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Baby names

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

Can I call my baby Jessica?

112 replies

RedPepperOrangePepper · 11/06/2018 19:01

I’ve name changed as this is quite outing. My partner has a DD called Holly. I am pregnant with our DD who I did want to name Jessica. This has been my favourite name for years. Growing up all my dolls had the name Jessica and I was thrilled when I found out we were having a girl and I could use that name. But having heard OH say the names together I am starting to worry about what people will say! Are we going to have to pick a different name?

OP posts:
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ScarletBegonia1234 · 11/06/2018 19:32

I love Jessamy...(and wanted to use it but dh vetod it)

Sugarpiehoneyeye · 11/06/2018 19:37

Of course you can, they were both beautiful girls, and their names should live on forever. 🌸🌸

MarthaArthur · 11/06/2018 19:41

I saw a link with holly wells and jessica chapman straight away sorry. As a middle name yes but i personally wouldnt.

MarthaArthur · 11/06/2018 19:42

I love the name Jessa though but obviously its your choice and as someone said upthread they were beautiful girls its only negative because of what happened to them.

bellanotte22 · 11/06/2018 19:43

It's the first thing that I thought of. Personally I wouldn't just due to the tragic link, it's too sad.

Polly2345 · 11/06/2018 19:46

I had no idea what the connection was until I read people's responses. I'd go for it if I was you.

daisypond · 11/06/2018 19:47

I didn't make the link at all and I remember the case well. I still think it's OK.

Poppyfields21 · 11/06/2018 19:48

What is the age difference between the two of the OP? Realistically how often will you even say the names together? I also didn’t instantly think about it and agree that unless you live in the Soham area it’s not an issue.

happymummy12345 · 11/06/2018 19:55

I didn't remember about the connection until I read it further down the thread.
I'd use it. Even if you had to say both names if you were out somewhere i highly doubt anyone would be paying too much attention (people tend to just get on with their own thing I've found).
Jessica's my girls name, if ds had been a dd she would have been Jessica. (if we have a girl in the future of course).

(Trust someone to bring up the dislike of hyphenated names though. There's always one. It's a good job I'm not easily offended by how much people here dislike them. I love having a hyphenated name, much better than having a middle name that no one knows and that's never used).

RedPepperOrangePepper · 11/06/2018 19:56

Holly is seven. We have her every weekend and quite a bit of the holidays. I think I’m going to have to think again about names. Thanks for the input.

OP posts:
Brakebackcyclebot · 11/06/2018 19:59

When I 1st read our OP I didn't see the connection. But as soon as I said Holly & Jessica out loud, my next thought was "oh shit". Sorry.

YearOfYouRemember · 11/06/2018 19:59

We wanted to name our dd one of the names and then the children were killed. I did ask dh if we should pick a different name but he said no. We named her the name and no one has ever said anything.

You'll always get some people who will say stupid stuff. If you can deal with them then name your dd Jessica.

Cosmoa · 11/06/2018 20:03

I just depends how you feel about it really.

SpikyCoconut · 11/06/2018 20:04

I think you can. It seems you'll regret it if not. I don't think anyone will mention it so I wouldn't mention it yourself. If they do, you've always loved the name and it was horrific about the two beautiful girls but it shouldn't mean a lovely name cannot be used.

SemperIdem · 11/06/2018 20:11

I wouldn’t, not together. Immediately thought of those two poor little girls.

JeremyCorbynsBeard · 11/06/2018 20:12

How about naming her Jessica, but just calling her Jess/Jessie? That way it doesn't conjour up the same idea.

GinIsIn · 11/06/2018 20:15

I have to admit, I did make the connection, but I don’t think people will think badly of your choosing the name, or anything.

Chocolatecoffeeaddict · 11/06/2018 20:27

It came to me straight away. I personally wouldn't sorry.

TeaAndNoSympathy · 11/06/2018 20:32

No, I wouldn’t. I thought of Soham straight away.

Failingat40 · 11/06/2018 21:03

Yes call her Jessica.

The other girl is your partners anyway and not as if they are twins.

showerfire · 11/06/2018 21:08

if they were both yours I’d say no but the fact that you didn’t name Holly makes it fine imo

But they are both HIS Confused

The other girl is your partners anyway and not as if they are twins

But they will be sisters Confused

This is so bizarre. Does it only matter when it's the mother in common rather than the father Hmm

OP, I really wouldn't.

ZebraKid71 · 11/06/2018 21:10

I made the link straight away, but as pp said I probably wouldn't in real life. Personally I wouldn't do it, not because of other peoples opinions but for myself, I just find it a very sad association of the names.

However, I would note that they are both very normal, common names so if you really love the name it's not such a big deal.

I like the previous suggestion of Jessa.

GorgonLondon · 11/06/2018 21:11

I wouldn't. I made the connection immediately. I'm not from soham

IDontBowlOnShabbos · 11/06/2018 21:29

They are both beautiful classic names and I doubt many people would make the connection in real life, I didn't!

I would be happy to use it in your situation but if your partner or you are uncomfortable using the name then think about chosing a different one and using Jessica as a middle name if that's an acceptable compromise.

MeyYael · 11/06/2018 21:29

I didn't make the connection. But I'm not from the UK...

But it was one of the top results when googling it... Idk. What about using Jessica as a middle name and calling her Jess/Jessie (if you like these nns?)