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Original poster

Barnaby or Joshua?

38 replies

InTheLostAndFound · 28/03/2015 20:20

Ok so our gorgeous boy has arrived and is still nameless, the only two names myself and my partner can agree on are Barnaby or Joshua.
I love Barnaby but am not too keen on Barney and is Joshua just too popular these days? Any thoughts ideas would be most welcome as the newborn sleepless nights are making it harder to decide!

OP posts:
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Box5883284322679964228 · 28/03/2015 20:39

Barnaby is stunning! Both names make me think of two different types of boys.

BlueBananas · 28/03/2015 20:42

Joshua definitely, don't like Barnaby atall

CarrieK86 · 28/03/2015 20:50

Joshua defiantly! Lovely name. Barnaby soynds like a posh twat.

Laquila · 28/03/2015 20:52

Barnaby is a lovely name, but hard to avoid the nn of Barney (which personally I like).

Joshua/Josh is lovely too, but very popular - much more so than Barnaby.

DealForTheKids · 28/03/2015 20:54

If it helps I do know a Barnaby who is just a Barnaby - never been Barney.

RhubarbAndMustard · 28/03/2015 20:55

When I think of Joshua, I just think 'Oh my josh', when I think of Barnaby I think Midsommer Murders. Not much help. Sorry!

6LittleOnes · 28/03/2015 20:58

Joshua is very popular, but I don't really like Barnaby. Sorry

Grannycrabapple · 28/03/2015 21:00

Barnaby is lovely. Joshua is very very popular

Bobian123 · 28/03/2015 21:00

I have a Barnaby (who I don't think will end up a "posh twat" Wink). We don't shorten it yet-I thought he'd be a Barney but i also am not mad keen on the nn. Sure that will change when he goes to school but I reckon we'll keep using Barnaby as I love it. FWIW, Joshua is also fab and I haven't met any in my toddler groups! Congratulations!!

AmandaTanen · 28/03/2015 21:01

Out of the 2, I would vote for Joshua, but I have to say it like Rachel in friends, Josh ooooo a!

Original poster
InTheLostAndFound · 28/03/2015 21:27

DealForTheKids if only I could choose to not have Barnaby shortened! I know it's a bit of a marmite name but I'm leaning towards it as ds just looks a bit more Barnaby than Joshua, if that's possible when he's so young ??

OP posts:
sofatastic · 28/03/2015 21:31

Branagh is generally the name of the class bear Confused

sofatastic · 28/03/2015 21:32

Bloody autocorrect, obviously meant Barnaby

Bobian123 · 28/03/2015 21:37

OP-if it helps, as well as mainly calling our DS Barnaby we also do just use "B" as in the first letter/last syllable. Kind of an all or (almost) nothing approach!! It's sweet and suits his little personality.

Clarabumps · 28/03/2015 21:46

Barnaby!!!!

LicoriceComfit · 28/03/2015 21:56

Barnaby is very nice.

Hellobump15 · 28/03/2015 22:40

Barnaby is one of our final 2 if this bump turns out to be a boy, so that gets my vote.

I really am not sure that nicknames are an absolute given nowadays or at least not as much as they were in my school days in the 80s, when if it could be shortened it would be!

We have a son (4) with a 4 syllable name & he goes by that even at school. Our elder son has friends including Thomas, William, Daniel, Matthew, Edward etc and none of them are shortened or will be I imagine anytime soon.

So I don't think I'd worry that Barnaby will automatically end up a Barney

Penguinotterfoxbadger · 28/03/2015 22:52

Joshua

OnlyTheDepthVaries · 29/03/2015 08:12

I've got a Barnaby - always called Barney. I love it - great name to grow up with. He is now 17 and not a posh twat!!!

flipflump · 29/03/2015 08:28

Love Barnaby. Joshua is too popular and a bit plain for me.

5secondstilltakeoff · 29/03/2015 08:50

Another vote for Barnaby.

StrawberryMojito · 29/03/2015 08:56

I love both. Joshua is more popular but I don't know any under 5.
I went to school with a Barnaby who was never a Barney and when I was in hospital after having dd, the baby in the bed opposite was a Barnaby and the parents were planning to use Barney. I think it can be largely decided by the parents as to whether to use the nn.

FishCanFly · 29/03/2015 13:40

Barnaby. Joshua is nice, but quite boring

stormyboots · 29/03/2015 14:42

Barnaby is a great name, very distinctive and lovely for a little toddler but equally great for the man he will become.

I don't like Joshua at all, sorry.

Do you have any other dc, maybe try out both names next to their name/s because in future you'll probably be calling names out together a lot.

Congratulations!

Bobian123 · 29/03/2015 17:17

OP, let us know what you decide Grin