View Message

Joe is the kind of name that feels a bit generic, but also calls to mind the kind of guy who is reliable, friendly, smart (book smart and/or common-sense smart) and unpretentious.
I don't really like the name Joseph that much so if I wanted to call a son Joe he'd probably be Josiah.

One of my aunts married a Joseph who was always known as Joe. He was a very successful businessman and one of the nicest and funniest people I've ever met. He had a heart condition and died young, before I even started school, but I still remember being at someone's wedding reception when I was a very small child: Uncle Joe and I had lots of fun chasing each other round a huge potted fern on a stand. He was good with kids, and I'd use Joseph, nn Joe, for a son without hesitation in his memory.

It's ok as a nn only

It sounds like a nickname for names starting with Jo-. It's fine.

It's very plain and feels too short - possibly because it comes from names that sound better and are well-respected in their own rights. As a NN, it makes sense but lacks individuality. I prefer Joey because it is cuter, has a bit more of a personality, or Jo because its androgynous.

In my mind, Joe's probably as basic as it gets, but I don't hate it as a nickname. Personally, if I was called Joseph, I would just go by Joseph.