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Baby names

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

Original poster

Which boys name?

45 replies

LoveYouHoneybear · 14/07/2026 17:59

Joseph
Stephen
Jonathan

thanks!

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LivingTheDreamish · 19/07/2026 02:33

I like Arthur and Edward better than Stephen and Jonathan, if that helps OP.

Still like Joseph!

timoteigirl · 16/07/2026 22:15

Of those two Joseph is currently popular which makes the two others feel dated. Another Nathaniel
I like Stefan

LoudPlumDog · 16/07/2026 15:14

Joseph

itsgettingweird · 16/07/2026 05:22

Joseph

BoleynMemories13 · 16/07/2026 05:19

I prefer Joseph. The shortening of Joe is great too

All 5 names you've mentioned are traditional, but Joseph has the most staying power across the generations.

Arthur and Edward are having their moment again, with loads around currently, and Jonathan and Stephen both feel a bit dated now, but you meet Josephs of all ages. There won't be loads around, unlike Arthur and Edward currently, but it wouldn't be unusual or unexpected to meet a baby Joseph.

durdledoris · 15/07/2026 23:10

Joseph

TeaBiscuitsNaptime · 15/07/2026 22:45

I like the name Alistair. I like all the names on your list too

mathanxiety · 15/07/2026 22:43

Joseph

CypressMoon · 15/07/2026 21:59

I like Jonathan and Joseph. Both good names with lots of optins for nicknames

Jon, Jonny, Jonty, Jonah, Nathan

Joe, Joey, Jos, Seph

NamingNoNames · 15/07/2026 21:49

Try each one with the surname.

Joseph Hart doesn't work.

PrincessHoneysuckle · 15/07/2026 19:53

Joseph. Can be shortened to Joe or Joey which I like

Excellentsausages · 15/07/2026 19:41

Jonathan is my favourite. Jonty is a good shortening.

I like Arthur too, it is extremely popular if that bothers you.

I don't like Joe or Steve so would have Joseph or Stephen as middle names. I like Stefan.

Edward is ok but much prefer Edmund.

Xmasallergies · 15/07/2026 16:58

joseph

Sparklinggreen · 15/07/2026 15:25

Forgot to add I like Edward over all the other names

Sparklinggreen · 15/07/2026 15:24

Jonathan from your list but careful your are ok with the various nn that can derive from Jonathan

Ipsevenenabibas · 15/07/2026 15:08

I like Edward too but prefer Joseph out of all the options.

NamingNoNames · 15/07/2026 15:03

They're all ok.
Arthur - very popular, wasn't in my age group - it was a dad name.
Edward - fine but do you like Ed/Teddy?
Jonathan - lots my age, most 'Jon', the odd Jonny/Johnny or Jonty. Sometimes gets misspelt as Johnathan or Jonathon (both dreadful). Like but don't like Nathan, Nathaniel or Nate.
Joseph - was a bit of a 'RC name' in my age group, as was Nathan.
Stephen - like but thousands of them (or Steven) in my age group, most were Steve and a few were Ste.

I'm saying 'my age group' in that the ones popular at the time seem slightly dated and a bit unexpected on a baby, but not dated in a bad way.

Original poster
LoveYouHoneybear · 15/07/2026 14:45

Oh wow! This thread hasn’t given me too much clarity, though I’m pleased most people like the names in general. I think we will have to wait to meet him (if the baby is a him, we don’t know the sex) to decide. To throw into the mix, I also like Arthur and Edward. Any opinions on those? Thanks!

OP posts:
Ipsevenenabibas · 15/07/2026 14:09

Joseph

NamingNoNames · 15/07/2026 14:08

One downside with Stephen is that the Steven spelling was very popular for years.

DragonmotherKhaleesi · 15/07/2026 12:32

Stephen.
There are lots of Joseph’s now days.

ImpossibleThursday · 15/07/2026 12:28

Jonathan - Jon, Jonny, Jonty, Jonno, Nate, Nathan: I like all these nicknames

user293948849167 · 15/07/2026 12:13

Joseph or Stephen
Jonathan is fine but don’t like Johnny which he might end up being!

Mumofgirls2017 · 15/07/2026 07:08

joseph 100%

Wherethedogsits · 15/07/2026 05:01

Joseph. Not keen on the other two.

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