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Baby names

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

Original poster

James (Jimmy) or Patrick (Paddy)

68 replies

iffyshortlist · 27/09/2013 08:31

We're struggling with names and have been for the past 8 months! James and Patrick (but Patrick would definitely be shortened to Paddy) are our current favourites. We're not overly bothered about popularity but do want a name that will suit all stages of life. Any thoughts...?

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TooTryHard · 27/09/2013 22:06

Love Paddy. Great name.

squoosh · 27/09/2013 22:02

Patch is hot. Wink

Looks as though he's missing you!

Kikibee · 27/09/2013 21:59

Yes, I had a wonderful boyfriend called Patch, you need to widen your horizons Squoosh Grin

MrsOakenshield · 27/09/2013 21:59

Patrick is lovely, but don't shorten it - Pat or Paddy are not good (and I do think Paddy as a short doesn't work if you're not Irish).

Not keen on James or Jimmy.

I agree about names suiting all stages of life - there is a young teenage boy on our street called Arthur, and at 13 hearing his mates call him that - it just sounds a bit daft (sorry parents of Arthurs!) - lovely for a young boy or olderish man, but not great on a teenager, imho!

BunnyLebowski · 27/09/2013 21:58

Patch is horrendous! Godawful. Seriously.

squoosh · 27/09/2013 21:55

Patch would be nice...............for a teddybear!

Are people called Patch?

Kikibee · 27/09/2013 21:54

What about patch for Patrick?

SocksinBoots · 27/09/2013 21:51

Oh yeah, that's true. Didn't think about the difference between NI and Rep.

MikeOxard · 27/09/2013 21:51

Love both. Ds was nearly James but wasn't as I don't like Jamie (love Jim and jimmy though). Patrick and Paddy are fab too. X

squoosh · 27/09/2013 21:49

Well George Best is different as he was a NI George. I'm sure there are loads and loads of NI Georges, but I do think it's pretty rare in the Republic.

SocksinBoots · 27/09/2013 21:47

GEORGE BEST

Sorry for shouting, but how has he not been remembered as an Irish George Shock

Love both Jimmy and Paddy but wouldn't use Paddy as I'm not Irish.

Floggingmolly · 27/09/2013 21:44

I have a Jamie. I'd never heard of an Irish George either, had to google your two, Squoosh

GwendolineMaryLacey · 27/09/2013 21:41

Patrick/Paddy. Great name.

WinteronPluto · 27/09/2013 21:36

I like patrick.

Do they have to be southern Irish or can I say George best?

elcranko · 27/09/2013 21:35

I like James more than Patrick but Paddy more than Jimmy! Not helpful at all, sorry!

Zoe6789 · 27/09/2013 21:35

Paddy = owlfella
Patrick = little boy.
I know a few little patricks and no way would i start calling them paddy out of nowhere!
It seems like an old fasioned leap. Not as big as say chuck from charles but nowadays charles shortened to charlie. Henry never turns into harry at leadt not casually.
Richard now richie never dick.

So i think classic names stay classic and their nick names come in and out of fashion. At the moment paddy not a fadhionable nn. "Pawdie" sounds softer butthat might sound silly in england.

Bowlersarm · 27/09/2013 21:34

I love Jimmy.

I like Paddy.

But prefer James nn Jimmy. Fab name.

DramaAlpaca · 27/09/2013 21:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BunnyLebowski · 27/09/2013 21:33

Pádraig is one of the ugliest sounding names I can think of. In this instance I much prefer the anglicised version.

In my very large circle of Irish family, friends and acquaintances I have never heard of a baby George, Andrew or David.

squoosh · 27/09/2013 21:33

Oh! I've just thought of George Lee and George Hook.

squoosh · 27/09/2013 21:32

Do you? I'm struggling to remember ever meeting an Irish George.

YouHaveAGoodPoint · 27/09/2013 21:30

I love James and Patrick but am not keen on jimmy and Paddy.
I love Pat as a NN though

Zoe6789 · 27/09/2013 21:29

I know a few under six.

LoopThePoop · 27/09/2013 21:28

Pádraig would be an Irish name.
Paddy/Patrick is lovely OP, not overly irish at all IMO.

I know loads of Irish Georges'

Minty82 · 27/09/2013 21:26

Love both - I know many more little Jameses than Patricks so would probably have a slightly more enthusiastic reaction to news of a little Patrick as it's that bit less used (in England). But both great names. Sorry, totally unhelpful!

I think the comment on needing to be Irish referred to Paddy as a nickname rather than Patrick itself - but I have two or three adult English friends who've always been known as Paddy; don't see it as an issue at all.

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