Boy's names - Judah and Isaiah

[Balonzette]

I know several American children with these names but no British! I love them both. (Before anyone says they're very religious - I know. I like that bit )

What do you think? Are they usable in the UK or too uncommon?

@KirstenBlest ohh ok sorry my bad, but I’d be worried 90% of population will make the same mistake!

@Elisemum

I would think you are religious freak :) nothing wrong with that but kids won’t be as forgiving … Judah is a really bad name for a baby, wasn’t Judah a horrible person that sold Jesus?:) that boy will 100% get bullied, bad bad name sorry OP

I guess it depends where you live and what kind of school your DC goes to. Round here, no-one would bat an eyelid at Judah or Isaiah.

Note keen on either of OPs choices but Jude mentioned by a PP is lovely! And one I hadn't considered before. Seems like a 'happy' kind of a name

Both are fine, just slightly less mainstream Biblical names. The Ezekiel I know (known as Zeke) is the son of gay atheists, and my own son has an unusual Biblical name, though DH and I aren’t believers.

@KirstenBlest

That was Judas, *@Elisemum*.

Judah was one of Jacob's sons. Quite a big difference.

Yes, one of Jacob's sons, who sold his brother Joseph into slavery.

Strange how Onan hasn't become popular

Haha no, that was Judas. I don't mind correcting people who make that mistake. If this thread is anything to go by, the vast majority of people know that the one who betrayed Jesus was Judas. Of the 28 posters, only 2 have made that mistake, so I like my chances

As a Christian with a biblical name, from a family of Christians, many of whom have biblical names, and with many friends who have biblical names, and who also have children with biblical names, I don't think bullying a child due to having a biblical name is a 'thing', thankfully, but thank you for your concern nonetheless!

But the brothers who sold Joseph into slavery also included Rueben, Simeon, Benjamin, Levi, Dan, Asher.

Reuben, even

The most Biblical name of all is Mary.

If you call out MARY here in Ireland so many ladies turn round Carmel too.

@AnotherFruitcake

But the brothers who sold Joseph into slavery also included Rueben, Simeon, Benjamin, Levi, Dan, Asher.

Yes, exactly! And I already have used one of these names, so it's not a huge concern of mine I love the Old Testament AND the OT names.

I have never seen a poster mention the selling of Joseph negatively when Reuben, Benjamin, or Asher are mentioned on here, as they often are. This thread is really interesting when it comes to perceptions of names based on their popularity. (That wasn't sarcastic! I feel the need to state that as I feel that everything I say sounds sarcastic online!)

Isaiah is lovely, not keen on Judah. It's too close in sound to Judas.
Ezekiel, Ezriel also great

@SoloISland

The most Biblical name of all is Mary.

If you call out MARY here in Ireland so many ladies turn round Carmel too.

I like Mary for a girl!

I'm not so keen on Judah but like Isaiah, and Elijah (don't think it's too popular) I also like Ezekiel nn Zeke. We have an Old Testament and New Testament name for our 2 boys, and we're not especially religious.

Ezekiel is cool, isn't it? Nn Zeke?

Although sounds awful with my surname 😢

I love them both

@Balonzette

Haha no, that was Judas. I don't mind correcting people who make that mistake. If this thread is anything to go by, the vast majority of people know that the one who betrayed Jesus was Judas. Of the 28 posters, only 2 have made that mistake, so I like my chances

As a Christian with a biblical name, from a family of Christians, many of whom have biblical names, and with many friends who have biblical names, and who also have children with biblical names, I don't think bullying a child due to having a biblical name is a 'thing', thankfully, but thank you for your concern nonetheless!

One thing to note is that people on mumsnet generally say what people in real life only think.

So 1 in every 14 people will think “why on earth did they name their kid after the man who betrayed Jesus” but they won’t ask you. So you can’t correct them. (Unless you start introducing him to everyone as “this is Judah - not Judas who betrayed Jesus - JudAH”)

Makes me think of Ben Hur, like pp, but I doubt the generation of a child born today will watch that film.

@mamaduckbone

I'm not so keen on Judah but like Isaiah, and Elijah (don't think it's too popular) I also like Ezekiel nn Zeke. We have an Old Testament and New Testament name for our 2 boys, and we're not especially religious.

Which NT did you choose, if you don't mind me asking? From the NT I like Silas and Barnaby (I know it's not strictly NT but comes from Barnabus so it counts, right?)

I met a little Titus the other day, which suited him, but I think you have to be pretty cool to pull off Titus, and as I'm not especially cool, I'm a little concerned my kid won't be cool enough to be a Titus

I also like Luke. I am trying to make myself like Peter but it's not going THAT well.

Also adore Malachi, Tobias and Lucius / Lucien

You might be religious, but your kids might not be. Most people are moving away from organised religion, the youth ever more so. I think it's harsh fk lumber a kid with such a blatantly religious name

To not fk

@Balonzette

Ezekiel is cool, isn't it? Nn Zeke?

Although sounds awful with my surname 😢

I have one

"Unless you start introducing him to everyone as “this is Judah - not Judas who betrayed Jesus - JudAH"

I loved this! The idea of it really made me laugh! Imagine the birth announcement. "I'd like to introduce you all to little Judah (not Judas who betrayed Jesus, JudAH. Google it xx)

Dear ___
You are invited to Judah (not Judas, who betrayed Jesus. JudAH)'s birthday party...

Dear Grandma
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Love A, B, C, D, and Judah (not Judas, who betrayed Jesus, but JudAH)

I think the idea of it has amused me enough to actually push Judah into the top spot!

Maybe future Judah wouldn't be so amused though!

@BOOMshakeshakeshaketheroom

You might be religious, but your kids might not be. Most people are moving away from organised religion, the youth ever more so. I think it's harsh fk lumber a kid with such a blatantly religious name

I reckon there's plenty of Noahs, Joseph etc that manage fine