I cannot resist.
Even after Dorcas posted her list yesterday, I still feel compelled to weigh in.
The Duggar family is expecting baby #20, which means they’ll need another J name. If you haven’t been following the mega-family since they had their first television special in 2004, the story of the names goes something like this:
They liked the name Joshua James for their first son. Then along came twins, Jana Marie and John-David. They didn’t want future kids to feel left out, so they figured they’d stick with J names, never dreaming they’d have so many kids.
The rest of the Duggar siblings are Jill Michelle, Jessa Lauren, Jinger Nicole, Joseph Garrett, Josiah Matthew, Joy-Anna, Jedidiah Robert, Jeremiah Robert, Jason Michael, James Andrew, Justin Samuel, Jackson Levi, Johannah Faith, Jennifer Danielle, Jordyn-Grace Makiya, and Josie Brooklyn.
Thanks to nouveau coinages like Jayden and Jaylon and Jaymee, J gets a bad rap, ranking right up there with the kreativ K. But there are plenty of J names that are stylish, wearable, and in some cases, completely unexpected.
No telling what the Duggar family will go with, but here are a few J names that anyone might consider.
BOYS
Jasper – He’s a nature name with a Colonial Revival vibe, plus his ends-in-r sound is terribly current. Popular in the nineteenth century, he’s rising again today. Jasper would fit in with the other Duggar names, but Jasper Duggar isn’t the most appealing first-last combination.
Jett – A modern all-boy choice with a nod to aviation and another to jet black coal, the name was most famously worn by a Disney Channel character, and by the late son of John Travolta and Kelly Preston. Jett first debuted in the US Top 1000 in 1999, and has climbed steadily to #353 last year. He’s probably not quite the Duggars’ style, though some of their middles hint at a trendier side.
Jonah or Jonas – They’re impeccably Biblical, but with Joseph, Josiah, and Josie, it seems like another Jo might be a no-go. Then again, it hasn’t stopped them yet …
Julian – This one could work beautifully. Despite Duggar Dad Jim Bob suggesting Julie Grace for baby Jordyn-Grace, never used a name starting with ju.
Jonathan – I would love to suggest it to Jim Bob and Michelle, but big brother John-David probably rules this out. Jonathan is one of my perpetual good guy names. I guess there could be a rat fink named Jonathan, but it seems like you’d have to be a helpful, sincere Boy Scout of a guy with this handsome name.
Jude – On their first television special, the family appeared to have settled on the name Judah Benjamin for son Jackson Levi. He shares the same sounds with Julian, but I’m not sure why they dumped Judah a coupla kids back – maybe they just liked Jackson better, or maybe they’d decided that Judah isn’t for them.
Jareth – Yes, yes I just suggested the name of the Goblin King, David Bowie’s character from 1986 fantasy flick Labyrinth, the rare Jim Henson production with a darker side. Jareth is a big-haired bad guy, his name apparently a spin on the Biblical Jared. So it isn’t exactly the Duggar family style, and yet, none of the kids’ names end in -eth. Jared strikes me as dated, but like sister Jennifer, it is one common J name that they’ve yet to use.
GIRLS
Jerusha – J’adore Jerusha. She’s an unusual Biblical pick with just enough use over the years to stay relevant. She also strikes me as an update to Geraldine. If the couple can have kids called Jedidiah and Josiah, why not Jerusha?
Justina – Since the family already includes a Justin, this one is almost certainly off the table – though they have a Josie and a Joseph. These days, Justin is a dad name, and Justine was a Bateman, but how ’bout Justina? She’s quirky and ancient, though perhaps the -tina ending gives parents pause.
Juliet – As with Julian, the family has yet to use the ju sound, and Julie has been in serious consideration in the past. (Seriously – how do you get to Jinger before Julia?) Other Jul- options include Julitta and Julissa. But this one is more a romantic, literary pick – not exactly their style.
June – She’s a lovely Little Einstein and Johnny Cash’s better half. Could Josie’s little sis be known as Junie? Along the same lines there’s Junia, Juno, and Juniper – all names in favor with name fans everywhere, but perhaps not on the radar of Arkansas’ most famous family.
Jessamine – Yes, there’s a Jessa, which might explain why the family has never welcomed a Jesse. Too bad because Jessamine and Jessamy are lovely, unexpected botanicals.
Jonquil – The slim nature name starts with jon, but offers a completely unexpected nickname. Just like Johannah answers to Hannie, Jonquil Duggar could be called Quil or Quilla. This is an idea that I love – not just for the Duggars, but for an ordinary family with just one or two children to name!
What do you think the Duggars will consider for the newest member of their family? Are there J-names that you’d use?
