Do you prefer Joy or Mercy?

[Flutterflybutterby]

I never heard of Mercy as a name.
I would prefer Joy, though if it’s purely about the meaning behind the name, I think Felix or Felice would be my choice !

Neither, sorry.

I think I prefer Joy. The meaning is nicer IMO.

I love Joy- reminds me of the brilliant Joy from Drop the Dead Donkey.

Mercy makes me think of Mercy Dulbottle from the Jill books. Clemency is a lovely name if you like the meaning.

Joy - it’s a very happy sounding name

Joy. Mercy unfortunately makes me think of someone pleading for mercy during torture or something

I don’t like either but if I had to choose then joy

Mercy

I don't like either, but if I had to choose, then Joy. Mercy sounds very earnest indeed.

I like both, but I think Joy has the edge.

I've met two Joys, they were so, well, joyful!

Joy for definite. Lovely name - always makes me smile

Joy, but I would choose Hope or Verity if you are set on a virtue name

Joy!

Joy

Joy.
'Begging for mercy'', is the first thing that came to mind for Mercy.
Whereas Joy sounds like a nice happy name.

How about Mercia?

@ritalinda

Joy. Mercy unfortunately makes me think of someone pleading for mercy during torture or something

Same here. Joy or Joyce but not Mercy.

I love Joy- reminds me of the brilliant Joy from Drop the Dead Donkey.

Yes!

Don't like Mercy as a name. Joy is lovely though.

Joy because I just don't like the sound of Mercy as a word. It sounds lispy somehow.

@ritalinda

Joy. Mercy unfortunately makes me think of someone pleading for mercy during torture or something

Yes, ever since I read Michel Faber's (remarkably nasty) novel Under the Skin, 'Mercy' has given me the shivers. I agree that Clemency is nice, if it's the meaning that appeals.

I don't care for Joy, though -- I think it's too close to Joyce for me, and that feels dated. Plus the only Joy I've known well was a prurient gossip with eyebrows plucked into semi-circles that made her look perpetually astonished.

Joy, by a long way.

I love Mercy - never really liked Joy as a name, though obviously the meaning’s lovely.
I also love Faith, Charity, Verity and Grace. Not quite so keen on Hope or Patience...

Joy! What a lovely meaning. Yes to the Mercy Dulbottle reference and clemency being a nicer variation on the meaning

Mercy always makes me think of Pretty Woman!

Joy