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Baby names

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

Original poster

Jean or Joan

81 replies

tummytickler · 27/03/2009 20:51

So which do you prefer?
To match siblings Iris, Pearl, Amos and Eli.
I like one the best, and dh likes the other!

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cariboo · 28/03/2009 15:35

Jean is too masculine. Also the name of my ex-boss, who stabbed me in the back. Not that that has any bearing on your choice but still...

MrsSeanBean · 28/03/2009 15:35

Daphne Guinness' full name is Daphne Susannah Joan which I thougt a pretty combination, altough I'm not sure it's one I would necessarily use; just admire on other people

Dilettante · 28/03/2009 15:33

I love the name Joan. Joan of Arc, Joni Mitchell, what's not to like?

cariboo · 28/03/2009 15:23

I vote Joan. That's my middle name so am biased.

CrushWithEyeliner · 28/03/2009 15:22

Joan is nicest

What about Joni? Is that less old lady?

MrsSeanBean · 28/03/2009 15:20

Joan.

Horton · 28/03/2009 15:19

I like Joan better. I can see it being very popular in a decade or so. Also really love Audrey.

Alishanty · 28/03/2009 14:12

I know it's not what you asked but I prefer June to Joan or Jean.

plusonemore · 28/03/2009 07:32

how about

Joni (joan-y)

saintmaybe · 28/03/2009 07:19

love both, and very seiously considered Joan for dd, but dh wasn't keen. she's Hero, which does absolutely suit her btw.
my younger sister, who is super cool, has bagsied Jean for her future dd.

JodieO · 28/03/2009 02:54

Neither, old names.

KittyBigglesworth · 28/03/2009 02:54

My first instinct is that I much prefer Joanto Jean. I suppose it's always based upon the people you've known with those names. They are all in their 60s -80's. The Joans I've known have been more cultured than the Jeans, if that makes any difference.

NotanOtter · 28/03/2009 00:46

Jean for me but both FAB

Technofairy · 28/03/2009 00:39

Absolutely neither. Old lady names and not in a good way. Very dull and boring. Sorry! The other names are lovely, Joan and Jean aren't in my opinion.

You've got some biblical boys names there - I actually like Martha as a girls name and my all time favourite is one I found doing my family tree. One of my female ancestors in the very early 1800s was called Anstice. Unusual but I like it. She was from Somerset so I'm not sure if it was popular elsewhere.

And MrsSchadenfreude, I don't know any Joans like you describe. The only Joans I know are friends of my mothers and they are grey, dull little ladies without a hint of peroxide, make up or lipstick. Like her friends called Jean actually. Never picked up the smell of wee but I never get that close

GinaFjord · 27/03/2009 23:56

Ooooh, what about Gina

Plonker · 27/03/2009 23:42

I like Jean. Jeannie is v cute!

I don't like Joan at all.

janeite · 27/03/2009 23:34

Neither sorry. They both sound quite harsh imho.

tigerdriver · 27/03/2009 23:33

there's a poem we learned at school many years ago about naming the baby which has the line "Joan's too formal for a woman". Make of that what you will!

Califrau - do you have something against 47 y-o office workers? My name isn't Joan

Metella · 27/03/2009 23:33

No - what about Johanna or Jacquetta or something. I can't imagine a baby called Jean or Joan.

RustyBear · 27/03/2009 23:30

Mrs Schadenfreude - do you know my MIL?

MrsSchadenfreude · 27/03/2009 22:53

Jean = thin old lady with hair dyed old lady brown and with cat's bum mouth and a colostomy bag. Jean suffers from depression and calls it the menopause, despite the fact that she won't see 70 again. Lives on her own and has a faint whiff of wee about her person.

Joan = fat old lady with hair dyed brassily blonde, red lipstick and fat feet squashed into unsuitable shoes. Always first on the floor when the Birdie Song or Agadoo come on at the Over Sixties Club Christmas party. Best friends with Madge.

summermumtobe · 27/03/2009 22:09

I really like your other daughter's names but Jean and Joan just aren't as pretty I'm afraid.
I like Audrey as suggested by a pp

PfftTheMagicDragon · 27/03/2009 22:08

or Betsy, I like that too. Prefer Rowan though.

Servalan · 27/03/2009 22:07

Jean

(Though this is nfluenced by being a massive P J Harvey fan (Polly Jean)

PfftTheMagicDragon · 27/03/2009 22:05

Out of the two, Joan. Prefer Jane though, many think it dull but I think it's enough out of fashion to be good. Although I wouldn't use it with the names you already have.

Rowan?

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