Baby Name Advice

i like that name i think its cute... when i named my son i knew i wanted a "J" name.. so we picked jael like the initails J.L. i also had in the back of mind that i also wanted a name that wasnt gonna be to babyish as he got older. good luck picking. but i like the name jonah

One of my friends has two sons named Jonah and Noah - I think it's super cute! Go for it! It's a wonderful name!!

Jonah is a great name for a child or an adult. You should go with it and not care what anyone else thinks. :)

I really like the name Jonah. Very nice selection! I don't think at all that it is a kids name. I know one person with the name, and he is an adult. He has never complained about his name, and I think it suits him rather well. I also don't think that having both of your children end in an 'ah' sound is wierd. I would make sure that they sound enough different that they won't get their names confused when you are asking for them or talking to them, but if the only similarity is the final sound, then it should be smooth sailings. Congratulations on #2!

I too think Jonah is a great name. Biblical names are popular. I would go with Jonah as long as you don't change the spelling to something weird. Many families name their kids with a pattern. Beginning letters the same or "ah" or "en" ending names.

Have some fun with it. As soon as you see your baby's eyes, call him Jonah and see if it fits.

Congrats,
M.

I think that the name Jonah is a lovely name for a new little boy, but - yes - everyone will think of Jonah and the whale. Is that a bad thing? If you are just unsure about Jonah, how about Jonas?

I think Jonah is a good name for a boy. It's a little different, but not weird. Even if people think of Jonah and the whale....I can't think of a bad connection where he'd get mercilessly teased.

I love names ending with the "ah" sound! My boys are named Isaiah and Elijah and if we're lucky enough to another, our chosen boy's name is Micah and our girl's name would be Gianna. I wouldn't worry about the future; you're choosing a name that is not only unusual but has bibilical reference which makes it all the more special. Your child will be proud of his name when he learns that Mommy and Daddy really put a lot into finding the name that was just perfect for him. Congratulations and good luck on the birth of Jonah! :)

1. I do think of the Bible story, but I LOVE the name anyway.

2. I think it's a great name for a child and an adult.

3. Not strange at all!

I like the name Jonah. I do not think children who knew the story would tease. Many children today don't know Bible stories. My nephew has a son he named Noah. I have a son whose name is Joel. I liked the sound and the meaning. All names get some teasing. My oldest was called "Tommy Toad" by a girl when he was in K and it upset him. No matter what name you choose there is always a possibility that there will be a "bully". Give him that beautiful name:) As for the "AH" sound...I called my sons Tommy, Jamey and Jody for a while all ending in the "eee" sound:)
H.

I think that's a wonderful name. Maybe have one other name picked out and see who he looks like. When he's older people could call him Jo, but I don't think of Jonah as a little boy name it suits a man too!!! Congrats on your new addition and many blessings!

M.

Naming your child has got to be one of the hardest things to do!!!
Jonah is a beautiful name for a baby or an adult man, and yes it makes me think of the bible story but so what? Go with the name that you like the best otherwise you will regret it. I also have 2 kids with names that end in "ah" sounds and we are happy with their names. Good luck

Alliteration is a good thing, I think. So having the kids with the same sounds at the end of their names will flow nicely. But yes, IMO, Jonah is a biblical name. I am not religious at all, but even I think of that name as being one for the super religious folk.

I think Jonah is a beautiful name. Don't worry what people associate that name to just as long as you like it. I chose a biblical name for my son (Josiah) and most people don't know it's biblical. Congratulations on your baby.

Jonah is a well known "bible" name.
My cousins kids are named: Ezekiel and Zachariah, and they are called Zeke and Zach.

My own kids, have names that start with an "ah" sound and both their names start with an "A." Not planned, but just so happens. Lots of people like their names.

Go with your heart in creating your son's name.
All the best,
Susan

I didn't think about the whale. And I'm Christian. LOL! I just love the sound of the name. Plus, I think it sounds like a handsome, strong man. Like, any man that carries that name will be awesome looking, LOL! I hope you understand. Does that make sense? You know, I honestly wouldn't worry about your daughter's name. Those are two separate distinct names. Good luck!

