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Baby names

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

Original poster

Jimmy or James?

33 replies

Georgia3Rom · 06/02/2016 19:26

I adore the name Jimmy and I think it goes wonderfully with DD's name Margo but DH thinks it's more of a nickname and that it wouldn't suit an adult male , he wants to compromise by naming him James and then using Jimmy as nn but I'm not keen on the idea, I know I can't really control what his nn will be and with James it's more likely to be Jamie then Jimmy, so I just want opinions, not on if you like James better but if Jimmy is suitable for an adult.

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HolsW · 10/02/2016 05:54

James, but that's just because I prefer it. If you prefer Jimmy, use it! He probably won't be called Jimmy, if you put James on the BC + I don't understand the whole 'name your child something different to what they'll be called'! :)

Bisghetti · 09/02/2016 01:26

Good plan to have James on bc, Jimmy as nickname. Works for whatever profession he pursues and is a super nickname too. Also, re going well with your daughter's name, remember that for the vast majority of his life he won't live with or really be paired with her as he'll have his own life and friends, so it's only really a consideration for a pretty small part of his overall life.

Canyouforgiveher · 09/02/2016 01:16

James on BC. Jimmy as NN

James is a great name as are nearly all of its nicknames-jamie, jim, jimmy, jam, jameser, etc. Great name.

ConesOfDunshire · 09/02/2016 01:09

I agree with your DH.

villainousbroodmare · 07/02/2016 20:14

James on BC for sure. I like both names, and know a few adult Jimmys, but I think that "ie" or "y" endings to names can sometimes sound informal, childish or cutesy and I also think it's good to leave his options open. If you introduce him as Jimmy, everyone will call him that.

Sophronia · 07/02/2016 20:06

James nn Jimmy

pilates · 07/02/2016 19:51

James on the birth certificate and call him Jimmy.

Narp · 07/02/2016 19:49

I agree - James

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 07/02/2016 08:46

Great decision, OP, perfect for you and your dh. I don't know any children called Jimmy so could be refreshingly unusual although not unknown and simple so great criteria ticked. I know a couple of adult Jimmys/Jims.

Stoneagemum · 07/02/2016 00:48

I know two James by birth certificate, one known as Jimi James, the other by Jimo. Jimi James submitted his CV to my company recently as James Surname.

DoorbellsSleighbellsSchnitzel · 07/02/2016 00:40

James on the certificate. If you want him to be known as Jimmy then call him Jimmy... Others will follow suit.

Original poster
Georgia3Rom · 07/02/2016 00:38

I suppose it's better to give him a choice, I shall have to compromise and put James on the BC and introduce him to everyone as Jimmy, DH shall certainly be happy

OP posts:
eachtigertires · 07/02/2016 00:34

I know someone my age (mid 20s) called Jim. His real name is James but he's only ever been known as Jim or Jim-Bob.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 07/02/2016 00:23

I love Jimmy, but I would definitely put James on his birth certificate.

redmini4 · 06/02/2016 23:54

Personally I prefer James but I am biased as it is a family name

FlatOnTheHill · 06/02/2016 21:51

I think James on birth cert.

TooMuchCheesecake · 06/02/2016 21:40

DH is a Jimmy (he's 30). James on birth certificate, and all his family called him James as a child (and still do now). But at secondary school his friends called him Jimmy and it has stuck. He introduces himself to people as Jimmy and that's what everyone knows him as.
So I see the name Jimmy as a grown mans name. And it's nice for him to have the choice of James/Jimmy when he's older.

mrsschu · 06/02/2016 21:37

James is better, gives him options when he's older. I would think that Jimmy is a more common nn for James than Jamie. I've usually heard Jamie used on its own.

PooDogMillionaire · 06/02/2016 21:18

I agree with your DH

Sofiria · 06/02/2016 21:14

I know several! All are James on the birth certificate and were called Jimmy as children. Only one is still Jimmy as an adult, the others switched to Jim or James.

I don't think Jimmy is entirely unsuitable for an adult but it's a nickname and I do think it's better for him to have the choice.

museumum · 06/02/2016 21:10

All the adults I know called jim or Jimmy are actually James.

Jamie though I seem to think of more as its own name and None of the James I know are ever called Jamie.

CoodleMoodle · 06/02/2016 21:10

My DH is a James. He gets called Jimmy/Jim or Jam. Or J. The only person to call him Jamies was his Nan, so I wouldn't worry about that!

Definitely James on BC.

EnriqueTheRingBearingLizard · 06/02/2016 21:05

If it were me I'd name him Jimi, like Jimi Hendrix, whose name was Johnny really.

I know an adult Jimmy and it really suits him, but it's a favourite of mine as it was my father's name, although he was James.

tinofbiscuits · 06/02/2016 20:40

I think it would be good to have James as an option, so James on the BC and Jimmy as nickname.

Penfold007 · 06/02/2016 19:42

James on the birth certificate. Call him Jamie, Jim or Jimmy or whatever you want.

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