The trending baby name with a very different meaning in Scotland

It’s unlikely to ever be a popular choice for parents north of the border (Credits: Getty Images)

While unique baby names are all the rage right now, expectant parents may want to think twice about this one — at least if they ever plan on visiting Scotland.

Data shows the popularity of the name Jobie has gradually increased in recent years, and in the last week alone, Nameberry has seen a 1000% spike in interest.

According to the site, it’s a gender-neutral name of Hebrew origin, which ‘has an informal, warm quality that’s becoming increasingly appreciated.’

In certain parts of the UK however, the moniker is considered ‘distinctive’ for all the wrong reasons.

Scottish TikTok went into overdrive earlier this week, after a mum in the US shared she’d called her newborn son Jobie.

Although commenters from across the pond described it as ‘cute’, ‘adorable’ and lovely’, others were quick to point out its similarity to the Scots slang word for poo.

‘Are you actually kidding me on?’ said @leila_1579 in response. ‘That’s what we call s***s.’

‘How unfortunate!’ wrote another, while a third added: ‘In Scotland that kid ain’t gonna have a fun time.’

The Dictionary of the Scots Language definition states that the words jobby, jobbie, or jobie can refer to ‘a lump of excrement’ or be used as ‘contemptuous term for a person’.

Although users from England and elsewhere claimed the name is pronounced differently (joe-bee instead of job-ee) it did little to convince some, including @thelauralife2.0 who explained: ‘That’s how you would say it in Glasgow.’

Anyone called Jobie who lives halfway across the world – with no connection to Scotland or desire to see the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond – will probably grow up none the wiser to this double meaning.

The controversy on social media does highlight one thing though: it’s important to research a name before you commit, just in case there’s a connotation you’d rather avoid.

Pippa, for example, means masturbation in Italian, while Suri translates to ‘died’ in Estonian and Bill sounds like bil, the Dutch word for buttocks.

And given countless adults with names like Dick, Fanny and Randy have managed to get through life unscathed, there’s hope for us all regardless.

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