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Baby names

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

Original poster

Jessica or Emily

46 replies

Limbo19 · 21/02/2023 08:52

Our DD is a few weeks old and we just can't decide between Jessica and Emily.
I love both names and like the nn potential with each of them.
Worried that Jessica might be seen as a bit dated but that Emily is 'too popular' and there will be several Emilies in every playgroup.
Wondering what other people think.
Thank you!!!

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JamSandle · 21/02/2023 08:53

Jessica

BooksAndHooks · 21/02/2023 09:01

They are both very popular around here, along with Sophie / Sophia.

stopringingme · 21/02/2023 09:04

I like them both but I like Jessica slightly more so I am no help.

Lovely names though.

Iamclearlyamug · 21/02/2023 09:06

Love Jessica. The only woman I know called that is the most beautiful person inside and out so I'm biased - she's married to my brother 😅

Rauha · 21/02/2023 09:08

Jessica

Squamata · 21/02/2023 09:09

Jessica.

user1492757084 · 21/02/2023 09:11

Jessica is my fave of the two.

Do you like Amelie, Emma, Rebecca, Annika or Camilla?

DurdleSnore · 21/02/2023 09:15

I like both. I know Jessica’s of all ages from toddlers to adults but I think it is starting to decline looking at the stats. Very pretty name though and nice nicknames of Jess and Jessie. Emily is a classic and I don’t think you can go too far wrong with it. Again, know lots of varying ages.

WeWereInParis · 21/02/2023 09:17

I like both, but probably slightly prefer Jessica

Takingthepiss · 21/02/2023 09:20

I always try to imagine the personality of a name. We wanted our girl to be feisty and take no shit. It’s a tough world and women have it tough anyway.

Shes turned out to be a feisty funny fiercely independent witty no holds barred zero fucks given tweenager. She’s loving and caring when she wants to be but she takes her time in deciding who is worthy of that love. We have some emotional days where she struggles with the growing up that’s going on right now. I know the coming years are going to be so very hard navigating teenage life in this day and age. But once we’ve got through that I feel confident she has the courage and determination to smash adulthood. I hope.

she is called Jessica

PS she HATES school. I feel an Emily would have loved it.

Sheldoncoopersspot · 21/02/2023 09:22

I named my dd Jessica and I still love it 12 years later.

tworedtomatoes · 21/02/2023 09:32

Jessica is a beautiful name

emmathedilemma · 21/02/2023 09:35

I like them both but my views of Jessica are marred by ones I've known (whiney and bitchy) so my vote goes to Emily.

Holly60 · 21/02/2023 09:36

I like Emily as I feel it's a bit more timeless than Jessica.

Emily Jessica is lovely

NannyR · 21/02/2023 09:42

I know you can't generalise and what your name is doesn't necessarily form your character, but to me Emily is quite a soft, feminine name whereas Jessica (and Jess) is much stronger name.

HiImTheProblemItsMe · 21/02/2023 09:44

I prefer Jessica.

purpledalmation · 21/02/2023 09:50

I have a Jessica, so it's no contest.

Jodielou5972 · 21/02/2023 09:50

Jessica Emily sounds lovely!
Those are two of the names I loved too. I went with Emily, but only because our family has so many J's we all get the wrong name anyway 🤦🏻‍♀️

KirstenBlest · 21/02/2023 10:36

Jessica.
Both are ok, but there are lots of Emily/Amelia/Emilia/Amelie type names around, and the trend will go before long.

Blueberrywitch · 21/02/2023 10:37

Emily! But this is just from my personal experience of Emilys vs Jessicas. When I was growing up there were about 6 Emilys in each class and it didn’t seem to have a detrimental effect.

Snoopystick · 21/02/2023 10:39

Both lovely names, but would plump for Emma rather than Emily.

MissHavishamsMouldyOldCake · 21/02/2023 11:16

I MUCH prefer Jessica. Jess and Jessie are both sweet shortenings.

Emily is a simpering and drippy name.

FinnRussell · 21/02/2023 11:19

Jessica is lovely. Emily is meh.

JumbledE · 21/02/2023 13:26

I like Emily with the nn Emmy :)

WhoHidTheCoffee · 21/02/2023 13:28

I don’t know any little Jessicas, and not loads of older ones - but I have lost count of how many Emilys we have in our lives at the moment, and can think of at least three under ten. They are both lovely names - I’d probably go for Jessica personally if popularity is a concern.