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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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MadameDePompom · 06/02/2016 19:40

And all the Jimmys (Jimmies?) I know are James on the birth cert.

BendydickCuminsnatch · 06/02/2016 19:39

You can control what his name is shortened to. DS is Joseph on his bc but has been Jos since the minute he was born and introduced to everyone as such.
Having said that I tend to advise people to register their children as whatever they will be known as, just don't follow my own advice Grin
I know a few grown up Jims! James on their bcs I think.
FWIW I think Margo and Jimmy sound awesome together!

MadameDePompom · 06/02/2016 19:39

I know a few adults called Jimmy so I have no problem seeing it on a man. But..........I'd definitely put James on the birth cert. That way you still get what you want, to call him Jimmy day to day and your husband gets what he wants, a 'sensible' name just in case your son might prefer that when he's older.

You don't need to say to people 'This is James but we're going to call him Jimmy. Just tell people 'Jimmy has arrived'.

daisydalrymple · 06/02/2016 19:38

I know a Jimmy who's in his 40s, no idea if he's a James, he's always been Jimmy, it suits him and I really don't think its held him back in any way!

I do know a James who was called Jimmy as a baby, now in his 20s, always James.

I think if you want to call your son Jimmy, name him that. But, you do both need to agree of course Grin

StitchesInTime · 06/02/2016 19:36

I would use James on the birth certificate and Jimmy as a nickname.

I do know a few adults who go by Jimmy, so I don't think it's unsuitable for an adult, but the Jimmys I know all have James as their "formal" birth certificate name.

I also know a few adults who went by Jamie / Jimmy when younger but insist on being James now.

aurorie11 · 06/02/2016 19:32

Know someone called Jimmy who was born in 70s, had to use Jim as an adult as he couldn't really use James. I'd go with James

Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost · 06/02/2016 19:31

James on BC. Jimmy as NN

ChessieFL · 06/02/2016 19:28

I agree with your DH, put James on birth cert then call him Jimmy if you want. James will look better on CVs and job applications etc when your DS is older.