaleFemale · 23/09/2024 15:03

There was a lovely lad at Summer Camp called Jesse. So I always think of him.

AmeliaEarache · 23/09/2024 15:01

poppyzbrite4 · 23/09/2024 10:00

Many people are I'm afraid to say. Unfortunately that's the world he'll be brought up in, children can be very cruel.

Show quote history

I haven't heard anyone under 60 say "you great Jesse" so I think OP's baby will be just fine. It's a very old fashioned insult that's mostlhy died out.

Children are a lot more accepting of difference than they were 40 years ago, and a lot less tolerant of bullies. It was a much crueller environment when we grew up than it is now.

(Obviously today's children have different and terrible pressures, but name-bases teasong isn't one of them)

MerryMarys · 23/09/2024 14:52

Although some posters think it's effeminate,

Yes, I find it very soft and feminine sounding. Jess/Jesse/Jessie

Balticsea · 23/09/2024 14:51

I love Jesse! Great choice for a boy.

MerryMarys · 23/09/2024 14:48

My initial response would be a girls nickname for Jessica

Original poster
DragonbornMum · 23/09/2024 14:06

Thanks everyone, great to hear other people's opinions!

I have heard the expression "a big jessie", but in my mind it's a Scottish thing? In any case it's definitely not used in our area and I don't think it would be anyone's first thought if we landed on Jesse.

OP posts:
Mandarinaduck · 23/09/2024 13:10

I love the name Jesse and it’s clearly a boy name for me.

Bailem · 23/09/2024 13:04

I like it.
I know a Jessie (girl) and Jesse (boy) and they both really suit the name.

cheezncrackers · 23/09/2024 10:23

I also like Gabriel and know a couple of them. Both good names IMO.

cheezncrackers · 23/09/2024 10:23

I like it. Although some posters think it's effeminate, I think it's a rugged man's name. Jesse James was a wild west outlaw. How much more hardcore can you get than that?