Atiya Spence says
September 17, 2014 at 12:27 AMHow about abandoning the “J” theme altogether and just start fresh and with another letter. Now that’s individualism.
appellationmountain says
September 17, 2014 at 6:58 AMOr, individualism can mean sticking to your preferred style. Even when it is dismissed by others. Just like the most unusual thing about Suri Cruise’s life isn’t her given name, the most distinctive thing about growing up Duggar isn’t sharing a first initial.
Vanessa Ball says
November 11, 2011 at 9:17 PMFor a girl I like Jerica, Juliet, Julianne, Jane and for a boy Jude, Jaron, Julian, Judson.
Marginamia says
November 11, 2011 at 7:18 PMFantastic list! You know, I guess I didn’t ever really notice just how many J names I actually love… even though we have a June! Any name that can get me to Juju is beloved. I’m forever in love with Jubal, Julian, Jasper, James, Judah, Jude, July, Jane, Juniper, June, Juno, Julep, Julia… and Jonquil? nn Quill? I think this might be a new favorite botanical name– and just when I thought I’d put my various botanical affairs behind me!
Maria says
November 11, 2011 at 5:41 PMI agree that many of the names are too similar. I’ve heard that when people name their twins very similar names, it means that they are not coping well with having twins and seeing them as two separate identities. I wonder if this would apply here. I think I’m partial to the Ju- names for number 20–Junia, Juniper, Jude, Julian, Jubilee…
Lemon says
November 11, 2011 at 5:39 PMI just remembered that at least Jim Bob often refers to Miss Joy-Anna, perhaps my favorite of the Duggars, as just Joy. So maybe I’m over-exaggerating the similarity between Joy-Anna and Johannah. But, it is still there…
dreadedjaws says
November 11, 2011 at 4:14 PMTwenty is on the way, eh? I don’t have “real” cable anymore… the things I’m missing out on!
I believe they put the name of baby 19, or maybe it was 18 (or maybe both?), to a general family vote to choose. Yes, I am admitting to a vague recollection of an episode with the family gathered together writing on slips of paper to vote. If they did this before, they might just do it again – who knows what they’d get?!
It’s frustrating to me that some of the names are so similar (I’m referring especially to Joy-Anna and Johannah plus Joseph, Josiah and Josie). There’s plenty of distinction to be had with J names – why practically repeat them? I’m in full agreement a June or Julia or Julian or Judah or Julius would stand out as much as it is possible from that crowd of names…
liz says
November 11, 2011 at 11:41 AMHow about Michale or Michelle Jr.? Just being ornery! 😉
liz says
November 11, 2011 at 11:41 AMI meant Michael.
liz says
November 11, 2011 at 11:40 AMJemima! Did someone already say that? My baby is Gemma with a G so I always feel a little weird about it with a J. 🙂
British American says
November 11, 2011 at 3:04 PMJemima would be lovely.
Lemon says
November 11, 2011 at 12:13 AMMy favorite is absolutely Johannah Faith, although I dislike the fact that they’ve got a Joseph and a Josiah (in succession no less!) and a Josie and then a Joy-Anna and Johannah. Confusing. I’m also befuddled about how Julia has not yet been used. it’s divine!
I love so many of your suggestions, Abby. My favorites are probably Jude and June. Lovely. They’ve been going trendier with middle names (especially for girls), and if not that, they go Biblical, so I think something like Jude Benjamin would be great for a boy. For a girl? I could see anything from June Madelyn to June Stephanie to June Serenity to June Mykelti to June Elizabeth! I just don’t know!
My suggestions – Jacey (too close to Josie?), Jaden (how has it not happened yet?), Jenna (too close to Jennifer?), Jody (too close to Josie?), Joella (another Jo- name?), Joely (adorable, but too close to Josie?), Jubilee (too word-y?), or Julissa (seemingly perfect!) for a girl and Jacob (how has this not been used?), Jacoby (neat!), or Jaden (seems inevitable), Jarrett (too tough?) for a boy. Beyond my suggestions from your list, Abby, I vote Julissa Hope and Jarrett Simon.
Eva says
November 10, 2011 at 8:07 PMJune Carter Cash was such a doll. She’s one of my idols. June is my favorite J name for a girl. It’s one of those names I would use no matter how popular it got, I just love it. Such a happy and sunny name. This video of June Carter makes me laugh every time. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Arde9psKcYY It’s impossible not to fall in love with her and her name after watching this.
