I’m currently 20 weeks pregnant with my second child. My first is a boy named S1m0n K3lly Lastname. We don’t plan to find out the sex of this baby before the birth.
For ages and ages and ages (okay, about 6 or 7 years), [name]Josephine[/name] has been my favorite girls name. We’ve had a first and middle–[name]Josephine[/name] She@–picked since I was pregnant with my son.
However, it’s risen so much in popularity in the last couple of years. While I haven’t encountered any in real life and don’t know any in my circle, I worry it’s only a matter of time until it’s top 100, maybe even top 50. I’m not sure how I’d feel about running into other Josephines everywhere I go.
My husband and I have also come to really love the name [name]Henrietta[/name], his great-grandmother’s name. We would use the nickname [name]Hattie[/name] and haven’t decided on a middle name yet, possibly She@ as well (though I don’t love the two together as much as I do with [name]Josephine[/name]). [name]Henrietta[/name] is obviously much less popular and a bolder, more unexpected choice, one of the things I love about it.
But my husband and our children have/will have a tease-provoking last name. Something that 9-year-old boys get a kick out of mocking. I’m worried that [name]Henrietta[/name] is too bold with that last name and that [name]Josephine[/name] is a gentler, easier fit.
My husband is split 50-50 on the two names right now. I’m still leaning toward [name]Josephine[/name]–it gives me such a happy feeling in my heart–but then have times when I’m more excited about [name]Henrietta[/name]. I’m okay keeping both on ice until the baby is born, seeing if it’s a girl, and seeing which name fits better. But I guess the big issue is I don’t know what would upset me more: picking J and then groaning every time I run into another one or NOT picking J and sighing every time I encounter another little girl with the name I loved for so long but didn’t use.
I prefer [name]Josephine[/name] to [name]Henrietta[/name]. I don’t think you have to worry about [name]Josephine[/name]'s popularity if you have yet to meet one in your area (see the US stats below). [name]Josephine[/name] has been increasing but her rise has been a steady one not meteoric. I think [name]Josephine[/name] is strong, elegant and majestic. I love vintage names but for some reason I can’t “warm” to [name]Henrietta[/name]. I find it clunky. While I can appreciate the family connection for you, I’m not a fan of [name]Henrietta[/name] (I do love [name]Hattie[/name] though).
I tend to prefer [name]Josephine[/name] over [name]Henrietta[/name] (I agree with previous poster that it’s a little clunky), but I absolutely [name]LOVE[/name] the nn [name]Hattie[/name], so adorable, so I’m torn. I guess I’m not much help!
[name]Josephine[/name] > [name]Henrietta[/name].
I love [name]Josie[/name], and though [name]Hattie[/name] is a cute nn, [name]Henrietta[/name] is too clunky for my taste. Plus I can’t get rid of the the associated with [name]Henrietta[/name] the Hippo.
Fortunately, I think you’re in a win win situation; both names are gorgeous. Personally, I think the greater regret will be losing out on a name you love.
Thanks everyone, I appreciate the feedback. I think it’s likely that this baby will be [name]Josephine[/name] if a girl, but I reserve the right to keep [name]Henrietta[/name] in my back pocket in case it feels right after delivery.
Of course, it could be a boy, which is a whole other story
