So we are pretty sure DS #2 is going to be Jack but ever since we announced it I've gotten a lot of questions/comments about the fact that Jack is a nickname for John. Do you think its ok to have Jack as a given first name or should we go John (which I'm not crazy about)? Also, any middle name suggestions? Thanks!
*** DS Born 2010 *** M/C Fall 2011 *** M/C Summer 2012 *** BFP 9/16/12!!!

Re: Jack as a stand alone name?
Maybe it's just me but I think Jack is a pretty dumb nickname for John. In fact John seems like a nickname to me, but for Johnathon. I think Jack is fine by itself.
Jack Ellis
Jack Samuel
Jack Thomas
Jack Finley
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I prefer Jack as a stand alone name. go for it!
Middle names: Alexander, Everett, Henry, Thomas, Ryan, Christopher
TTC#1 - 2 IVF cycles, 4 transfers, 2 miscarriages (LC age 4)
TTC#2 - a very welcome surprise without intervention (LC age 2)
I have several friends who have recently named their sons Jack as a stand alone name. I really like the name and think it is fine as a stand alone name. I've never heard Jack as being a nickname for John. I guess it's like the nn *** for Richard .... I don't get it.
possible mns:
Jack Tyler
Jack Ryan (haha, maybe I'm around too many people who read Tom Clancy, but I think it goes well together!)
Jack Austin
Jack Peter
Jack Gordon
Jack William
Jack Benjamin
Emma Kate - born 10.16.03 @ 29 weeks, weighed 1lb 13oz and 13.5" long.
TTC #3
Jack is a perfectly good stand-alone name!
Personally, I've always thought nicknaming "Jack" for John is stupid. I've never understood it - they are each one-syllable, four-letter, start-with-J names. Just completely pointless and ridiculous - if you love one (and by themselves, they are each fabulous names!), go with it. It ranks right up there with Henry-Hank, Margaret-Peggy, Sarah-Sally. But John-Jack takes the cake since the only thing they have in common is one letter.
I think if Jack were going to be a nickname for any name it would be Jackson.
I like Jack as a stand-alone name. I never understood why Jack was a nn for John and always thought John was a nn itself.
Just because there's a history of it, doesn't make it any less ridiculous. I've known the history for years - I still think it's a stupid nickname for being so similar.
For those who don't know, John in medieval times (in German) was Jankin or Jackin, which is wear the origins supposedly started. So basically Jack is the nickname of the German John and not the English John.
+1
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~ Auntie to L: 2013 and Peanut: EDD 11/2014 ~
Jack is often a nn for John, but can also be a standalone name. It wasn't common in past generations, but in the last decade, Jack has certainly become a legitimate standalone name.
If it's what you like, do it and ignore the opinions.
I would use John NN Jack.
ETA: And I'm cringing to know that so many people don't know that Jack is a NN for John... we have some serious problems with our education system if people are this clueless about recent presidents.
Here's another vote for Jack as a standalone name.
I think you need a 2 or 3 syllable name for the MN, to balance out the short first name.
This
This!
Personally, I prefer it as a nickname for John. That being said, it is fine stand alone too.
ETA: The idea that John is a nickname for Jonathan is really odd. John has historically been MUCH more common than Jonathan (which wasn't used regularly until the 1970s. John was one of the most popular men's names from the 1800s on).
Married 6/28/03
Kate ~ 7/3/09 *** Connor ~ 11/11/10
4 miscarriages: 2007, 2009, 2013, 2014
*~*~*~*~*
No more TTC for us. We are done, and at peace, as a family of 4.
"Suffering has been stronger than all other teaching, and has taught me to understand what your heart used to be. I have been bent and broken, but – I hope – into a better shape.” — Charles Dickens