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?

@IVflytrap

I like Isaiah, and am surprised it isn't more popular in Britain, considering the popularity of names like Isaac and other biblical names. I would only pronounce Isaiah "eyes-eye-uh". Emphasis on the second syllable and the ending sound is in line with other boys biblical names like Josiah and Zephaniah. I think Eyes-ay-uh is the American version.

Not so keen on Judah, but I love Jude. Josiah is nice too.

I think you're right that I-say-uh is the American version. All the Isaiah's I know are American so I just assumed I'd got the pronounciation wrong before. I like it with an 'eye' sound a bit more, but it might be a bit awkward considering I know a few I-say-uhs to introduce them to the baby. 'Hi I-say-uh! Meet I-seye-uh!'

I think something is seen as ‘too biblical’ if the only association with it is the bible. So if you say Jacob people think of kids they know, characters in novels and television, actors etc. If you say Zebediah most people only think of the bible. Or possibly one of those television families with 15 children who make barns.

Obviously if more people used Zebediah then it would change, but certain names aren’t in the common usage so remain strongly tied to their biblical origin.

Excellent names, OP! I really love those heavy duty OT names. Isaiah is my favourite though.

@BrilliantBetty

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

Have you not read Jude the Obscure?

@umberellaonesie

I also love be Zephaniah We have old testament names in our family but fairly safe ones. Asher, Seth, Caleb, Joseph, Eli, Dan, Jude, Issac, Reuben People think we are religious, we are a little bit. But really I chose mine cos they were uncommon boys names but still quite traditional

I"m not the least bit religious and I love all of those names.

I’ve never met an Elijah, so I don’t think you need to worry about it being too popular. Isaiah is too difficult to spell!

@BrilliantBetty

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

Jude is the patron saint of hopeless cases! It’s an unlucky name to me