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Baby Names
magpie1127
member
WDYT of James?
magpie1127
member
in Baby Names
How is James seen by the public these days? Does is sound common and boring, or handsome and classic?
For example, although I like the name, I think of Andrew/Andy as pretty boring. I think this is because Andy was a pretty common name in my generation, but James hasn't been super common for a long time - at least not where I live. It's #17 on the SSA today, so it's definitely still around, but I don't hear it very often on LO's.
I just think it sounds very handsome. It's also my dad's name. It's not something I have my heart set on, but I like it's appeal a lot. What do you guys think?
Also, I hate the nn Jim. My dad does too, and has always gone by Jamie or James, both of which I like much better than Jim. Still, he gets Jim a lot from strangers and casual acquaintances. Do you think that would be a problem in this generation? I tend to doubt it, because James seems much more in vogue these days than Jim..
Thoughts?
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Re: WDYT of James?
I like it a lot.
I would not worry about the NN Jim.
Not only is it out of fashion, people will call your son whatever you introduce him as. As an older child or an adult, he can simply correct someone that calls him Jim if he also hates the NN.
BFP 1- EDD 2/09/11 Missed MC DX @11 weeks D&C- 7/25/10 BFP 2- EDD 12/22/11 Natural MC @ 5w 2d BFP 3- EDD 1/25/12 DD Josephine born 1/16/12
Jamie is girly and weak.
Jim and Jimmy are boring.
I vote James and call him James.
I love James! I think it's definitely the kind of name that isn't limited by time (unlike names such as Mildred and Ernest that sound like "old" names or throw-backs to previous generations).
Although I've known a James with nn Jamie, I always think of Jamie as a more feminine sounding name (I've known way more girl Jamies and tend to think of them first when I hear the name). A friend of mine, who also hated the idea of being called Jim, went with the nn Jay. Perhaps a different nn will also allow your LO to be a bit more unique than his grandpa, while still sharing the same name?
This. I'm looking for something a little more unusual for a FN, because our LN is super common, but chances are high that if we have a boy, his MN will be James.
DS born at 34 weeks with (surprise!) gastroschisis turned short bowel syndrome.
131 days in the NICU, 7 trips to the OR, G-button, daily TPN....
I really like James.
Jamie is fine. Is Jem from TKAM a James? I can't quite remember...
I love James. It was my father's name. His friends from work called him Jim, but he was James to everyone else.
I hate the nn Jamie. It sounds like a girl name.
TTGP March Siggy Challenge
I like the name a lot... classic and handsome!
If you don't want him called Jim, I don't think it will be too hard to make that happen. It would be rare for an acquaintance to just decide to call him Jim without hearing him be referred to as it first. And when it does happen (of course, it could here and there), he can just correct them, and then it won't happen again.
I used to not like James, but I married into a family where it is the "family" name (it's DH's FN, his dad's FN, and his grandpa's FN, but they all go by their MN), so I've grown to love it! One day our DS will be James (but will go by his MN, as tradition dictates).
I can't imagine anyone calling a little kid Jim (maybe Jimmy?). It seems like more of a grown man in the business world type thing to do, when he's old enough to say, "Hey, don't call me that." I have been friends with a James since elementary school, and he has always been James, no NN. I do agree with PP that I associate Jamie more with girls, although I have known guys with that NN, and since that's what your dad used, that's probably more special to you. Just my two cents!
Love James! It is a family name and my DS's MN. I definitely think it can stand alone...great choice!
BFP#1 10 wk missed mc
BFP#2 DS born at 40+2 on 8/14/12 BFP#3 DD Born at 39+3 on 5/13/14
DH and I are using James as a middle name because I really love. It's my dad's name and a two of the grandfathers.
My dad went by Rusty as a kid because of his red hair, my grandpa went by Ed (his middle name) or James and my husband's grandpa went by Jim. My friend went by Jimmy, another went by James. It's just personal preference.
BFP #1 09/02/11 M/C 09/12/11 8w6days
BFP #2 07/18/12 Baby S born on his EDD 03/23/13
SS - age 12...SD - age 8...DS - 13 mos.