Wimping out
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Wimping out
| Mon, 03-27-2006 - 1:28pm |
I really like the name Jude for a boy. I did a poll on another site and 17 responses all loved it, however one woman wrote that she had named her son that and always gets lots of negative feedback on the name. So, were the others just being kind? What's the real scoop - is this a bad name?

Read "Jude, the Obscure"? Enough said. He doesn't come off that great. And, Jude Law slept with his nanny. Neither of these are great shoes for your son to fill.
That said, I do like the name itself, and I'm honestly unlikely to make either of these associations if I'm meeting the child. But, without knowing you, and just seeing the name on this board, these are the things that occur to me immediately.
I really like the name Jude as well, and I wouldn't worry too much just because one woman said she'd gotten a lot of negative reactions to it. In fact, I actually find it pretty hard to believe a mother who had already named her child this exact name would try to discourage you from doing so. It's just a bit unusual. (For example, my oldest daughter is named Kaitlyn, and while it has turned out to be a popular name, I obviously still love it ... after all, it's HER name! KWIM?). Perhaps she just wanted to mention that she had gotten some negative feedback on the name ... and still really liked it (but didn't know how to phrase this to convey her meaning properly)? Something like that?
The only negative association I could think of would be people immediately thinking of Jude Law (which still isn't terrible). Also, some people might not like it initially because it's not an extremely-common name, like Michael, Matthew, etc. Some people just aren't as fast to like something they're unfamiliar with, but once it's his name he'll definitely make it his own. ;)
So, in short, I wouldn't worry about it. :)
HTH
~Kelli
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Hi! I'm a big fan of the name Jude! My DHs name is Jude and I have loved his name from the moment I heard it. I have not had one negative thought about the name, in fact, I think it's quite strong and very masculine. He actually really likes his name, too, because of it's uniqueness. He did get a bit of teasing as a child, but if kids want to tease you about your name, they're going to find a way to do it no matter your name. He was not traumatized as a result of the little bit of teasing he got. My first thought when I hear the name is of St. Jude...a wonderful, but often misunderstood saint! I found the following statement about St. Jude online and thought it was a very nice way to think of him..."St. Jude has proven to be a true friend and a beacon of hope to those who call on him--always willing to help and seek help no matter how desperate the need. And in today's tumultuous times, we need him more than ever." I also think of St. Jude's Research Hospital...finding cures and saving children. What can be negative about that?!?
With all that being said...if you love the name use it! I think a lot of people put way too much meaning in a name and analyze it to pieces until you talk yourself out of it. When we pick a name for our baby that is due in October, we will pick a name WE like and not what everybody else does. In the end, the baby is yours and you are the only one that has the right to name him! Good luck!!
Steph