Active discussions

Best Amazon Prime Day deals: Mumsnet favourites

Best Amazon Prime Day deals:
Mumsnet favourites

Shop now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

Joss, boy or girl?

73 replies

BusterGroove · 10/12/2021 23:10

If you saw the name Joss written down would you think that person was male or female?

I’m happy for a unisex name, but not one where most people would assume boy or girl straight away (if my child is the opposite!) so I’d just like to do a quick poll!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat · 10/12/2021 23:12

Boy but wouldn't be surprised to be corrected to girl, like Joss Stone.

Snog · 10/12/2021 23:12

Girl

nocoolnamesleft · 10/12/2021 23:12

Boy

SantasGoodLittleGirl · 10/12/2021 23:13

Stick.

Molehillfromamountain · 10/12/2021 23:13

Boy, because I knew one.

Flutterflybutterby · 10/12/2021 23:14

Boy

winniesanderson · 10/12/2021 23:14

Either, I've heard of equal amount of both.

Skeumorph · 10/12/2021 23:15

Completely either!

WarrickDavisAsPlates · 10/12/2021 23:15

I've only ever met a boy Joss so I'd probably assume boy. But I do love the name and think if works for either sex.

BHX3000 · 10/12/2021 23:15

Boy

longestlurkerever · 10/12/2021 23:16

Girl. Trebizon books will always cloud this for me

Original poster
BusterGroove · 10/12/2021 23:18

Looks like more people think boy so far. For a boy or a girl would you expect it to be short for something?

OP posts:
MolkosTeenageAngst · 10/12/2021 23:20

Girl, I didn’t realise it could be used for boys.

MrsElijahMikaelson1 · 10/12/2021 23:22

Girl as I thought it short for Joselyn

TuftyMarmoset · 10/12/2021 23:24

Female - I think Joss Stone is short for Jocelyn which is quite intuitive but I can’t think offhand what a male Joss like Joss Whedon would be short for. Regardless of sex I would expect it to be a shortening and not the given name.

AppleArtist · 10/12/2021 23:26

My son is called Jocelyn or Jos for short. He's 18 years old now. Still love the name. I can count on one hand the number of times someone has expected him to be female when seeing the name before meeting him. Not an issue.

Original poster
BusterGroove · 10/12/2021 23:34

@AppleArtist so from your sons experience people assume he’s male, so wouldn’t work as well for a girl?
I have a female friend called Alex (Alexandra) and she uses her full name in her work email address now because people calling her always expect her to be a man. She’s had some issues with clients from abroad not wanting to work with her once they realise she’s female 😮, so I’m just trying to avoid similar issues.
I like it for a boy or a girl but don’t want to get it wrong!

OP posts:
TuftyMarmoset · 10/12/2021 23:35

Jocelyn I would think was female. Never heard of it being used for a male before. It’s roughly as feminine as Jessica to me.

Ashara · 10/12/2021 23:38

My son is Jos, short for Joseph

FrostedCupcakes · 10/12/2021 23:42

Boy, because I know one.

Bitofachinwag · 10/12/2021 23:45

@MolkosTeenageAngst

Girl, I didn’t realise it could be used for boys.
Boy, I didn't realise it could be used for girls!
ImInStealthMode · 10/12/2021 23:45

Sticks or stones.

MiniatureHotdog · 10/12/2021 23:48

Boy. I know a lively Jos 😊

MiniatureHotdog · 10/12/2021 23:48

*lovely, though he is quite lively too

ilovetomatoes · 10/12/2021 23:49

Boy. Joss Butler