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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:
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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

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