We are thinking of naming our baby girl Julep, not sure on the middle name yet. We originally wanted [name_u]Juniper[/name_u] when we had our first child 4 years ago, but he was a boy. [name_u]Juniper[/name_u] has risen a ton in popularity since then and I am afraid it’s just going to get more popular and be the next [name_u]Harper[/name_u]. [name_f]My[/name_f] question is, is Julep a great name, or is it a mistake? Does it evoke the image of nothing but an alcoholic drink and that is [name_m]WAY[/name_m] too tacky, or does it make you think of a group of Southern belles sitting on a front porch sipping mint juleps? Or none of the above? I understand that it’s not most people’s style, but it is straight out terrible?
I think it’s a mistake, sorry. Although, there are thousands of girls named [name_f]Brandy[/name_f] out there, but… I think that was a mistake, too.
I only think of the alcoholic drink, so… I wouldn’t use it. [name_u]Juniper[/name_u] is lovely, and I don’t think it will become anywhere near as popular as [name_u]Harper[/name_u].
I think [name_u]Juniper[/name_u] is lovely, and I sincerely doubt it’ll crack even the top 1000, unless some celebrity decides to use it. Julep does sound tacky to me, I’m afraid. I’d use [name_f]Juno[/name_f] or [name_f]Jonquil[/name_f] as an alternative to [name_u]Juniper[/name_u] if that’s out.
[name_u]Juniper[/name_u] is already well into the top 1000. It’s in the 600s now.
I only think of the drink. I don’t think I would use it. Stick with [name_u]Juniper[/name_u] - I don’t think it will become too popular.
I like [name_u]Jules[/name_u] for another option.
[name_f]Juno[/name_f]?
[name_u]June[/name_u]?
[name_u]Juniper[/name_u] has cracked the top 1000 - it sits at 648. It was one of the fastest-rising names in 2013, gaining 227 spots since 2012, and is poised to continue to gain popularity. <----- From Nameberry
Sorry, I think it’s a mistake. It reminds me of alcohol, whether or not it’s classy Southern ladies drinking it. I don’t think that [name_u]Juniper[/name_u] has the mainstream appeal to be the next [name_u]Harper[/name_u], but I do understand that fear when you see a name rise by THAT much. Last year [name_u]Juniper[/name_u] still only went to fewer than 10 babies per state, on average, but I understand worrying that the same percent increase for another few years would make it blow up.
To use similar sounds, I’d go with [name_f]Junia[/name_f] or even [name_f]Tulip[/name_f] before Julep.
Well, thanks everyone. I guess Julep is out. [name_u]Juniper[/name_u] too probably. Back to the drawing board.
I still think you should use [name_u]Juniper[/name_u] 
So do you want something out of the top 1000?
Julep is cute, but I can see why it’s problematic. [name_f]Tulip[/name_f] is similar and quirky. I like the suggestion of [name_u]Jules[/name_u] too. I have yet to meet a [name_u]Juniper[/name_u]. The top 600 is still composed of pretty rare names.
I would like something not in the top 1000. We like names that are very uncommon, easy to spell and pronounce, and attractive sounding. Soooo basically what everyone wants.
One issue is that my husband and I and our first child all have names beginning with J, and we don’t know whether or not to break that trend with what may be our last child. We’re not sure if it would be weirder to use another J name or weirder NOT to.
[name_f]My[/name_f] best friend just went through this and decided to break the same intial trend. They went with a letter that matched the last name.
What about [name_f]Jacaranda[/name_f] nn [name_u]Jackie[/name_u]? Is there anything inherently wrong with [name_f]Jacaranda[/name_f]?
I like Julep. However, being from Kentucky I have very positive associations with it. I definitely think of the alcohol, but it also brings to mind horse racing, big pretty hats and spring time. However, not everyone will think that’s a good thing. I don’t think [name_u]Juniper[/name_u] will get that popluar. I’ve never met a [name_u]Juniper[/name_u] “in real life.”
[name_f]Jonquil[/name_f], [name_f]Jacinta[/name_f], Jasione…other botinical J names?
I think I am indeed stuck on botanical J names. Any other suggestions? [name_f]Jonquil[/name_f], [name_f]Jasmine[/name_f] and [name_f]Jessamine[/name_f] are out but other than that we’re open.
Jessemy - “jasmine flower”
[name_f]Jacinda[/name_f] - “hyacinth”
[name_f]Jinan[/name_f] - “garden, paradise”
Finding a J botanical name other than what you listed is hard. I’m just going to throw out some J names…
[name_f]Jovie[/name_f]/[name_f]Jovienne[/name_f]
[name_f]Jola[/name_f]
[name_f]Jenae[/name_f] (#828 Juh-nay)
Jaena ([name_u]Jay[/name_u]-nuh)
Thank you! I have liked [name_m]Jovi[/name_m] for a long time, I’d somehow never heard of [name_f]Jovienne[/name_f].