Rosy says
November 10, 2011 at 6:06 PMI think it’s amazing that they chose nineteen children’s worth of J names and happened to miss every single J name I like– Julia, Jessamine, Juliet, Josephine, Jane, Junia, Juniper, Jasper, Joaquin, Julian, and Julius. The only one of their kids’ names I legitimately like is James, and I certainly do not have very high hopes for number 20’s appellation.
Catherine says
November 11, 2011 at 2:17 AMsame!! I LOVE Julia(na), Juliet(te), Juniper, Jasper and Josephine!
And I’m sorry but Jinger and Jorja BOTH make me cringe.
Catherine says
November 11, 2011 at 2:17 AMoh and Jessamine! Love me my quirky British names
racheli says
November 10, 2011 at 10:43 PMI hope they go with June. It means youth. Perfect for hopefully there final baby!
Elizabeth W. says
November 10, 2011 at 5:16 PMJareth was my first crush 😀
(As a consequence, I can never ever name my child after him — especially in anticipation of the “It’s not fair!” phase…)
KO says
November 10, 2011 at 5:03 PMI vote for Joachim!
C in DC says
November 10, 2011 at 3:00 PMI’m one who’s not keen on most J names. But I have to comment that I love Quill as a possible name.
Kristine says
November 10, 2011 at 2:22 PMI don’t know why, but I feel like none of the kids’ first and middle names really flow together. And I’m surprised they have a Joseph, Josiah, and Josie before a Julie or Julian, or even Jacob. Since they went with a Josie, they should have gone with the full version, Josephine. As for suggestions, for a girl, I like the name Juliana, but they have several girl with an -ana ending (Joy-Anna and Johanna, plus Josh’s wife Anna). For boys, Joel is a strong, biblical name they haven’t used.
Awkward Turtle says
November 10, 2011 at 1:36 PMI remember trying to rename their children, using only J names and as many of their family names as I could hunt down on Wikipedia. Would anyone be interested in that?
appellationmountain says
November 10, 2011 at 9:39 PMYES! Will you post it? I’d be so curious to see!
Awkward Turtle says
November 11, 2011 at 1:46 PMI feel proud of this like only a name nerd can.When I ran out of family names, I used virtues or names that were SOOO common they had to be in their family tree somewhere. :p
James Robert (Tripp, 3rd James in a row)
(John Michael (Jack)
(Jane Tamsin (Jennie)
Juliet Mary (Jules)
Josephine Quinn (Posey)
Joy Deanna (JD)
Joseph Garrett (Joss)
Jacob Octavius (Cub)
Junia Grace (Junie)
(Judah Ruark (Jude)
(Jonah Thomas (Joe)
Jeremy William (Jem)
Jethro Charles (Jethro)
Jasper Edward (Jasper)
Jessica Ethel (Jessa)
Janette Hope (Etta)
Joanne Faith (Annie)
Jillian Charity (Jacey)
appellationmountain says
November 11, 2011 at 2:44 PMGENIUS!
Charlotte Vera says
November 11, 2011 at 5:47 PMOh, excellent! I particularly like Junia Grace and Jethro Charles. Jasper Edward’s great too, barring the Twilight connections.
Awkward Turtle says
November 12, 2011 at 3:19 PMThanks! I quite like Jethro too and I didn’t even notice the Twilight connection with Jasper Edward. I think that new baby in my own Duggar list will either be Jessamine Mercy (Sam/Minnie) or Jonathan Henry (Nate).
Julie says
November 10, 2011 at 12:10 PMJefferson: They don’t have a “Jeff” yet and Jefferson feels like a good fit with Jackson.
Though The Jefferson Bible probably scandalizes the Duggars’…
Jairus: Uncommon Biblical name, but sound-wise it’s very on trend. Plus, Jairus is a New Testament figure from one of Jesus’ miracles so it’s seems very Duggar-friendly.
Junia: Another uncommon new testament name. Unfortunately, Junia’s gender and her apostleship are subjects of considerable debate. The Duggars’ denomination probably discounts her validity. 🙁
Jewel: As you mentioned they don’t have Ju- name yet. For some reason Jewel feels more their “style than Juliet.
I was going to mention Jacintha, until I realized they already have a Jason… not that has stopped them before.
I’m betting they go for Jewel or Judah.
Awkward Turtle says
November 13, 2011 at 7:12 AMI think you’re right about the Jewel/Juliet style thing.
Helena Butters (@HelenaMarie) says
November 10, 2011 at 11:56 AMI love Jemma! I’m also surprised they never did Julie/Julia/Juliet.
Poor Jinger. It’s pronounced like “ginger” (yes, I watch the show) but I hear people call her “jing-er” when they read the list of names every time a new baby is announced.
