Torn between two names.

[PleaseHelpMePick]

Hi, I'm stuck between 2 names I basically like them the same amount so it's really hard to choose.
Can you help sway me either way?

Thanks x

I like them both. Nothing wrong with either of them. (Helpful!) Do you prefer Josh or Alex? I think Alex has the edge for me.

I think I prefer Josh but wanted to see the public opinion in case my taste is awful, everyone seems to lean toward one or the other. 😂

Don’t decide now. Decide when your baby is born. One name will suit him.

Both great names.

Josh isn't awful! It might not be to everyone's taste but it's a lovely name with a long history. They both are xx

I love both and we have several of both names in our family across the generations. I would say that both Joshuas and their parents have had comments about it being a “naughty boy” name, if that would bother you 🙄 Although, I think the whole “naughty boy” name thing comes with a side helping of classism and snobbery.

Both great names. One was on the shortlist when I had DS and was just edged out, the other was the name I'd call a second boy. Agree to think about the shortening, even if you don't use that his friends will.

Both are fine names with strength and history. I'd lean more towards Josh but it depends on your surname I guess. As a pp suggested, wait until he's born and see what suits him best. It might sound daft, but it works!

They're both good names. Does one of them sound better with your surname?

I wouldn't worry too much about "naughty boy names". My friend, who used to be a primary school teacher, says that her job put her off a long list of names! But Alexander and Joshua are both fairly classic IMO.

Def Alexander with shortened name Xander not Alex

I went for Joshua as I know a million Alex’s (male and female) of all ages.

We know soo many boys/men and girls/women called Alex. I find it dull and overused.

And NOBODY says Alexander - it’s too long

Use both names. One can be the middle name!

Joshua for me. It’s definitely not a naughty boy name, IMO. I get more professional, academic feelings from that name.

“Hi, I’m Dr Joshua Greenfield, thank you for coming to my seminar today on…”

”Joshua Davidson KC for the defence.”

”you should definitely email my accountant, his name is Joshua Stevenson. He’s great, incredibly smart”

I'd go with the one you prefer the short form for. He's unlikely to be Joshua or Alexander forever. You'll probably spend most of his life calling him Josh or one of the many short forms of Alexander. If Josh is what you prefer, go for Joshua.

I slightly prefer Joshua/Josh out of the two, although Alexander is very handsome as a full name.

Toss a coin. Heads Alexander, tails Joshua. When it lands, your gut will tell you the answer.

Which one goes better with the surname?

Ah guys thank you all for your help and advice. I've had a think about it and I have decided I prefer Joshua with my surname and the nickname over Alexander.
Also I have a gut feeling, just leaning towards it more where as when I think of Alexander I don't feel as fuzzy if that makes sense?

That makes complete sense! Joshua is a lovely name and your gut is telling you it’s the right one for your boy 💙

It definitely makes sense. If the thought of a name makes you feel fuzzy inside, it's definitely the right one.

Oh Alexander was my favourite boy name.still is.but dh didn't like it. Thought he would get Ali.

Another way to choose might be : if someone very close to you had a baby tomorrow and called them Joshua or Alexander, which one would you be most upset about not being able to use?
I found an instinctive reaction to that helped with my choice.

Waiting till they were born didn’t help personally, as babies just look like cute squishy alien beings to me - so only “suit” silly pet names rather than a serious one they can use for the rest of their adult lives 🤷‍♀️

But it sounds like you are leaning towards Josh already anyway -and both names are classic choices that are unlikely to cause your son any problems in life.

We had our son’s name narrowed down to 2 -either dsname or Connor. This was 20 years ago so we also didn’t know the sex as it wasn’t as common then.
After he was born the midwife asked about names and we said “we can’t decide between dsname and Connor” The midwife screwed up her face and said “we get a lot of Connors”

Decision made! 😂

Our youngest was between Joshua and Alexander and we didn't decide for definite until he was born and then we went for Alexander. Absolutely love both names and has our third been a boy Joshua would have been a strong contender

My brother in his 20s is Joshua but everyone calls him Josh. We liked Alexander was on our list for our son. Both great names!