Nicknames and the name James

Mrs.M&M

DH and I have been pretty set on the name James but then someone pointed out that people will probably call him Jim.  While I'm fine with a cutesy "y" ending nickname when they're little like Jamesy, I'm not okay with other people taking it upon themselves to alter the name since all nicknames for James are alterations, not just shortening the name and I really dislike Jim, Jimmy, and Jamie.

Am I being crazy?  What are the chances of people using a nickname for James if we do not start it ourselves?  I was under the impression more that people will only take it upon themselves to shorten a name, not change it.  Like me for example, my name is Marianna and most people call me Mari (pronounced Mary).  I get shortening names, but I really likes the name James as it is and since there is really nothing to shorten it to thought it was nickname proof.  We have another name we can use and be very happy with, but I was curious what you all think about this. 

ArcadianDreams

I think you are going to have a battle because the nicknames for James are just so common. And the thing is, you can correct the adults, but sooner or later the other kids will probably give him a nickname and you can't do much about it if the kid likes it. I don't think it's a good idea to pick a name if you aren't okay with what he might be called.

LenMont

ArcadianDreams:

I think you are going to have a battle because the nicknames for James are just so common. And the thing is, you can correct the adults, but sooner or later the other kids will probably give him a nickname and you can't do much about it if the kid likes it. I don't think it's a good idea to pick a name if you aren't okay with what he might be called.

 

I agree with the bold 100%. However, my bf's dh is named James and I've NEVER heard anyone call him anything else.

daenikoffre

I have a friend named James. We have never ever called him Jim. My SO's name is Andrew. no one has ever called him Andy or Drew. They each work[ed] with another James and Andrew. So, James went by Jim, and Andrew went by "Andrew M". So, get ready for your kid to have to be a James __ or "Jim" once they enter a group, class, or workplace with another James. 

I have to say, though.. It is by far my favorite very-popular boys name.  

plunderb

Honestly, I don't think anyone under age 60 would assume that a James goes by Jim. It's just not a very modern-sounding nickname. Most of the little Jameses I know go by James or Jamie. I love nn Jem for James, but haven't heard it on a little boy recently.

There's always a chance that his high school buddies will call him Jimbo or Jimmer or J-man, and if you think you can live with that, I'd say it's worth the chance that some elderly person will mistakenly call him Jim.

miababy

plunderb:

Honestly, I don't think anyone under age 60 would assume that a James goes by Jim. It's just not a very modern-sounding nickname. Most of the little Jameses I know go by James or Jamie. I love nn Jem for James, but haven't heard it on a little boy recently.

There's always a chance that his high school buddies will call him Jimbo or Jimmer or J-man, and if you think you can live with that, I'd say it's worth the chance that some elderly person will mistakenly call him Jim.

I agree with this.  All the little James I know just go by James.  I've never met a little Jim or even Jimmy! 

aubreyan

We know a man named James and he only goes by James...I think it is totally reasonable.  We have a Jackson and whenever people call him Jack, I just correct them politely- it has never been an issue.

Allie30

NO-nickname Jameses are pretty common, and it's not like forcing someone to call your child all 4 syllables of Elizabeth. James is short. They can handle it.

shannm

I think if you are consistent, then James will stick.  You may have to correct a person here or there but no one will continue to use it once it is clear that he prefers James.  

My nephew is James.  He is a third.  My brother and father are Jim/Jimmie/Jimbo.  When my nephew came along, his mother was set on calling him James.  Some people in the family have tried to call him Jimmie and he doesn't answer (he is three) because he thinks his name is James.  (I tried to convince her to call him Jay but was unsuccessful.) 

austenreader85

I can tell you this:  We named DS Theodore and have always and only called him Teddy.  It actually takes a second for me to respond when we're at the pedi and they call him by Theodore.  We have letters on his wall that spell out "Teddy."  And yet we have family that calls him Theo.  And one aunt that calls him Teddy Bob.  FIL has called him Little Dougie (DH's and FIL's name is Doug- FIL wanted a III) a few times. 

You really can't make the whole world go by one nickname if there are multiple options.  Heck, even President Dwight D. Eisenhower was allegedly named so to avoid all nicknames and ended up with Ike anyway (what I've always heard, could be urban legend).

Excitedtostart

I know 2 James and they go by James. I;ve never heard of either one of them being called Jim. I love the name. 

Ishaba11

My uncle's name was James but he went by Jamie.

 

Also now that i think of it I also know a James who just goes by Jay. 

ant8355

Unfortunately I agree with whoever said people will call him something else and i think it totally sucks!! I love the name James and my grandpa's name is James so I really want to use it but we decided to use it as a middle name instead. I can deal with Jamie but HATE Jim and Jimmy. However, my gpa is now 90 years old and nobody, not even his friends, classmates, army buddies, or older relatives I've met over the years, have ever called him anything other than James. So, although there will always be those people who try to call your kid something else I think most people are respectful and will call him/her what you want them to (people who matter anyway). If you really really love it, i say use it and just be prepared to correct people.

ant8355