Joannie or Joni?

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I'm not even pregnant yet (well, I might be, Ive just had IVF and I'm in the dreaded 2-week wait) but I've always wanted to call any daughter I had after my grandmother, Joan, as she was the loveliest soul that ever walked the earth.

Is Joannie old-fashioned though? Would Joni be better?

She said she does like Joni Mitchell but just isn't a super fan.

Oh yes sorry my bad! Phew

I think Joan is nicer than both - simpler and not so cutesy. I never think going for "cute" is a good idea. Joanie (one N) is better than Joannie, which looks wrong. I like Joni, though, but I do think Joni Mitchell.

That's right, I like Joni Mitchell but not enough to name a child after her. If I were going the music tribute route, I'd pick Ziggy - massive David Bowie fan!

DH just raises an eyebrow when I talk to him about things like this; to him it's a bit pointless until we're actually expecting a baby. I get that - I do feel foolish for fantasising, but it helps me be more positive which is something I struggle with.

I'll be sure to update you all if I ever get to use the name . . . which will be Joanie!

Now, for a boy I was thinking . . . just kidding :-)

Joanie! Gorgeous. I think there's a chance people unfamiliar with the singer might read Joni as Johnny... But maybe that's just round these parts.

Good luck!

I really hope you get your BFP very soon.
I see what you mean about Joni as you wouldn't want to think she is named after Joni Mitchell when she's actually named after your grandma.
And seriously, if you do have a boy would you want to honour your grandma (eg using her surname or male version of her middle name or something) or would you just save Joan(ie) in case you had a girl one day?

I don’t like either of them. I’d go for Joan as a middle name instead. Good luck x

I really like the name Joan, nn Joanie. I suspect that Joni would get said as Johnny quite often, so I would use Joanie.

Joni. In homage to Ms Mitchell.

Joanie sounds a bit twee.

Joanie - I read Joni as Johnnie for some reason.

I prefer Joanie

Joan is a lovely name. I would put that on the birth certificate and then call her Joanie as a pet name.

Joanie with one 'n' is great. She can be called Joan later on in life if she wants but 'Joanie' is nice for a young child growing up. (although her school friends might just call her Jo).

Joanie sounds a bit drunk Glaswegian.

Joni - It's awesome

I think the name Joan is very elegant. Would definitely spell it Joanie - I think Joni (as in Mitchell, although I love her music) is a bit of an affectation.

Would definitely go with Joan as official name and Joanie as nn.

I'd pronounce Joni as Jon-ie

And Joanie ad Joan-ie

So I'd choose the latter if you want that pronunciation.

I prefer Joanie.

Really like Joannie good choice

I know a Joni and she's lovely. Think I slightly prefer Joanie as the spelling but it's a great name either way.

Really hoping there's a stonking great BFP at the end of the TWW for you OP.

It's funny how names come in and out of fashion - 10 years ago I would have thought Joan was really old-ladyish, but now I think it's elegant and classic. Maybe the Joan out of Mad Men changed things for me! I don't really like Joanie for an adult woman, it's a bit cutesy, but then she could always choose to go by Joan in later life.

Sorry to derail but does anyone think that the name Maureen will ever have its moment in the sun again?

I read Joannie as jo-annie, I think because it’s so close to Joanne

I like the Joanie spelling.

Joni is too similar to Yoni

Jonas if you have a boy
Hope you get your BFP soon 🤞

Ooooo Jonas is nice, @TenThousandSpoons . . . not sure if it works with my surname, though, as it begins with 'S'.

@GraceMarks I've wondered that about a lot of names, Maureen included! Names like Myrtle, Doreen, Barbara . . .