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Baby names

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

Original poster

Does this name sound too 'sing-song'?

38 replies

M2bClaire3003 · 08/09/2014 17:33

We have literally trawled through hundreds of name websites and are struggling to agree on a name for our son due in a few weeks. We both like James but think its a bit over-used (don't want to use the word 'common'!). We also like Harry but I'm worried it sounds a bit sing-song with our surname which is Kelly...any thoughts on this? I'm trying to think of how it will sound in a playground/ school bearing in mind how cruel kids can be....

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cheeseandpineapple · 09/09/2014 18:25

Sorry Hari Kari!

cheeseandpineapple · 09/09/2014 18:25

Really, Hari Kelly didn't cross your mind? First thing that came across to me too!

James Kelly has a great ring to it and I hardly know any James' now.

Original poster
M2bClaire3003 · 09/09/2014 18:22

Thanks everyone for the input

In terms of popularity, I suppose it depends on where you live. Here (south of Ireland) there are definitely more children called James than Harry

As for Hari Kari, that never occurred to either of us and now its in my head so back to the drawing board for us....

OP posts:
Guin1 · 09/09/2014 16:48

I have a surname ending in y too and DH refused any name choice that ended in y as 'sounding odd', although I didn't agree with him. Having said that, I do agree with pp that Harry Kelly sounds a bit like Hari Kari, plus Harry is more popular than James.

BlueStarsAtNight · 09/09/2014 12:52

I don't like the flow of Harry Kelly, I think James Kelly is way nicer

mathanxiety · 09/09/2014 04:53

I would use Henry with Harry as a NN.

I like them both with Kelly, and I like James/Jimmy and Jim too.

TryingNotToLaugh · 08/09/2014 18:41

Hmmm, it's a bit like Hari Kari.

James is better

Beardlover · 08/09/2014 18:37

James Kelly sounds better

TongueBiter · 08/09/2014 18:28

I think James Kelly sounds better than Harry Kelly.

WaffleWiffle · 08/09/2014 18:26

I know a James who uses the nickname Jimmy - which I think is super cool and def not overused.

florascotia · 08/09/2014 18:18

OP - both names sound very nice to me.
IF the statistics matter, here they are:

Harry = no 3
James = no 9
Henry = no 18

source: www.ons.gov.uk/ons/publications/re-reference-tables.html?edition=tcm%3A77-318125

MagratsHair · 08/09/2014 17:57

There aren't too many James around, none in DS2's year one class and one in DS1's year five class.

Harry is more popular than James IMO and both are fine and even with middle names starting with a vowel the worst you can get is Jok, as in jockstrap I suppose.

Either are good, I like the flow of Harry Kelly Smile

Sophronia · 08/09/2014 17:45

Harry is more popular than James, so if you're worried about popularity I wouldn't use Harry.

Otherwise I think Harry Kelly is fine.