Hi CG,
Congratulations on the baby. I do think of the Jonah and the whale, but no big deal. I think the name is suitable for a child or adult and it is masculine enough for a boy to have even if it is similar to his sisters. Go with it!

Congratulations on your newcomer! My first reaction when you said you were thinking of the name Jonah was, honestly "ooh, what a cute name!". I didnt think of the bible til you said it. And who cares anyway. There are toooToo many names in the bible to be able to avoid them. Do you think of the bible every tie you hear of someone named John or Michael or David? me neither. I, though not yet pregnant, was thinking about girl names for my second child and i found myself liking names that end with the same sound as my son's first name, and I wondered the same thing as you about that. But, I dont think it really matters. Unless maybe it is the part of the name you would use for a nickname. But that doesnt seem likely with Jonah. He is more likely to get called "Jo" than "nah"...right?

If you like it, and you like saying it, and you like hearing it, and will continue to like hearing it for the rest of your life, then go for it! Forget about the silly stuff.

...And I think Jonah sounds like a handsome man's name, too!

Have a Healthy New year!

1. well, I immediatly thought of 'the whale'. But, who knows if any one else does.

2. Jonah doesn't sound too much like a kids name. Maybe it is the 'ah' sound that makes it sound young.

3. I have 2 sons, one named Davis, and I really like the name Travis. Even though they don't sound the same, they were too close, so I couldn't do it. But, I also do not like the whole family of kids that have the same 1st letter of their name. Like Ann, Alan, April etc... and the ah thing is like that.

Bottom line, do what you want. Every one is not going to like your choice. So what!!!!!!! mThink of how many kids that you think have stupid names. Jonah will never be that bad.

We have an adult friend with the name Jonah, and I've never even thought of his name as childlike. I don't think you'll have to worry about that part. Being a Bible believer myself, I do associate the name with the Biblical Jonah, but I find that a pleasant association and not something that would be bothersome. As for the "ah" sound, so long as they don't sound nearly identical when sound out loud which may cause confusion if you are calling for one or the other of them in the future, I don't see that posing a problem. If they do sound similar when said quickly, you may find it frustrates them later if you are calling out for one of them and they both respond all the time. Just something to consider.

Best of luck to you! I am also expecting and while we have chosen not to find out the gender, the name preparation is quite a challenge. It seems every name you like either your spouse doesn't like or there's some reason you question it being a good name. In the end, one you'll enjoy and that's all that matters!

I love the name Jonah! That's one of our twins names. And when everyone heard his name they loved it too. Good Luck!

My first thought was the biblical story but I dont think that's a that a bad thing. Jonah is a great name so go for it!

Hi,

Here are my answers to your 3 questions:
1. Although I am an atheist, "Jonah" makes me think of the Bible.
2. No, it does not sound like just a kid's name.
3. No, it does not seem strange for both of your kids' names to end in the same vowel sound.

Good luck choosing a name!

Lynne E

1. We have five children. Jacob Charles (from my first marriage), Jacob Riley (from my husbands first marriage), Noah Charles, Hannah Emily and Abigail Claire. I put the middle names so that you did not think that we were just stuck on biblical names. We like simple names. If Abby was a boy, Jonah was actually one of the names that I wanted.
2. I have two friends names Jonah ( I went to college with, they were roommates). One loved his name and thought it was cool and the other one liked his name and was called Joe most of the time since he was a kid. (don't know why.)
3. We have Hannah and Noah, no big deal with the "ah".
The social security web sight has a list of the top names if you want to check it out.

Jonah is a wonderful name!

My kids are named Noah and Malia, both with "ah" at the end.

So Noah is kind of like Jonah. Everyone thinks of Noah's Ark. But that is okay with us since we picked the name 1) for it's meaning, 2) because wanted a Biblical name and 3) because we just liked it. His first middle name is Wayne, after DH's Dad, and his second middle name is Kalani (Hawaiian) for "of the Heavens".

Malia is named after 2 great grandma's and a grandma. Malia is Hawaiian for Mary after her Great Grandma Mary (Dh's Grandma). Her first middle name is Mieko (Japanese) after my Grandma. Her second middle name is Kyung Hee (Korean) after my Mom.

