How popular is James?

[SqueezyB]

After hearing all the so-called different/original names at every toddler group I go to, I'm now being drawn towards really simple traditional names particularly if it's a boy.

We like James, NN Jimmy, and I've not met another one DD's age. Is it still quite a popular name? I noticed it is in the top 10, I guess just maybe not round here where every other boy is Milo/Arlo/Hector etc! But I remember there were 5 Jameses in my class at secondary school, which is putting me off.

I'm also really liking Samuel, what do you think? Any other suggestions for more traditional names that aren't too overused?

[JamesAndTheGiantBanana]

Imo, Sam and James have about the same level of popularity. I have a James and we come across the odd one at playgroup but there aren't loads of them.

[duvetqueen]

I haven't met any young James's either but we have lots of 'original' names here as well.

Saying that I hadn't met any boys with ds's name til he was a few months old and now I've heard it lots.

Samuel and James are both lovely names imo. How about Michael, Johnathen or Timmothy/Tim.

[lindsayloo]

I have a Jimmy who's 4 (not a James) and don't know of any other James at his playgroup or daughter's toddler group. Sure they are around but it's certainly not a popular name here (gloucestershire)
Lindsay

[JollyPirate]

I have a James and he's 7 - the only James in his year at school. It's popular but doesn't seem too widespread.

[Rindercella]

Love Samuel.

I know loads of little boys called James - all around DD's age (2.6 yrs). We're in Oxfordshire and I know at least half a dozen in the groups we go to. I also know several in London.

[annasophia]

In 2008 alone there were 5,168 boys born that were named James - now, I count that as very popular!

Certainaly lots of them in Surrey..

[MrsJohnDeere]

I know 2 aged 6, one aged 17, but none of pre-school/baby age.

[babyincubator]

I love, love, love the name James - I'd choose it myself but my brother is a James and my nephew's middle name is James.
It nicknames to so many different abbreviations - Jimmy, J, Bob, Jim, Jamie, Jaloo...

[Bucharest]

There are gazillions of little Sams and not so many little James, I think.

It's a perfect name to me. Classy, timeless, elegant, unfaddy....

I only know one, he's about 9 now. Loads of Sams.

Only thing I wouldn't do, is go the Jimmy route. No need to tamper with James.

[AutumnLady]

It's a lovely name - I have one
He is 16 months old and there is only one other in his nursery but the other one is a pre-schooler.

He also doesn't have a nickname relating to his name as James is just fine as it is with no messing

[Smerch]

I know 3 boys called James but they're all in DD1 and DD2's classes, they're 11 and 8, don't know any of DT'S (4) age or any baby James'.

Lovely name, it's been shortlisted for all of mine.

Sam also lovely. I have a Sam, only know 1, he's 7.

Can I throw another name in? John. I think it's beautifully simple. Not wacky but the youngest one I know is in his 20's!

Also like Matthew, Mark and Michael, amongst others.

[MissusRabbit]

I'd go for 'Samuel James'....but agree both are lovely, classic boy/men names......may not set the world on fire but i like more 'sensible' names for boys...

[colie]

I love James but do worry it is too popular. At the moment I am in Merseyside and havent come across any in my eldest two's age ranges, who are 7 and 4.

I am thinking of James and tampering with it to Jimmy.

[SqueezyB]

Thanks everyone, that's put my mind at rest - I obviously don't expect him to go through life never meeting another James, but I don't want him in a class full of kids with the same name either! And we would probably shorten to Jimmy anyway.

Hmmm, the other suggestions are all good, but we can't use them for various reasons - close friends with the name etc. More suggestions welcome!

[SE13Mummy]

There are three in my daughter's Reception class and we know another 3 of the same age (5). That said, I wouldn't worry about a classic name such as James being popular in a year group whereas I'd think it bizarre if there were 4 or 5 children in a class all named River/something equally unusual.

[MarianneD]

I think James is a really lovely traditional name. Although it's reasonably popular it's not a faddy name so it won't date. Also regarded as the most successful first name for men
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/7312412.stm
I am a bit biased though as I have one!