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Baby names

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

Original poster

Jesse for a boy?

40 replies

LuckyOwl28 · 19/06/2014 12:06

I think we're more or less decided on Leo Thomas for a boy, but I have a little soft spot for Jesse.

Would just be interested to hear what your instant reaction would be to Jesse as a boys name (pronounced Jessie)?

I think I've always loved the name since seeing Free Willy 20 years ago! Having just got into Breaking Bad and hearing the name again has reminded me how much I love it!

I know Jessie is a popular girls name though, so wouldn't want to set our boy up for name calling.

Would probably be Jesse Thomas.

Thoughts?

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ThinkIveBeenHacked · 19/06/2014 12:08

Leo and Jesse are both on my shortlist, and Thomas would be on it if it werent DHs name, so I think you have marvellous taste!

I only know one Jesse and he totally suits the name (in a good way).

ButterflyOfFreedom · 19/06/2014 12:11

I see Jesse as a bit too feminine for a boy so would never use it personally.
I guess it doesn't help that I know several female Jess / Jessie / Jessica's and no male Jesse's so my instant reaction on hearing the name would be 'it's a girl'.
Sorry.

I love Leo though!!

Original poster
LuckyOwl28 · 19/06/2014 12:13

Wow really!

When I first chose Leo I thought it was a fairly unusual name but have just seen it's currently no.20 for boys names in 2014 which has put me off slightly. I suppose as long as no one else we know has a Leo before us shouldn't matter really!

When are you due? I'm 28th Nov and will be a brother or sister to Bethany (now 14 months).

OP posts:
NigellasDealer · 19/06/2014 12:14

I know a Jesse and it really suits him. Not feminine at all.

DogCalledRudis · 19/06/2014 12:17

No way! Its a girly name

WaffleWiffle · 19/06/2014 12:17

I really like |Jesse but would not be brave enough to name my DS Jesse because of too many memories of Billy Connolly "Yer great big Jesse!"

flipflopsonfifthavenue · 19/06/2014 12:28

I know a Jesse, he's Canadian where I think its more 'normally' a boys name.

My instant reaction is I hear the old perv Herbert calling his dog Jesse from The Family Guy...

KatieKaye · 19/06/2014 12:32

In Scotland a Jessie = a wimp. So not a name you'd give a boy unless you wanted him to have the piss taken out of him. Probably different elsewhere,

florascotia · 19/06/2014 12:39

OP depends where you live, really. Biblical names are fashionable at the moment, so in trendy areas, or places like London where there is a wonderful mix of names, I don't think anyone will worry at all.

In Scotland, 'a big Jessie' does still mean 'a boy or man who is weak or cowardly'. (Because Jessie - short for Janet or Jane - was such a popular female name at one time.) But even here, baby-naming patterns are changing fast. The older generation might mentally raise an eyebrow, but I don't think younger people would worry too much. Even so, there were only 5 boys named Jesse in the whole of Scotland in 2013.

SantasLittleMonkeyButler · 19/06/2014 12:41

I do really like Jesse (Jesse Pavelka anyone? Hmmm) but I can also hear my grandfather saying "oo, he's a right old jessy, him" meaning - I suppose - a feminine acting man.

It is probable that no-one much uses that expression any more, but I think the fact it springs to mind would be enough to put me off using the name.

squoosh · 19/06/2014 13:15

I think of Jesse James. I bet no one called him a 'big jessie'.

AuntieStella · 19/06/2014 13:18

It depends where you live.

There are no negative connotations in eg USA. But in much of Britain the association will be "you big Jessie".

ThinkIveBeenHacked · 19/06/2014 13:21

Im 25th Oct. We also have Travis on our list so will probably choose something from the three once he arrives.

I have a dd (Meg) who is beyond excited! Grin

noitsachicken · 19/06/2014 13:27

I love Jesse!

Youdontneedacriminallawyer · 19/06/2014 13:32

OK as long as your surname isn't Pinkman.

treaclesoda · 19/06/2014 13:48

I love Jesse. Unfortunately where I am the older generation would indeed refer to an effeminate man as being a 'jessy' but it's not something I've heard any time recently so hopefully it will die out. Ironic really, since biblical names are so often associated with bring strong and masculine.

Passthebiscuitsvicor · 19/06/2014 15:21

It's cute! Really like it x

SideOfFoot · 19/06/2014 18:35

I really like Jesse but there are too many connotations with calling someone a big Jessie and in fact that's what I think when I hear the name. I'm in Scotland so may be different elsewhere.

Bowlersarm · 19/06/2014 18:39

It sounds very feminine to me. Jessica is a popular girls name and it follows that a lot of them will be called Jessie.

itsbetterthanabox · 19/06/2014 18:42

I love Jesse for a boy! I want to call a son that. I know people will hate it but I do not care.

funnyoldonion · 19/06/2014 19:26

Use Jesse, it's so much cooler and original, I know of one Jesse Jake and they call him JJ, I love it personally x

RAFWife12 · 19/06/2014 19:43

I like it, it could be perceived as feminine, but it is a legitimate boys name! More popular in America I think

overthebliddyhill · 19/06/2014 19:44

Love it. My Dad was Jesse.....pronounced Jess.

Nereida · 20/06/2014 00:25

I really like it and think it would be fine for a boy.

Marcipex · 20/06/2014 08:04

I know one who is horribly teased.