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Baby names

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

Original poster

Joshua, James or Harry

57 replies

Sew3stitch · 20/09/2019 19:57

This is our boy shortlist. Would love views in which You would go for (with a short one syllable surname if that makes any difference!)

Thanks!

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SunshineAngel · 20/09/2019 22:25

I'd actually go for Joshua James (as in first name, middle name) in the hopes he'd get called JJ.

I have no idea if that's cool for kids or not these days!!

17caterpillars1mouse · 20/09/2019 22:27

Joshua!

I find Harry dull

James is nice but I prefer Joshua it just has such a lovely sound

Shufflebumnessie · 20/09/2019 22:33

James

Kanga83 · 20/09/2019 22:36

James. Harry and Henry has been done to death. Joshua is nice, but he'll forever be Josh at school

Shadow1234 · 20/09/2019 22:39

Joshua!

So many James and Harry's around.

KronksSpinachPuffs · 20/09/2019 22:44

I'd pick James or harry, I'm not keen on joshua/josh

Busymummy16 · 20/09/2019 22:50

Joshua best for a short surname I think, but I love James (have one too!).. I love Joshua James W...
good luck OP!

Courtney555 · 20/09/2019 23:16

Joshua. Until you said your surname begins with W.

One syllable. Begins with W. I'll pick "Ward" as an example.

Josh-yoo-WAH Ward.

Nope. It's Wah, followed by another Wah (Wi/Wuh/Weh depending on actual surname)

So I'd go James.

DramaAlpaca · 20/09/2019 23:49

James

EnriqueTheRingBearingLizard · 20/09/2019 23:52

James by a mile.

I dislike Joshua and Josh.

crustycrab · 20/09/2019 23:53

James. Definitely

Original poster
Sew3stitch · 21/09/2019 07:03

Really interesting views thanks everyone. I always debated whether a one syllable first name was too short with a short surname too but going by the majority saying James maybe that isn’t a problem.

I like Josh so wouldn’t mind that name being shortened and have always had a soft spot for the name Harry. While popularity itself doesn’t worry me too much I do know Harry has been crazy popular for a while now so it does put me off a bit.

We don’t know what we’re having and I like Kate for a girl but had the same concerns about short names together but maybe I’m over thinking...

OP posts:
thenewaveragebear1983 · 21/09/2019 07:48

I like James, not too keen on Joshua or Harry. I have all 3 names in my family.
I reckon surname is Webb! I have a single syllable surname and it does/can make things sound clunky if it's the wrong combination of sounds.

daisypond · 21/09/2019 07:57

James is the only classic name. The others have a very different vibe. I would never consider Joshua or Harry at all. The only option is James, leaving aside the length of the surname.

Original poster
Sew3stitch · 21/09/2019 07:59

@daisypond with Joshua being biblical I would also put it in the category of classic. Shows how we all have different perceptions of names!

OP posts:
AlliKaneErikson · 21/09/2019 09:24

Love all of them- I have a Harri James!

Fivebeanchilli · 21/09/2019 09:50

Harry.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 21/09/2019 10:03

Love Joshua/Josh

Astronica · 21/09/2019 10:25

I like both Harry and James. I think James works fine with most one syllable names.

Fifthtimelucky · 21/09/2019 14:10

I don't consider Joshua a classic name either. For me, it is one of those many biblical names that have been popular during the last 20 or so years, but will, I imagine, fall out of fashion at some point. Noah, Reuben and Isaac are similar (though I imagined they all have been more consistently common in Jewish families).

James is classic because it has been consistently popular over a long period of time. A James could be any age. A Joshua is likely to be under 25.

James is my favourite of the three, but I'd probably go for a longer name to go with a one syllable surname.

Kate could be Katherine or Catherine.

Grandmi · 21/09/2019 23:32

My son is a Josh and he loves his name. Interestingly he doesn’t actually know another Josh and is 23 ...he was baptised Joshua but is always known as Josh .Good luck with your choice...it’s so difficult but most people love their names whatever you choose .X

MikeUniformMike · 22/09/2019 13:55

Sew3stitch, HTH Grin

carly2803 · 22/09/2019 20:01

joshua - james
harry - james
i like those!!

123Dancewithme · 23/09/2019 23:31

Definitely James!

AmyP1984 · 24/09/2019 11:40

I like James and Jimmy once he gets older.