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Baby names

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

Original poster

What do you think of these two girls names?

63 replies

myredcardigan · 20/05/2008 23:20

Josephine or Jocelyn?
I really like Josie so was thinking Josephine as I'd always go for a full version IYKWIM. DH likes Josie too but is keener on Jocelyn which I also quite like. So no conflict really but opinions gratefully received. Do either of them sound awful or have bad connotations or seem tacky or anything? Just need to check there's no evil character in literature or anything.

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Alishanty · 21/05/2008 14:56

I prefer Josephine. My mum's name is Josepha (pronounced Jo-seffa)which is quite unusual. Jo or Josie for short.

eenybeeny · 21/05/2008 14:53

My niece is called Josey. It suits her so well. But of the two you mentioned I MUCH prefer Josephine!!!!!!!!

ManhattanMama · 21/05/2008 14:48

I would go with Josie, second choice Josephine. I knew a male Jocelyn so that puts me off it for a girl.

Josie is really pretty though!

lollipopmother · 21/05/2008 14:44

Josephine is a lovely name, don't like Jocelyn at all, firstly it's a pain to spell, second it doesn't 'look' nice when written (not particularly important I know!!) but mostly because it conjours up horrible imagies of butch transvestites for me, I have absolutely no idea why though, I don't know any transvestites and I don't know any Jocelyn's either.

pagwatch · 21/05/2008 11:57

i like Josephine

AbbeyA · 21/05/2008 11:45

Having said that Jocelyn was a boy's name I wouldn't use it for a boy. I think it is one of those names that was originally for a boy but is now a girl's name-like Hilary.
I think I was thinking of Jolyon from the Forsyte Saga. I much prefer Josephine to Josephina.

Original poster
myredcardigan · 21/05/2008 11:36

Thanks everyone for the opinions, all helpful. I had no idea that so many people would assume that Jocelyn was a boy.

DA, Josephina is very pretty but sounds European to me. As we're English I feel it would be somehow pretentious to choose a more exotic version IYKWIM.

OP posts:
belgo · 21/05/2008 08:02

Josephine is a lovely name. Not so keen on Jocelyn, it's a bit dated and too much like jostling.

brimfull · 21/05/2008 08:01

I like them both

AbbeyA · 21/05/2008 07:57

I would expect Jocelyn to be a boy. I think Josephine is lovely. You can avoid Jo by calling her Josie from the start. I know a girl called Josie and she never gets the full name because she is introduced as Josie, started school as Josie etc. I also know an adult Josephine who is always known as Josie because that is how she introduces herself.

ninedragons · 21/05/2008 05:54

I love Jocelyn and would have used it for our DD if it didn't rhyme with our surname. It's my mum's name and the one thing I would warn you is that if your DD has the slightest, er, how shall I put it? "talent for leadership", she will get Bossy Jocie.

DisplacementActivity · 21/05/2008 01:04

Message withdrawn

Pan · 21/05/2008 01:01

open to be teased with Jocelyn for position.....not nice......

Califrau · 21/05/2008 00:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

nooka · 21/05/2008 00:51

Prefer Josephine. I would expect Jocelyn to be a boy.

hatwoman · 21/05/2008 00:33

Jocelyn is stronger and more womanly and classless (in a good way). But I have to say I think Josie is ok in its own right. I wouldn't name a child Jo but Josie is fine. all lovely anyway.

Original poster
myredcardigan · 21/05/2008 00:24

I think we will go with Josie whatever rather than Joss or Jo. Just not sure whether to go for Josephine or Jocelyn as her full name. Do they both pass the PM test I wonder!?!

OP posts:
Chamomile · 21/05/2008 00:17

I think Jocelyn sounds unfriendly. Josie is nice. I like Josette too and Joey.

lilolilmanchester · 20/05/2008 23:59

Josie gets my vote too. It's a really pretty(but strong) name anyway, and it reminds me of a a really lovely girl at school.

Original poster
myredcardigan · 20/05/2008 23:46

Butterfly if I can change 15 to 25 then Jocelyn sounds good!

Why do so many people think of ponies when they hear Josephine? She will not be having a pony!

OP posts:
ButterflyMcQueen · 20/05/2008 23:40

josephine is sweet and wears plaits - a good girl she does like ponies and baking

Jocelyn is a wee bit naughty but bloody bright she likes to run wild and free. her hair is rats tails but when she hits 15 the boys queue up for her!

edam · 20/05/2008 23:38

there was a horrible Josephine in one of the Enid Blyton school stories, btw - put me off the name for life!

colander · 20/05/2008 23:37

Jocelyn

edam · 20/05/2008 23:36

I'm going to buck the trend and say I'd prefer Jocelyn to Josephine. Strikes me as one of those feminine versions of male names which are just trying too hard. Like Nigella (and I know Nigella is a plant, but still...)

controlfreakyagain · 20/05/2008 23:35

yeah, jocelyn reminds me of hilary and evelyn... iykwim

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