J is for Josie and Jonah

J is for Josie and Jonah

There are sooo many luscious J names—it’s hard to boil them down to just a few. However, I shall try.

Best Bible Names: Julia, Junia, Jerusha, and Jemima. Julia is probably my favorite girl’s classic—“a perennially stylish slam dunk” I gush in Atticus. Julia is one of Saint Paul’s many pals, mentioned in the Book of Romans.

Junia: Where were you when I was writing “A is for Adam”? Apparently, I was not reading the right translation, now was I? Not like the brilliant Laura Wattenberg, of “Baby Name Wizard” fame, whose squib about Junia got my attention fast:

“In Roman 16: 7, Junia was described as “of note among the apostles.” If you don’t find her in your Bible, it’s because scribes in the Middle Ages thought such a description of a woman must be wrong. They scratched Junia out and came up with the masculine Junias in its place. Translators today are reversing that decision.” Thank goodness for that!

Jerusha was a queen of Judah, the wife of King Uzziah and the the mother of the boy king Jotham. It just rolls off the tongue, doesn’t it? I love saying it, and this one’s a good option for those seeking a Bible name that’s not overused (Junia too!).

Jemima was one of Job’s daughters and is sorely overlooked in these parts, all due to imitation maple syrup. This drives me crazy, because it’s a pretty, quaint, and literary name that deserves a shot. In England they pronounce it “Je-MEE-ma,” which is lovely, too.

Best Lit Names: Jerusha (Daddy Long Legs) and Jemima (Vanity Fair, Chitty Bang Bang) work as lit names, but my favorite is still—despite the great movie, which kind of brings to mind a pregnant teenager—Juno. Very hip and energetic, Juno was the Roman queen of the Gods and appeared in Shakespeare and Virgil.

Best International Names: Sweet, peppy Julitta comes from our friends the Dutch, while romantic Jacinta blooms (it’s Spanish for hyacinth). Say these J names out loud. See, aren’t they gorgeous?

Best J name: Josephine. You could pay tribute to one of the most cherished heroines in fiction, Jo March of “Little Women,” plus this darling gem boasts two great short forms: Josie (too cute!) and Feeny (an antique nickname). Love it!

BOYS

Best Bible Names: Jonah, of course. At 148 on the Baby name popularity chart, Jonah is a “bargain.” It’s strong and masculine while cute on a little boy, plus it is a symbol of redemption and rebirth. In the 12 years since we picked it for our boy, we’ve grown more and more pleased with our choice. Runners up: Jude, Jotham, Jed (Jedidiah), Jadon (Nehemiah 3:7).

Best Lit Name: Jasper. “Cut from the same old-time-yet-newfangled cloth as Ezra, Leo, Emmett and Phineaus, Jasper is onward and upward,” I cooed in “Atticus.” And since Brad Paisley and his wife, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, named their baby Jasper, the name has shot up 200 places to the 300’s as of 2009.

Best International Name: Justus. What a power-packed name! The Romans gave it to us, and the Germans are using it well. With this spelling, the in-your-face idea is softened enough to make it a little more accessible. Very strong and bold and stylish, too. Runner up: Joaquin (Spanish), Johan (German). (Johan, you say? Yes! Pronounced “YO-hawn,” “Jo (YO)” is a pretty slick little nickname. Heidi Klum and Seal thought so, and how fabulous are they?

I is for Ivy and Ian

GIRLS

Best Lit Name: Iris. As I said in "Atticus," "This flower name in the bouquet zigs while the others zag. It's not for everyone, but that makes it a cool iconoclast. Iris sounds like the kind of girl who grows up to play bass in the hippest side-stage band." Iris appears as one of three otherworldly messengers in "The Tempest." She's represented by a rainbow. Runners up: India ("Gone with the Wind"), Imogene ("Cymbeline").

Best International Name: Isla. That's "Aisle-a," folks, not Iss-la. The flame-haired actress of "Shopaholic" fame, Isla Fisher, brought this uncommonly lovely Scotch import to our attention. An absolutely novel and gorgeous choice for anyone on the hunt for a Scottish name (Molly and Caitlin are no longer overtly Scottish, at any rate). Runners up: Ingrid (Scandinavia and Germany), and Ilsa (same).

Best Name, period: Ivy. Botanical names are so tasteful and elegant, with a splash of artistic flair. Ivy's also cute, strong, and antique, which means Ivy's got it all.

BOYS

Best Lit Name: Ibsen. I know, you're like, 'Whaaat?' Work with me a minute. Ibsen is theatrical, Scandinavian, and utterly original. Of course, it belonged to Henrik Ibsen, the father of modern drama. "Fantastically creative and evocative," I say in "Atticus." Runner Up: Ian Fleming wrote the James Bond novels, and oddly enough, "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang."

Best Bible Name: Isaiah. Breaking my own popularity rules, I would have to say Isaiah is, though quite common, a beautiful, strong, handsome and poetic name. Runner Up: Isaac (the nickname Ike is pretty slick, though few seem to use it.)

Best International Name: Ingo: I've always liked this German name, attached to actor Ingo Rademacher (he who named his own child Peanut). With an O on the end, it has zip, perhaps a more exotic Milo.

Best name, period: Ian. I used to know this guy from camp, Ian MacBeath (pronounced MacBeth), and I almost developed a crush on him for his name alone, not that he wasn't a nice fella. Scottish Ian is "light and swift," says Laura Wattenberg of The Baby Name Wizard. I concur. It goes with almost any surname, and somehow is so appealing despite the fact that it's no longer original.