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Baby names

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

Original poster

Joanna

19 replies

Thurlow · 16/07/2015 20:42

I'm bored tonight Grin so just mulling over some names. Mentioned this recently to a few friends as one I've been considering, but got some mixed feedback - a lot based on the fact that the Queen Bee at secondary school always seemed to be a 'Jo', so they didn't like the name.

Is it a good name, or a bit '80s?

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EmmaWoodlouse · 16/07/2015 20:46

I think Joanne is more 80s, and Joanna is fairly timeless.

TheWoollybacksWife · 16/07/2015 20:56

I think it's lovely but I'm biased Wink

My DD does get called Joanne occasionally usually by my mum which is a nice enough name but is not her name. She is called Jo by her friends but is definitely not a queen bee. Grin

Sophronia · 16/07/2015 21:26

I love the name Joanna, and I agree it's more timeless than Joanne, which feels a bit dated. Johanna is nice too.

Asleeponasunbeam · 16/07/2015 21:34

I love it.
Also love
Louisa but not Louise
Julia but not Julia
Diana but not Diane

manicinsomniac · 16/07/2015 23:05

I love Joanna (agree re Joanne being the dated one)

I know a gorgeous two year old Joanna but all the others I know are adults. It should be used more!

Bue · 16/07/2015 23:11

I also love Joanna! Has a very different vibe from Joanne.

Cloggal · 17/07/2015 00:08

Love Joanna and Johanna, not Joanne though weirdly

Quasilulu · 17/07/2015 02:08

Love it and Susannah not Suzanne.

CakeRattleandRoll · 17/07/2015 03:25

Lovely name.

ch1134 · 17/07/2015 06:41

As well as being dated, I don't think it sounds very pretty. It's the 'wa' sound in the middle.

Whipnaenae · 17/07/2015 06:49

I hate Joanne, (always seemed to be pronounced j-WANNE in the 80s) but I love Joanna, I know a little Joanna nn Joji. So so cute.

PunkrockerGirl · 17/07/2015 07:08

I think Joanna is a lovely name.

Original poster
Thurlow · 17/07/2015 11:03

Agree that the 'a' ending on most of those names seems to make them a little more classic. And I like these sort of names - familiar but not used too much at the moment.

Would they inevitably become 'Jo' though?

OP posts:
reuset · 17/07/2015 11:04

Possibly Jo, or Anna, but lovely name. Refreshing.

Belleview · 17/07/2015 11:08

Love the name Joanna!

WhyCantIuseTheNameIWant · 17/07/2015 13:44

Joanna is a gorgeous name.
If I am lucky enough to get dd2, it will be her middle name.
It's a Hebrew name, I think it means "praise to god", but I can't remember the exact meaning.

MehsMum · 17/07/2015 13:56

Lovely name.
Agree with pp re j-WANNE.

Daisywellies · 17/07/2015 14:55

I would see it as a 70s name to be honest.

SometimesItRains · 17/07/2015 15:03

Yes they will become Jo. You have to like all the shortenings of a name as you don't get to pick what their friends call them.

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