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Baby names

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Original poster

Honest thoughts on Arthur James please

58 replies

wineandcatsandlego · 21/05/2019 22:12

Just that really!
33 weeks pregnant with a little boy, literally the only name me and DH have agreed on since we found out is Arthur (not named for them, but our deceased grandfathers share the name so a nice family link) but there's a teeny part of me that's now leaning away from it and I can't think why.
The only other name I love is Benjamin, DH isn't 100% keen, but the only other suggestion I can get out of him is Louis but I'm really not a fan! So can I have your honest thoughts on Arthur please? James is non negotiable as his middle name 😁.

Just to throw a curveball in there, we both absolutely love Sid as a name (I'd give my back teeth to pick this for our boy, but the look of horror on my mum's face has scarred me for life Grin) also Sid James "surname" won't work for obvious reasons!

Other names I like if it helps
Matthew
Benjamin
Thomas
Seth
Daniel
Reuben

Thanks for your input!

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MissEliza · 22/05/2019 15:47

I think Arthur James is lovely although I'd probably put it the other way round. I'm just wondering what his nickname will be. Art?
I wouldn't worry too much about a name potentially becoming more popular. You can't predict it. I chose ds1's name because I'd never come across it in five years of teaching then as soon as we named him, it seemed every second baby boy was being given that name!

Scotstar · 22/05/2019 12:49

I'd be slightly concerned about the initials for Benjamin James. Might not matter though.

Arthur James is lovely. My son is Andrew James. Some people call him AJ which I'm not a huge fan of but could be an option if you are particularly 'cool'

Original poster
wineandcatsandlego · 22/05/2019 12:42

I think I'll have a sit down with DH tonight and go through it all again!

I know what you mean about Arthur becoming quite popular as I believe it's now nearing top 10 on baby name lists? However luckily where we live I've only ever met one toddler Arthur, the most common names for boys round here seem to be Teddy (just Teddys, not short for Theodore or Edward), Harry, Jackson/Jaxon, Jayden/Brayden/Kayden/ - ayden sounding, or Noah. All gleaned from friends, Facebook, local baby groups I'm on, and my nephews' classes at school. So a mixed bag, but luckily no large influxes of baby Arthurs just yet! I just wish I hadn't thought too much into it and just stuck with it after me and DH both fell in love with it Smile

OP posts:
outsho · 22/05/2019 12:24

Best friend is Benjamin James, everyone mocked him and called him BJ once we knew what one was in school... not a great idea imo.

Arthur James just makes me think of the singer James Arthur and Sid James is in the Carry On films.

MauveTulips · 22/05/2019 09:28

Also don’t be influenced by your mum, she may feel completely differently when he’s born. Names are so personal, she may just have known a Sid she didn’t like, you’ll never find the perfect name to please the whole family!

MauveTulips · 22/05/2019 09:26

Really wouldn’t worry about Sid James, it might only matter if James was your surname. I had no idea about the link and I imagine his generation won’t have a clue.
If you prefer it to Arthur then use it. I’d agree that Arthur is getting really popular and seems like an ‘on trend’ name & if you don’t like the nicknames then that could be a problem as you gave little influence over it as they get older. Benjamin is lovely & classic imo.

Justkeeprollingalong · 22/05/2019 08:42

Please call him Sidney and use Sid. We called our daughter by a full name but always used the obvious nickname. She changed to the full name when she was in her late 20s when she changed jobs. It's all about choices. Everyone will assume he's Sidney anyway. It's a great name. (I know who Sid James is but I don't think it is an issue.)

SinkGirl · 22/05/2019 08:33

Could you not use James as his first name?

Original poster
wineandcatsandlego · 22/05/2019 08:33

Thanks again everyone, I bloody love this site as I can waffle and (mostly) you help me work out what I mean!

Good call on pointing out the nickname issue whoever you were, not something I'd really thought of. Benjamin is lovely as a Ben or Benji, Arthur unfortunately I dislike shortened to Artie or Art (despite loving Simon and Garfunkle!), and Sid we would only want as plain old Sid, 100 % not Sidney, which I think is what a lot would assume.
Bloody minefield naming these kids eh Grin

OP posts:
SinkGirl · 22/05/2019 08:33

How can anyone in their 30s not know who Sid James is?! Misses point

My first thought was of James Arthur, I’m afraid

DovePetal · 22/05/2019 08:28

I’m 30s and know who Sid James is! Perhaps this is a class thing, he was a naughty/ cheeky British icon but more for us lower orders Grin

SaltedCaramelEverything · 22/05/2019 08:23

I love the name Arthur James! I think Arthur is a traditional “old mans” name as you called it, a bit like Harry that will stay around for a long time (I think) I like names like Ralph that I think are “old mans” trend names that will seem like a fad.

Benjamin is nice but he will be Ben by friends I’m sure - fine if you like it though, you just hadn’t mentioned nicknames

Singlenotsingle · 22/05/2019 08:17

Nice but better the other way round, James Arthur.

Proseccofuelled · 22/05/2019 08:15

I’m 34 so not exactly young but didn’t have the foggiest what was going on here - & nope never heard of this Sid dude or watched any carry ons Grin

Proseccofuelled · 22/05/2019 08:14

oooooh thank you so much for explaining the Barbara thing I thought I was losing my mind trying to keep up Grin

RuskBaby · 22/05/2019 08:12

Like it but super popular here so now not one I would use.

teapleasethanks · 22/05/2019 08:03

Nobody ever says anyone's full name. In fact I hardly ever know anyone's second name. He will be just Sid if you go for Sid :) which I think is a great name!

Don't worry about your Relatives, can't please everyone.

Also I didn't get the reference!

Amicompletelyinsane · 22/05/2019 07:58

I think Arthur James is a lovely classic traditional name with loads of room for nicknames as the child goes through life. Also love Benjamin, hubby wouldn't let me use that name either

NaughtToThreeSadOnions · 22/05/2019 07:54

This thread makes me feel old....

It makes me feel old and i'm only 38, i was going to go have none of you heard of Sid James.

And when someone didnt understand Barbara winsor who untill what 4/5 years ago was in eastenders (and no i dont watch enders havent for years but still)

I find it funny that some ones suggested james arthur too as i came on to say there migjt be some confusion with james arthur

TillyTheTiger · 22/05/2019 07:53

Arthur was top of our list until we started bumping into toddler Arthurs everywhere we go, there seem to be dozens round here! It's a lovely name though.

EvilHerbivore · 22/05/2019 07:49

I'm 30 and knew who Sid James was....

jacqui5366 · 22/05/2019 07:48

Its a fabulous name !! I would pick it for DS3

FloatingthroughSpace · 22/05/2019 07:48

This thread makes me feel old....

Sid James was an innuendo-filled comedy actor with a famous dirty laugh who was in the Carry On films.

If Prince Harry had called his baby Barbara she would be Barbara Windsor which is also a Carry On actress better known as Peggy Mitchell from EastEnders.

Surely, OP, he'd be Sidney not just Sid? It is a trendy old man name, as is Arthur, but that's ok, it will just date. I'd compromise and go for Sidney Arthur James.....

HelpAFattieOutHere · 22/05/2019 07:48

I have an Arthur. It's not an uncommon name (we know 3 others of a similar age through baby groups) but it always seems to go down well as a "proper" name, whatever that means!

If I ever had a second boy, James would be my first choice name.

Therefore, I approve!

Ilovewillow · 22/05/2019 07:43

Arthur James is lovely! I have a Seth and he's 5 and I like to think cool rather than emerdale!