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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Jack?

38 replies

BarbieLovesKen · 14/02/2011 22:15

Its much too popular, isnt it?

As many of you will know, I've actually embarrasingly got myself in quite a state over lack of a boy's name that we feel anything but a vague liking for. I am now terribly, terribly ashamed to admit Im slightly hoping this one will be a girl purely because of the name issue - otherwise I would be over the moon with another little boy (or girl, I just wouldnt care). I almost feel like Ill let a boy down by giving him a sub standard name thats not good enough for him - I know that sounds really stupid.

I have trawled through a ridiculous amount of books, sites and suggestions from mnetters and nothing really sparks any interest. I feel like we've considered a billion names.

A girl will be Kate Anne Elizabeth.

We have an Oisín which is a name we adore, the only other boys name that comes remotely near this, for us is Jack. I brushed off considering using it after reading on her how popular it is, seeing the stats and by peoples comments about how common it is in RL.

Funny though, dd tells me there are none in her school. First hand, I know two - one is 67, the other is 18. There are none in our (extended) family (and we have 7 boys under 5).

That said, out of 4 in my office, one has a nephew Jack and one has a son Jack,(both approx age 6) also very recently, a colleague (from a different department) has given birth to a Jack (I actually think this was the one that made me think theres no way I could consider it).

Also, cant get it out of my head - when I was pregnant with ds, I mentioned to someone that I was considering Jack for a boy and got an awful response, with a screwed up face and lecture about how popular it was/is. (that said, he had just moved to Ireland from London - where Im sure this name is more common)

Pah! once again Im really rambling on. Sorry.

I love this name. I think its beautiful, simple and classic. I can see a Jack. It suits my other 2 dc's names. That said, I think Ill be slightly embarrased to use it as it appears to be so common and this popularity is really turning me off.

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Original poster
BarbieLovesKen · 15/02/2011 12:52

Any one else??

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Original poster
BarbieLovesKen · 14/02/2011 23:05

I love hearing about those who have Jacks and dont care about popularity. I agree too that there is a valid reason why its so popular.

I think Im too easily led to be honest. Pre mumsnet I wouldnt have actually been aware about this popularity (or thought that it matters)

sheep..

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Original poster
BarbieLovesKen · 14/02/2011 23:03

Thanks a million for your replies Smile (and thank you for not telling me to cop myself on and stop being so ridiculous!! Smile)

AnnOminous, you are too kind, Your probably right about this one being a girl. We have considered Darragh, as its lovely but its very, very ordinary where I am and funnily enough, I know way more Darraghs than Jacks...

OP posts:
BramblyHedge · 14/02/2011 22:57

I have a Jack and chose it because I love it and didn't care how popular it was. I don't actually know any other Jacks at the moment though I am sure it will change over the years.

AnnOnimous · 14/02/2011 22:44

Wracking my brain for you ... Garret or Seamus?

reddaisy · 14/02/2011 22:36

Jack is a classic. It would be an excellent choice. Would you consider Jackson as a way to make it a bit different?

Jajas · 14/02/2011 22:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

cece · 14/02/2011 22:34

whoops
lovely
pockets

AnnOnimous · 14/02/2011 22:33

Just had a wee look at 100 top Irish boys' names - Dara or Lorcan are really nice, not too out there, but not too ordinary, and sound fab with Oisin. Donal is another fab Irish boy's name.

PS after all this worrying, baby is almost certainly a girl, and you will laugh about this in a few months time.

And if he is a boy, you will have a lovely name that suits him perfectly, as if from nowhere.

cece · 14/02/2011 22:33

It is popular for a reason. It is lvoely. TBH it seems to be in little pickets. You either know loads or hardly any ime. Yes there are a few around but I know loads more Olivers and Charlies.

How about Jonny/Johnny?

AnnOnimous · 14/02/2011 22:31

I love Jack .... on its own, variation of John, short for Jackson (just to be a little bit different).

Given you have an Oisin, is their a Gaelic version of Jack you could use?

peeriebear · 14/02/2011 22:23

I do know a good few child-sized Jacks and Jakes, but also an adult Jack (birth name John, called Jack from day one to distinguish him from John, Snr.) He is witty, Oxbridge smart, well travelled, and even handsome too. So every Jack makes the name his own :)

CoffeeGoneColdAgain · 14/02/2011 22:18

My Ds (10) is a Jack! When he started nursery there were 3 of them! Now only 2 in his year (6).
I love his name, can't imagine him being anything else!