We've finally agreed on names! And they are.....

[LuckyOwl28]

Joey Anthony

and

Bethany Megan

We've been trying to avoid too common or too modern, what do you all think? x

Bethany is a very pretty, Biblical place name that works well as a feminine given name. As another poster mentioned, Bethany Megan does sound very Welsh - most likely due to Bethan (without the Y) and Megan being common Welsh names. I don't think that's a bad thing at all (quite the contrary!) but it's worth noting.

I agree with the other posters who have noted that Joey does not sound like a suitable name for a grown man. To me, it is a nickname for Joseph, Joel, Jonah, etc. It is far too cutesy for a bloke. It also rhymes with feminine names like Zoe and Chloe, and reminds me of Joey from Dawson's Creek (Katie Holmes' character) as well as Joey from Friends (buffoon, if you ask me).

While I am pleased that you love the name, I do strongly advise, like many of the other posters, that you name him something more versatile; Joe would do. I can imagine a baby Joe, a teenage Joe, an adult Joe, and an elderly Joe but Joey just seems like a child's name to me.

Like it or not, people will judge him based on his name - consciously or otherwise. Like Alfie, Evie, and all of the other names of that ilk, I also think Joey and cutesy names in general will date poorly; I already see them as dated circa early 2000s.

Anthony is a lovely middle name and I think would also work well as a first name.

Bethany Megan is lovely :)

Yes, if he's not a cutesy adult, he's not going to thank you for calling him Joey when he's trying to get laid. I know we don't like to think of our DSs as eventual men trying to get laid, but they will be.

I urge you to use Joseph or Joe on the BC and use Joey as a nickname.

I say this as someone whose DS has a cutesy nickname that he has been universally known as since Day 1, and whose BC name almost doesn't feel like his name, so underused it is. But at least he has options in later life...

And who wants a cutesy adult? Of either gender?

Poor OP!

I think it's great you've found names you love. It's so hard to find THE name when it feels like a massive responsibility, isn't it?

Having said that, I will chuck my hat in the ring for Joe on the bc. Joey really feels too nicknamey to be the formal name to me.

Joey - great nickname, daft actual name. PLease remember you're naming a person, not a baby.

Great for a child not as he gets older though.

I doubt Bill Gates would use Bill on his CV. It would be William. Bill Gates isn't the best example though as he probably doesn't need a CV at this point of his life. I bet he used his full formal name when he was applying to Harvard though.

I was trying to make the point that a CV as incredible as Bill Gates could be discarded if a company is going to be put off simply by how a first name is spelt (from what you were saying). It was meant to be a lighthearted example, nobody needs to get carried away and start researching his application forms

As I have now said on several occasions, we are not looking for an alternative to Joey, but thanks for your suggestions anyway. Some are quite comical.

One thing I am slightly put out by is the suggestion that they are 'really can't be arsed' names. I have been with my partner for 6 years and we have thrown names back and forth when discussing babies for this period of time. We have bought baby names books and I have made list upon list, narrowing down, starting again...etc etc. I never thought we'd agree as I've always loved traditional names, whereas he likes what I call American, or tacky ones.

I was so chuffed that we'd finally reached a decision that I felt compelled to make this post. I'm surprised a name like Joey could spark such a debate, but on the positive side it's confirmed to me that I love the names so much that not even some of the negative comments have put me off.

I've worked with children for 4 years and trust me, there are far more obscure and zany names than Joey! Although initially your reaction to a 'different' name is 'Oh' , you quickly become used to the name and couldn't imagine it being called anything else. As already mentioned, Joe is the back up, or more 'adult' name he will have to choose from if he wishes, although I'm sure by that stage in his life he and everyone around him will be accustomed to his real name

I am genuinely surprised by some of the archaic views on here regarding CVs still. I think we'll just have to agree to disagree on that one, I just hope that when our child is applying for work the establishment is credible enough to be open-minded to his name. Who knows, it may even help him stand out against piles of 'Davids' and 'Williams'

Thankyou to everyone who has responded positively (whether you like the names or not). We are so excited!

I love Bethany Megan. I would have named one of my daughters Bethany if I could have convinced my husband, and Megan was our second choice for our younger daughter.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with your name choices and I'm glad you're not letting negative comments sway you.

Enjoy Bethany or Joey when he/she arrives.

well, I'll put one last appeal in for at least it being "Joe" on the birth certificate.

however, definately Bethany, it's lovely.

Bethany Megan is fine. Not exciting, but you said that didn't bother you. I find it a bit 90s - I know loads of teenagers with those names. In fact, one set of siblings.