Zeffy says
November 10, 2011 at 11:37 AMJessamy is lovely, shame it’s not Jessa’s full name. Don’t they tend to go for names that have religious connections? I think they’ll go for that again, unless they get out voted by their 19 children :/
liz says
November 10, 2011 at 10:42 AMJanine!
Josie Brooklyn seems very au courant. Maybe they will do Jasper or Juno….
Also I am always surprised to see how long it took them to use Jennifer!
Julie says
November 10, 2011 at 11:43 AMI love Janine! It’s such a underrated name.
C in DC says
November 10, 2011 at 2:58 PMI love Janine too.
KatieB says
November 10, 2011 at 10:19 AMJames, Juliann(e), Jude and Josephine nn Joey are my favorite J names. It kinda sucks that they wasted James in the middle name spot.
As to the Johnathan/John-David thing…my great-great-great-great-great-great grandfather (no joke 🙂 ) was named Johannes, two of his sons were named John and Johnathan :). If the Duggers can have a Joy-Anna and a Johannah nn Hannie then they can have a John-David and a Johnathan nn Nathan or even Nate.
KatieB says
November 10, 2011 at 10:20 AMJust thought of another girl name they could use along the same lines as Jinger….Jorja!
liz says
November 10, 2011 at 10:41 AM😉
C in DC says
November 10, 2011 at 2:57 PMJorja is the Portuguese spelling of Georgia. George becomes Jorge.
appellationmountain says
November 10, 2011 at 9:40 PMI kind of love the idea of Jorja for them. On the one hand, it does feel forced – they clearly aren’t nodding to a specific heritage with the J spelling. But it is a legit spelling. Jinger, well … I’m usually happy to defend variant spellings, but this one? Not so much.
liz says
November 11, 2011 at 11:39 AMGood to know, thanks C in DC!
SkyeRhyly says
November 10, 2011 at 10:08 AMI really like Jude and Judah, both very stylish J names. I also Jordy, Jethro, Jamie, Jace and July. I really hate Jonathan though, so utterly boring imo.
For girls Juliet and Jacqueline will always be two of my favorites. Jonquil sounds a bit masculine to me, even the nickname Quil – dunno where I’ve heard it before, but it was on a boy.
Jennifer says
November 10, 2011 at 8:16 AMJareth, I love it! The Labyrinth is one of my all time favorite movies. My friend has already claimed that for her future son. I bet she’d get a kick if her child shared a name with a Duggar baby.
Charlotte Vera says
November 10, 2011 at 8:04 AMI went through a J and K name craze as a pre-teen and that essentially killed most J and K name options for me as an adult. However, your post has reminded me that they’re not all bad — not all Jaydon and Jaxxon (and yes, I know that Jackson is a legitimate name and alternative spellings aren’t necessarily terrible, but I can’t abide Jaxxon). My favourites from your list include Julian (love!), Jude, Jareth, and Jonquil. From Dorcas’ list I favour Jael, Jabez, and Judah. However, if Jaqueline is out because it`s not biblical, then I`m pretty sure that the Duggar`s theology would nix Judith for the same reason.
I know a girl named Jeshurun. It’s an intriguingly uncommon J choice that I wouldn’t mind seeing more of. After all, if people are naming their kids Israel. . .
Catherine says
November 11, 2011 at 2:28 AMJacqueline is classy but these ARE the people who gave us Jinger and Josie (instead of Josephine)
Lauren says
November 10, 2011 at 8:03 AMI laughed out loud at the first sentence!
The Duggars aren’t my favorite people, but how many other families have 20-plus names to pick through? Of their extant clan, I like Jill, Josiah, Joy-Anna and Josie. Of your picks, I like Justine, Juliet, June and Jessamine. Jonquils are my favorite flowers, but it doesn’t feel namey to me.
Also, side note: I interned with an older black woman named Jewrusher. I guessed that it was a variant of Jerusha!
Chantillylace says
November 10, 2011 at 7:30 AMI’ve never been a fan of J names (… I take that back. When I was about 6 I named my dolls Jennifer, Jessica, Justin, and Jordan). I would, however, use the names Juliet, Jude, and Jasper. 🙂
i.heart.nerds says
November 10, 2011 at 6:36 AMI just wanted to let you know that you forgot Jeremiah Robert (twin to Jedidiah) on your list.
I think they might use Jasmine or Jacob.
appellationmountain says
November 10, 2011 at 9:27 AMI think you’re right about Jacob/Jasmine. And oh dear, poor Jeremiah!
Angela (@angelaaiea) says
November 10, 2011 at 6:21 AMI read somewhere that they are considering “Jubilee” for baby #20.