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Baby names

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Original poster

Julius or Julian?

36 replies

SharpGoldWriter · 08/06/2026 16:49

Sort of a follow-up to my post yesterday…My husband always loved Julian and I preferred Julius. I’m due in a couple of weeks so revisiting our short list and now I like both, though they feel quite different to me. Do they paint very different images? Which is better? So hard to decide!

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SoftSpotForDandelions · 01/08/2026 21:30

Julian is on our list. I like that's it's not overused but equally isn't wild. I like Jules and Jude as nicknames but prefer having Julian as a full length option. Better to be able to switch out of a nickname than be stuck as the 3rd Jude in the class if you don't like it.

Julian also works internationally. It's a bit 'little England' to think of it just as a posh name. Small horizons and all that

timoteigirl · 01/08/2026 14:24

What did you choose in the end or a totally different third name?

dancehysterical22 · 30/07/2026 15:30

Neither

LimeslemonsPomegranates · 30/07/2026 03:31

I prefer Julius. It is rarer so it feels more timeless. Also I know a very intelligent and considerate Julius so I automatically think of him, then I think of Julius Caesar so it feels a little more noble than Julian. It has more of an intellectual classicist feel too. I would assume the parents of a Julius were intellectual and interested in ancient history or that it was an old family name. Julian is more conventional and broadly used and therefore does not have any strong associations for me. Also, the Julius I know doesn't shorten his name at all.

Superhumanfemale · 29/07/2026 20:22

I imagine you have had your beautiful baby boy. My son is a Julian, he’s 21 now and an amazing young man. His name is neither wet or dated it’s only in this country people would comment like that. Enjoy every minute, whatever name you decide upon will be right for you and your son.

TheSandgroper · 09/06/2026 13:32

I think Kathy Lette and Geoffrey Robertson have a Julius, iirc.

Jules might be good.

There is a Jude kicking around my way, he’s about 22 now.

There is a Jobe playing football in Brisbane.

Denim4ever · 08/06/2026 22:38

I knew brothers Julian and Claudius. Both tradespersons. Claudius had Roman column illustrations on his van

HollanderCottage · 08/06/2026 22:35

Neither. We have a Jude - still my favourite name

slowsausages · 08/06/2026 22:32

Julian is a lovely name. Not too popular but still well known. Nicknames Jules or Jude (like the song). Really lovely OP

Giraffehaver · 08/06/2026 22:18

Not my cup of tea at all. Pompous and a bit wet

jellyfish798 · 08/06/2026 21:55

Both disastrous tbh

Bunnyofhope · 08/06/2026 21:54

Julian is better.

trendysetter · 08/06/2026 21:54

All I hear is Julie so they both always sound really girly to me.

Xmasallergies · 08/06/2026 21:53

Julian - posh
Julius - maybe a ballet dancer, artist, musician

LilyLemonade · 08/06/2026 21:52

I really like both. I think I would go for Julius, it sounds more modern.

BotterMon · 08/06/2026 20:24

Compromise with Jules?

Carouselfish · 08/06/2026 20:18

I have totally different vibes for these. Julius is a big African American dude who also drinks Orange Julius.
Julian is Clary. Im 45 so younger people probably dont know him.

SilverPink · 08/06/2026 20:15

Moveoverdarlin · 08/06/2026 17:39

Both awful.

Julian - really dated. Reminds me of an 80s yuppie that carries a Filofax and would be mates with Adrian Mole.

Julius - was christened Jonathan in 1971, but changed his name in 1998 after his first Glastonbury and a night on LSD. Now lives in a wigwam.

😂😂

rogueone · 08/06/2026 18:05

Be prepared for them to be called Jools, both people I know who are named Julian and juliuis end up being called Jools

Instructions · 08/06/2026 18:04

Julius of the two; Julian makes me think of The Famous Five

VerityUnreasonble · 08/06/2026 18:04

Julian is better.
Julius is the Paul Frank monkey.

Berlinlover · 08/06/2026 18:01

Neither.

HugoThatway · 08/06/2026 17:59

I don't like either of them.

ThreeStripeFrankie · 08/06/2026 17:44

I like both but Julius has the edge for me.
I snogged a Julius at a rave when I was 15 he was gorgeous.

Moveoverdarlin · 08/06/2026 17:39

Both awful.

Julian - really dated. Reminds me of an 80s yuppie that carries a Filofax and would be mates with Adrian Mole.

Julius - was christened Jonathan in 1971, but changed his name in 1998 after his first Glastonbury and a night on LSD. Now lives in a wigwam.