Joey Anthony. Well, I am in the 'put Joe or Joseph' on the birth certificate camp too. Though I know you will ignore me, which of course you have every right to do. Personally I am not a fan of cutesy nicknames - Billy, Alfie, Albie, Eddie, etc. Not every adult wants their name to be cutesy. But I take your point that he could shorten Joey to Joe. So my other issue is I do think Joey Anthony sounds odd together. The 'ee' sounds together don't flow to my ear.

Congratulations on your pregnancy. Hope everything goes well with the birth.

Bethany is lovely.

I'm probably showing my age here but Joey is just a term of abuse used by eighties school children. Sorry.

Bethany Megan is lovely. Congratulations on your pregnancy.

I did laugh at the poster harping on about Poppy not doing well as its a cutesy name.

I shall pass that on to SIL who is incredibly successful and a very high earner despite only being 29.

She shits all over my admin job, even with my sensible name.

What a load of total bollocks.

Op, ignore the ignorant ones

I have a 'traditional' full name on my birth certificate. No-one has ever called me by it. I'm known by the shortened version by everyone - always have been. It's seems completely pointless to have this full version on my BC. The two names don't even sound alike!
As for Joey, well I have a 10 year old one - he's lovely, happy, bright and popular. If he chooses to drop the y when he get older, that's his choice. But we love his name and he seems pretty happy with it too. (Although sometimes he says he would like to be known as Maxwell!)

I don't like the name Poppy but she sounds like she has a bit more spirit than a Lily. Just the impression the names give. I wouldn't seriously expect to be tell if a Lily was sappy and weak or a Poppy was feisty and bold before I'd met them.

I like both names. Don't love them but they're perfectly good, servicable names. If I was going to choose myself it would Joseph Anthony and Megan Bethany but it's your choice and you're happy. Go for it.

The CV and judge comments on 'cutesy' names are ridiculous. There may well be truth in them now (probably is in fact) but in 10-20 years time there won't be.
There were 7319 Lily/Lilly/Lillie/Lili s born in 2011 as well as 3030 Poppy/Poppies, 2112 Lexi/Lexies, 5524 Alfies, 2805 Archies ... oh, and 165 Joeys

I suspect that a good proprotion of those 20955 children will get good jobs. The names will be seen as completely and totally normal.

My DD is a Bethany. She was called Bethany up to going to secondary school when she and her friends shortened it to Beth. Both have suited her.

She is Beth to everyone in her private and working life (and she has a good job). Glad I chose it.

Anthony is an OK name although I'm not very keen on it myself. Joey is absolutely awful. Bethany is nice but personally I am not so keen on Megan. But there's nothing wrong with it.

Joe Anthony is far better than Joey. The two eee sounds don't work.

I have a Joseph and wouldn't mind people calling him Joe but have made it very clear that I would not be happy at all if anyone calls him Joey. I don't like any of the "Alfie" Archie" etc type names, but Joey is one of the worst, sorry! It's a baby kangaroo, or a prat from "Friends". It's really not a good name or a grown man.

Call him Joe. Then if he ends up as a Joey, then fine, but really do think it's one of those names that he might not thank you for when he's older when he has to tell people what his "formal" name is. It's a name for a baby / child, but no further.

Sorry!

My sister is Bethan and I am Megan so I deff approve

'I am genuinely surprised by some of the archaic views on here regarding CVs still. I think we'll just have to agree to disagree on that one, I just hope that when our child is applying for work the establishment is credible enough to be open-minded to his name. Who knows, it may even help him stand out against piles of 'Davids' and 'Williams' '

It's a big chance to take. What if things don't change much?

Of course if you are sure your potential DS will have as incredibly impressive a CV as Bill Gates would then by all means take the chance, but again, are you sure your DS will have that impressive list of credentials?

Many companies are looking for a good fit, someone who would mix well, someone who would go down well with clients, someone who would 'work well with others' and match the culture. It's not all down to grades in school or other tangible elements of the CV that can be measured objectively against the CVs of others. If it came to a dead heat between one set of As and another, and similar experience, my money would be on Joseph to get the interview. He could tell the interview that he was known as Joe or Joey if asked what he normally went by. But an abbreviation as formal name would indicate too unknown a quantity to most HR departments. Employees at salary level are investments and finding them takes time and effort; people are careful about who they invest in.

I'd go back to the drawing board if I were you. Particularly with Joey. Not wise. Hope you appreciate some honest feedback.