So I would pick a name or names that have meaning to you or your hubby and definitely pick ones that you like.

I really like Jonah.

My cousin just named her son Jonah. I love it. His brothers are Noah and Benjamin so they are all biblical names. I think Jonah is a nice name. It's my uncle name also, and we all called him Uncle John.

By the way, my cousin's brother named his kids Brady and Logan. He went for the Irish names. So go with what makes you feel good.

Good luck

I went through the same turmoil after I had picked my son's name...it's nowhere and I named him after an animator who I adore! In a round about way, I found out it is actually an Irish Folk Hero's name...bizarre.

But, to be honest I love the name Jonah and while it is a huge name from the Bible and I'm Catholic it made me think of Sleepless in Seattle and not the flood.

If you like it go with it!

One of my son's best little pre-school buddies is named Jonah and I've never even once thought of it in a biblical reference (until now!) :-) I think it's a great name and not super common so there won't be 5 Jonah's in his class (hopefully!)I don't think it's a childish name at all. Go for it!
p.s. How old is your daughter? My first son (at 3 1/2) actually came up with my second son's name when I was pregnant and we like it and went with it. He LOVES to tell that story and the little one LOVES that his big bro named him! Just a thought.....

Name your son whatever you llike stop trying to anallize it so much if he dosent like it he can alwayschange it when he growes up. Just love him and enjoy him.I have 4 and couldnt spell so ther names are strainge but they they grew up to be great adults with children of their own sincerly A.

We also love the name Jonah. It was btwn Noah and Jonah for us, but we named our son Noah. He has alot of "Noahs Ark" stuff, but we haven't had a problem yet with naming our son Noah. Everyone loves the name. Even our license plate is "NOAZ RK"...it's fun. If we have another boy, we probably will name him Jonah or Jordan.
congrats on your baby boy!!!

I think it is a cool name. And if people think of the Bible story that just makes it more cool to me, as a Christian. More seeds to plant! :)
I know a lady who named her son Jerico, I always thought that was unique and it is also Bible based.

I think it is an awesome name. Most names will remind someone of someone else, it is a strong name, and many people name thier children similarly. :)

I didnt read all of your responses but you should name your child whatever you want and not worry about what others think. If you like the "ah" sound, how about
Joah. I went to school with a Joah and have never heard that name anywhere else. Its just taking the "n" out of the name. Just my thought.

dear cg - if you love the name, use it. no, I do not think of a whale. and names that have a connection in sound or same first letter as a lot of parents do, is kinda nice.
best wishes, A.

Hi,
If one were to think of the name Jonah all by itself, not attached to a real person, then yes, one might connect it with the whale story. When your child gets his name, the name will then become associated with a radiant little being. For me, while the idea of the whale story may pop into my head, it would be far outweighed by the idea of the little person in front of me.
Also, I don't find anything wrong with the name for an adult either.
If you choose Jonah as his name, it will be just fine.
Congratulations and all the best!
M.

Hi!!

Congrats on baby #2!! I am also on baby number 2, due April 2nd. Anyway..I love the name Jonah. When I hear it, I think of the movie Sleepless In Seattle..lol. The boy's name in that movie is Jonah. I think that it sounds good for a boy or an adult male. As far as it having the same ending sound as your daughter, I wouldn't worry about it. My oldest's name is Brooklyn, and we were going to name baby #2 Katelyn, but we couldn't agree with a spelling so we are going with Emily.

Good luck!!

L.

First off...I really like the name Jonah. To answer your questions:
1. I actually thought of the Jonas Brothers long before I thought of the bible story.
2. I think Jonah is a very nice name for a man and not boyish at all.
3. Not a big deal.

Congrats!

Jonah is a fantastic name! Go for it! I didn't think of the whale at all (and, honestly, if a couple of people do, thats their problem!). You've actually given me some ideas for our next tiny one...*grin*

It's a great name for a person, younger or older.

My two girls are Kaeleigh and Emilie. We really like "e" sounds here. You're not alone!

Have a wonderful holiday!

I also thought of the Jonas brothers when I read the name "Jonah." He will maybe shorten it to Joe when he grows older- or maybe stick with it, who knows?

