Mumsnet Talk

Yes, I know, it is hideously popular, but I can't help it. It was the only boys name I've liked for ages. THEN, husband's sister fell pregnant again while we were still trying and guess what name she used for her son - Jack . Now every time I hear his name I feel a pang of regret that my baby won't be Jack. It's so cute and yet strong too. I'd feel bad using the name now even though MIL & FIL said go ahead (& SIL copied it from her friend anyway) so need something similar instead.

It really is hideously popular/overused/crap/rubbish/boring anyway isn't it? (unashamedly lies to self...)

Now we're left with either Harry, Charlie or Joshua (DH likes Joshua/Josh but we've met a few of our own age group so it feels a bit odd to me).

FM xx

For what its worth I've never taken to the name Jack for some reason.

However I do work in a nursery and Joshua/Josh, Harry and Charlie seem to be the most popular names in our area along with Archie and Oscar.

All very nice (much nicer than Jack )

Could you use Jack as a middle name?

Would you consider Jake if you want something similar sounding. Always think that sounds cool- or Jacob (nn Jake).

Harry, Charlie and Joshua are also hideously popular / overused / crap / rubbish and boring. (OK, just hideously popular then!)

I do sympathise actually, because I adored the name Jack back in the 80s before it got popular again. Then it exploded in popularity, and it just lost all that cool-boy appeal for me. I ended up with an Isaac, thinking we could nickname him Zac (we never have done though). Luke? Jock? Mack?

Middle name is going to be 'James' after his papa! My silver lining is that MIL gave hubby such a lovely timeless name which goes with lots of names

SOOOOOO common, think Jacks (toilet)
Jake is a nicer version or even James or Jacob,

Sorry can't help you I've got a jack and hes cute as a button How about Jackson or Johnathon?

Jake (with Jacob on BC) was on the list but I kept thinking it sounds too surfy/American rather than classically British? It probably is the closest to Jack though isn't it?

I shouldn't gloat but...was glad to hear that SIL herself went off the name after she chose it - she was out one day not long after birth and was shocked when the high street reverberated with 'Jack' & consequently she wanted to change it then [smirks to self, serves her right for gazumping me teehee!].

I.know a Jack whos brother is Sam which I love.

It really annoys me that people try and dissuade someone based on how popular a name is - it is popular for a reason, and percentage wise isnt even prolific - the.number one boys name last year was given to less than 1% of all boys born in 2012. So you would need to know 100 other boys born in exactly tge same year to statistically meet another one with the same name.

Definitely too popular- it's number one! How about Joseph or Jeremy/jerome?

If you want to go off it a bit, you could always consciously call to mind what it means to jack off. Or is that a hit mean towards DNeph?

I really hate the name Jack, it's like you can't be bothered to choose a name so just say that will do. Just Jack.

Has that helped?!

Yes, hubby has reminded me of the unfortunate: Jack off, Jack shit, Jack the ripper, Jack of all trades master of none. In the end he's just said oh just bloody have Jack if there really is NOTHING else you like! Spoilt brat, moi? Noooooo!

SO overused, you may as well call a boy "Boy" for all the impact it has.

Shame, because I do/did think it's a nice name, but it's been ruined by overuse.

I have a 12yo jack. Its a fab name. I have only ever met one other jack.

Not popular here at all.

<unhelpful sorry>

Oh go vwith Joseph as PP said - it's gorgeous and I have never, ever met one in my entire life. Which is weird, because I seem to remember rejecting it because it was too popular... [facepalms]

There are SO many Jacks round here that it has become a little bit like being called 'Boy'. In our Scout group there are even two Jacks who share the same surname!!

Harry, Charlie and Joshua aren't excactly underused either....!

"Now we're left with either Harry, Charlie or Joshua (DH likes Joshua/Josh but we've met a few of our own age group so it feels a bit odd to me)."

Why? What about the thousands of other lovely boys names that exist? Have a look at the ONS lists of ALL boys names used last year - loads of great names beyond the top 250 or so!

Joshua James (JJ) is lovely.

What about John James known as JJ still very cute and John is the proper name for Jack so when you fall out with your family, you can still call him Jack?

spooky January!!

George is a nice alternative. It's a strong name like Jack.

We have a Jack and don't know any others his age or close in age. All boys here are Finley, Oliver, Harry or Noah. It's not no. 1 nowplaying

You could choose a name that has Jack as a nn?? Or Zachary?

I think the fact sil has used it would put me off though once families start extending you can't help but get repeats. There are a GAZILLION Matthews in my family now everyone is married, had children etc