Jessica - opinions please!

[JBroRo]

We're expecting our 1st DC in about 6 weeks (don't know the gender) and was wondering what people thought of the name Jessica.

My DH and I have both always loved this name, even before I fell pregnant. I particularly like the fact that it can be shortened to Jess or Jessie.

I wouldn't normally post in this section as am of the opinion that if you like a name it doesn't really matter what anyone else thinks.

However, a couple of people recently, when we have shared our name possibilities, have started to make comments like "Oo I wouldn't pick the name Jessica - hasn't it been the most common name for years"!

I was aware of this but it never really bothered me as I love the name and don't actually know any Jessicas or anyone who has chosen that name.

The problem is that my DH does seem bothered by these comments and is starting to doubt our choice! It's thrown me a bit to be honest.

What do you think?

"Little Jess." Aww, that's so sweet

Lovely.

My dd2 has Jessie as her middle name, after my gran, who was always called Jess.

I really like it.

I went to school with a very nice Jessica and think its a lovely name.

It is a very popular in East London where there are three 2 year old Jessicas in ds playgroup.

To be honest there are very few pretty names out there that aren't popular. If you both like it I say go for it.

Classic and lovely

I love it but then I am biased

Mine is the only one we know, and was the only one in her whole preschool. It may depend on where you live but there aren't many at all round here.

I also like Phoebe and Imogen - very pretty names.

It's DD's name. DH chose it and I admit, I wasn't too keen on it to begin with (think it was the fact that Murder She Wrote is constantly on at my mum's), but it has grown on me. DD loves it and always calls herself Jessica, not Jess or Jessie.
I don't know of any others with her name, I think Phoebe and Imogen are more popular round here?

Mitfordsisters- judging by your name I'm not surprised you approve! She was never my favourite but that's another discussion (DH vetoed Nancy or Diana)

LIke the name Jessica, it is a popular name but why care, if you like it you like it.

How about Ted for a boy?

I think Jessica is a beautiful name. Would have used it for DD2 but sadly it clashes with our surname.
We have a Phoebe instead which I also love.

Thanks again for all your comments ladies - think I may show DH this thread!

I know 3 - ages 4, 10 and late 20s. Nice name but popular. If you like it go for it...

oooh, was v interested in this! as im deciding between Jessica and Phoebe!!

my DD is a Jessica and she loves her name.

I know two 4 year old Jessica's.

I think she'd be unlucky to have more than one in a class. Popular but spanning a wide age range. Not like Evie etc where they are all aged 2.

Not my style but nice because it doesn't date you to a particular era.

Don't stress about how high a name is on the charts.

I barely know any Jacks - just a normal amount iyswim.

However, my DD has a name that was 300 and something on the name list when she was born. We know several girls with the same name! So you can't win really.

Just choose what you like.

It is definitely popular where I live but it is a nice name and if you love it, go for it.

I particularly like Phoebe from your list.

Boys names:

Harry
Sam(uel)
Josh(ua)
Tom/ Thomas
Ben(jamin)
Oliver

Lora 69 - how long have you got left to decide?

I think its a great name (mainly because I am one!) - I use the long version for when I want to be posh and professional!! but I am usually a Jess amongst friends. Go for it!

OK, I'm biased here...it's not that I don't like the name Jessica, obviously but how can it be considered "classic"? How many Jessicas over the age of 30 have you ever met?

JBroRo...never tell people what you plan to call your child before it's born..you will always get negative comments!

Jessica was Shylock's daughter in the Merchant of Venice - it should be classic, it has been around a long time!

And Jessica Lang doesn't count!

Jessica Mitford?

But didn't Shakespeare take Jessica from Iscah in the Bible?

Jessica only shot up in popularity in the 80's, I wouldn't say it's a classic like James or Edward or Anna.

I might be wrong, though.

"Iskah was rendered "Jeska" in English Bibles available in Shakespeare's day" (from wiki)

And there is (was???) Jessica Tandy but I don't know if that's her real name. Tis true that, with a few exceptions, most well-known Jessicas date from the 80s or later.

Late to this thread but it is a lovely name.
Also like Imogen.

My DD (11) has a friend Jessica. Don't know any younger ones round here. (Quite a lot of 'Imo's) Go for it!