Jesse or Elias

[chasingthewind11]

We've narrowed it down to 2 names for our baby boy coming soon- Jesse or Elias (pronounced E-LIE-ASS). We like both meanings. I'd just like to know which you prefer mumsnet! Thanks 😊

I prefer Elias, mainly because in parts of the UK, Jesse is used as an insult for someone who is weak or effeminate.

Elias is lovely, Also Silas?

@Sillybillypoopoomummy I like Silas too! But I don't really like Si which is what it would be shortened to

ah yes, I have never heard that, but it is the logical shortening! Do you like Eli as the equivalent?

I absolutely love Jesse but was put off using it by the negative connotations. Elias is lovely.

Elias definitely and Eli is a lovely shortening too

I actually really like Jesse. Doesn’t have the connotation where I am, plus I don’t think there’s anything wrong with being effeminate.

I prefer Jesse

Elias, I love the shortening of Eli too.

I only know girls called Jessie or Jess. I find it very feminine!

Elias is nice (but not Elli)

I adore Jesse for a boy.

But I think I may like names with a feminine edge for a boy or a man.
Somehow it highlights masculinity.

I also love:
Christy
Jamie
Francis

All slightly feminine but lovely on a boy and a man.

I love Jesse. I know couple but they are aussies and south africans. Elias is just boring in comparison

That would be the girl’s name Jessie (from Jessica), not the boys’ name Jesse.
They different names.

Elias. Regardless of male or female spellings, Jessie and Jesse sound the same. Effeminate on a boy.

I know they are but they are pronounced the same. Do you really think people care about spelling when they are bullying?

I was supposed to have a quote added to that and it didn't work.

The names don’t have any link at all to me, between Jesse and Jessie. It’s not about spelling. Jesse is famously the big old Biblical figure, long beard and all. Very traditionally male-looking. Like how Noah or Isaac are depicted.
I prefer Elias, though.

That would be the girl’s name Jessie (from Jessica), not the boys’ name Jesse.
They different names.

But The Big Jesse is also an insult, I thought?

The names don’t have any link at all to me, between Jesse and Jessie.

But when hearing them, they sound the same

I love Jesse, it's on my list.

The Jessie connection doesn't bother me at all, I actually think it and the nn Jess sound quite strong and even masculine - I probably associate it with the character from Gilmore Girls (showing my age, lol) and a few I've known irl.

I would go with Elias.
Jessie/Jesse sound exactly the same and are used as an insult.

I prefer Elias and Eli lovely name also like Elijah

Thanks everyone, I wonder if anyone has a Jesse and has found he has been bullied/teased? There seem to be so many unisex names around today I'm hopeful that kids are used to them and there's less bullying around names. Although I've heard the phrase 'big jesse' I've never actually heard it used as an insult...

Although I've heard the phrase 'big jesse' I've never actually heard it used as an insult...

The phrase is “big jessie” - not Jesse. “Big Jesse” as an insult makes no sense at all. Jesse is a very masculine, powerful name - “the root of Jesse” - Jesse, who founded the house of King David, and has echoed down the generations and culture for ever.

I Think it’s weird if people say Jessie and Jesse sound the same - it’s like saying bough (of a tree) and bow (of a ship) sound the same. So what if they do? They’re different things, different names.