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Baby names

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

Original poster

Gabriel or James

66 replies

Dontwaketheneighbours · 13/07/2017 15:08

I like Gabriel, my husband loves James. I really like James but there seem to be so many of them about. My 2 other boys are Jude and Finlay and I think Gabriel goes better with them. Any thoughts?

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Lemondrop99 · 14/07/2017 17:20

Gabriel will almost certainly get shortened. Most James I know go by James rather than a shortened version. If you don't like the short versions, James is a better choice.

James Gabriel sounds lovely

ScarletSienna · 14/07/2017 16:56

Gabriel. Yes it is rising in popularity but nowhere near to how popular James is. I also like James but not as much and I think goes better as a middle name given one of your sons is Jude. I don't think Gabriel sounds feminine at all.

I really love the name Jude!

grufallosfriend · 14/07/2017 14:51

The problem with same initials is when the same gender siblings share the same initials. Eg post addressed to Mr J Smith or debit/credit cards being in the same name Mr J Smith.

This can be avoided by giving your sons different initials. So I'd choose Gabriel

grufallosfriend · 14/07/2017 14:48

I know a Gabriel who gets called his full name. It's lovely and easy to say.

NameChange30 · 14/07/2017 10:43

I love the name James but I think it's too similar too Jude (same initial and both have one syllable).

Turquoise Exactly!

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 14/07/2017 10:40

I think if you don't like shortened names James is the best option, being one syllable, Gabriel much easier to become Gabe,

Original poster
Dontwaketheneighbours · 14/07/2017 10:37

Thanks all - still completely torn. Although I dislike the nicknames for both James and Gabriel. I'll be one of those annoying mothers who constantly corrects people who shorten his name Grin

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butterflycatcher · 14/07/2017 10:06

James

Wilhelminaaa · 13/07/2017 21:29

Gabriel. Never met one, know loads of men and boys called James.

TurquoiseOwl · 13/07/2017 20:50

@CPtart - yes, he is his own person, so shouldn't need to share post. We always have to open each other's and we have middle names.

CPtart · 13/07/2017 20:47

His sibling names are irrelevant. He's a person in his own right.
I much prefer James. The Gabriels I know get Gabe. It also sounds a bit effeminate to me.

WaitrosePigeon · 13/07/2017 20:30

James is Zzzzzz

Love Gabriel.

TheMasterNotMargarita · 13/07/2017 20:29

Gabriel makes me think of rugged cowboy types for some reason.

TurquoiseOwl · 13/07/2017 20:27

Why are girls' names never described as 'wet'? Confused

MadameJosephine · 13/07/2017 20:11

I am biased because I have one but I much prefer James

SuperBeagle · 13/07/2017 20:07

James

I have a strong dislike of the name Gabriel. It sounds wet.

Topseyt · 13/07/2017 20:04

James for me. Maybe James Gabriel, but I definitely lean towards James.

villainousbroodmare · 13/07/2017 19:40

I also don't think it is especially important that names go together. Just that they are not awfully similar or radically different in type. James or Gabriel will not be accompanied by his siblings all that much in his life.

villainousbroodmare · 13/07/2017 19:37

I find Gabriel very feminine (do like the name Gabrielle though) and dislike Gabe, Gabs, Gay etc as shortenings. I love James and also really like Jim and Jamie.

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 13/07/2017 19:30

Gabriel is also becoming very popular
If that bothers you

TurquoiseOwl · 13/07/2017 18:39

Well, I wouldn't want 2 and not the other. Also, I have the same initial as my sister - we always have to open each other's post.

HollywoodStunt · 13/07/2017 18:38

Why are some people pedantic enough to not want two children with the same initial, what difference does it make as long as you like the names? Don't understand the problem

photographyaddict · 13/07/2017 18:28

James Gabriel sounds lovely!

Lemondrop99 · 13/07/2017 18:23

James

Original poster
Dontwaketheneighbours · 13/07/2017 18:02

Thanks everyone, he will definitely either be Gabriel James or James Gabriel. I'll have to work on the hubby 😉

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