No- it is not weird to have 2 kids with an 'ah' sound at the end. When I had child #2, (Kevin) his name ended with the "n" sound. My oldest (Megan) also has the "n" sound. When we had our newest child, we figured we had to have the "n" sound to match, otherwise he'd be the odd man out. To make things worse, both of the first two had a middle name beginning with a vowel Megan I.; Kevin E., so the last child also had to have a middle name beginning with a vowel.....

Isn't it silly what moms obsess over :) ?

In the end, it is amazing at how a child really fits the name you chose for them.

i like the name Jonah..never makes me think of the bible..cute name..

Love that name! That was one of my top names for a boy, but had a girl. I also think of the boy in Sleepless in Seattle. That's where I got the name from, not the bible story. It's cute for a kido and strong for a man. Go for it!

Yea the first thought was this is from the bible, did not think of the whale right away, but kids tease and I have a friend whos son is named Jonah, they call him Jon, he is teased at school they call him a whale.. but even though kids tease to teach your child how to take teasing and joking is better than to feel bad about it. I was teased with my name and still am, I just let it roll off my back and have fun with it, all in the attitude, this has to come from you and what you want, no bodys opinion counts except yours... Congrats on the baby to come a boy huh !!! another blessed angel !!!

I say go for it! Jonah is a great name and if you all like it then that is all that really matters. And as for the common sounding ending with your kids names--we did that also and never think twice and never get ribbed about it either. We started with a daughter-Payton and then a son-Ethan-then another son-Carson and another daughter-Jordan and finally our last son-Weston. So you can see we have taken it to a whole new level (I call it backwards alliteration)and I love it--we have the market on the "n" sound at the end of all their names. Have fun and good luck!!

Here's my opinion:
1) No, I don't think everyone will think of the story in the bible. My first thought was the son's name in Sleepless in Seattle (?).
2) I think Jonah is a cool name for a child or an adult.
3) I think it's kind of neat to have both children's name end with the "ah" sound. It sounds like you did that intentionally.
If you like the name, you should go for it. :-)
Good luck and Happy Holidays!

C G,

Don't over think it b/c you'll drive yourself crazy... Jonah is beautiful and the child will grow into his name as he grows up...

Our son's name is Sebastian Angel.. Angel b/c of his dad.

We went with one of our names as the middle name for the child...

Good luck and give yourself a break.

~C.

Hi CG,

I think Jonah is a beautiful name. It comes from the hebrew "Yonah", which means "dove." My personal feeling is that names can carry great meaning for a person. Read the story of Jonah -- it's about a lot more than about being swallowed by a whale (in the original hebrew, by a great fish). It's a story about shirking responsibility, recognizing the consequences of that, and finding redemption in facing that which is expected of you. Jonah was a great prophet who, once he accepted the role expected of him, saved all of the inhabitants of a large city (Niniveh) from destruction by teaching them to act ethically. All the same time, he was not perfect, teaching us that we can perform great and good acts even if we make mistakes along the way.

Congratulations on your upcoming addition!

R.

What's wrong with associating the name Jonah with the Bible? (It's not like you're deciding between Adolf or Sadaam where there are obvious negative connotations). And why does it matter what other people think? If you like the name, then go for it. (By the way, my friend just named her son Jonah and I happen to love the name and I also think it is a strong adult name...but that's just my opinion!!) Good luck making your final decision and congratulations on your new addition to your family!

Congratulations on your new baby. First of all, I am a believer that the parents should decide the name without too much outside help, because YOU are the ones who will be repeating this name incessantly over the next twenty years, so you had better LOVE the name! My husband and I did not share our list of names before we named our kids. We figured that people would give us feedback based on the impressions that the name gave them in their lives - a boyfriend that broke up with them, the bully in middle school, then "nerd girl" in Chemistry class etc. We didn't want to be soured on a name based on someone else's life experience. But once the child is given that name, they keep those stories to themselves.

Anyway - I think that boy names are WAY harder than girl names (I have 2 girls, which were pretty easy to name). I did not think of Jonah and the whale until you mentioned it. Good luck with your decision and don't take too much advice!!