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Baby names

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

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!

OP posts:
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Loopytiles · 22/05/2019 07:43

Much prefer Benjamin to Arthur or Sid. Arthur old fashioned, dislike shortenings “Art” and “Artie”, and Sid makes me think of snakes for some reason!

Hoggytat · 22/05/2019 07:39

I do like Sid as a name and as you can see from this thread a lot of younger people won't know who he is.

Hoggytat · 22/05/2019 07:38

Sid James' laugh.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=gVrm6Qc6neM

Bicnod · 22/05/2019 07:37

Arthur James is really lovely. I know quite a few little Arthurs - I don't think it sounds old man ish.

MyNewBearTotoro · 22/05/2019 07:36

I really love Arthur and Arthur James goes well together.

I’m in my 30s and I’ve never heard of Sid James. I can’t imagine it will be a major issue for your son as none of his peers are going to be watching the carry on films.

Seth is a good name. I think it’s a ridiculous idea not to use it on the offchance your DC has a lisp. That would surely go for any name with an S. By that logic you should also pick a short name in case your child has dyslexia or dyspraxia and struggles to write it, choose a name that works well in every language in case he ever travels abroad, choose a unisex name in case he ends up hating his gender, choose a unique name in case he hates ending up in a class with another but not too unique in case he hates having to tell people how to spell it. You can’t choose a name to cover every possible outcome so just focus on choosing a name you and DP both love.

GinUnicorn · 22/05/2019 07:35

I like Arthur. If it feels a bit old could her be Artie as a nickname for a bit?

Stickmangate · 22/05/2019 07:32

Barbara Windsor is a British actress who appeared in the Carry On syndicate of comedy films from the 70s)!). She was also Peggy Mitchell from Eastenders. Google carry on camping.

Sid James was a British actor who also appeared in the Carry on films.

Davespecifico · 22/05/2019 07:31

It’s fine.

tomtom1999xx · 22/05/2019 07:29

Now I know I’m too old for Mumsnet, no one knows who Sid James is ShockGrin

Op: I love Arthur James, plus all your other choices. Smile

Strugglingtodomybest · 22/05/2019 07:27

Google "carry on films", "sid james" and "barbara windsor" if you're confused.

Proseccofuelled · 22/05/2019 07:23

Barbara ? Carry on films? I am so confused by what’s going on here Grin

BendydickCuminsnatch · 22/05/2019 07:16

Still no idea what’s wrong with Sid James (and what’s the Prince Harry/Barbara thing?!?! Confused)

I’d go Benjamin James personally!

AdoreTheBeach · 22/05/2019 07:08

I think it is a fabulous combination. My grandad was John Arthur Patrick and my dad is James. They’re great guys so have only positive connotations with Arthur James

Congratulations.

Stiffasaboard · 22/05/2019 06:57

Sid is great
Six James won’t matter as how often do we write out our full names including the middle one?
Or give him an extra middle one and have James as the third name?

I don’t like Arthur- it reminds me of the weird anteater child cartoon! Just feels ploddy and dull and I imagine it being said in a really deep slow voice

How about
Dan
Robbie
Zach
Elias
Dominic
Gus
Joseph

BridgetDarcy · 22/05/2019 06:52

I love Seth - reminds me of the very beautiful and talented Seth Avett. There are lots of names that would be affected by a possible lisp / speech impediment, but I wouldn’t make that a decider.
Reuben was on my shortlist but got crazy popular. Plus one of the neighbour’s cats is called Reuben. 😆
My husband knows a Reuben that shortened to Ben, so this may be worth considering. Benjamin is nice and I like Benji as a shortened option.
I am not a fan of Arthur - v common and along the old people trend of the last few years. It’s not offensive though and Art is nice.

Calixtine · 22/05/2019 06:42

I like Arthur, Benjamin, Louis and Thomas best from your lists.

Never heard of Sid James, but I don’t like Sid — sorry!

How about:

Stanley
Sebastian
Samuel
Miles
Nathaniel
Joseph
Robin
Elliot

Fulltimemummy85 · 22/05/2019 06:23

I live Seth, not fond on Arthur but thats personal choice and for no good reason. I probably wouldn't do Sid James but most people here didn't see the connection, so it may be ok.

Original poster
wineandcatsandlego · 21/05/2019 23:51

Good call PP about the Seth/lisp thing, hadn't thought of that. To those saying Arthur is a bit too old fashioned I think that's where my uncertainty is coming from, as I'm really not a fan of the faddy 'old man' names that are currently popular (Alberts, Winstons, Wilfs etc). Seth I imagine as both a cool American teenager, or the old guy with muttonchops from Emmerdale Grin.

Maybe the whole Sid James thing wouldn't be so bad after all if there are so many who don't associate it with the Carry On actor! James Arthur is a big no no as unfortunately I can't stand the singer, and Benjamin James I do like but DH pointed out the initials would spell 'BJ', and now once pointed out I can't unsee Blush.

Thanks for your opinions guys, this is a topic I daren't bring up in real life as I'm desperately trying not to let loved ones' opinions influence us too much (despite being scared of my mum's reaction!!)

OP posts:
DramaAlpaca · 21/05/2019 23:50

Sid James? Haha, that's the name of the actor with the filthy laugh in the Carry On films Grin I wouldn't do that to a child.

Arthur James is lovely.

AlunWynsKnee · 21/05/2019 23:16

Are people really too young to remember the Carry Ons?
I quite like Arthur James though.

Boffing · 21/05/2019 23:12

It's a lovely name. Go with what your heart tells you.

JasperTheFriendlyGhost · 21/05/2019 23:10

Hmmm, didn’t think i’d like it but the more i think of it the more i like.

TildaTurnip · 21/05/2019 23:09

*James not Janes Grin

TildaTurnip · 21/05/2019 23:09

Definitely don’t go for Janes Arthur like the singer.

Baskerville · 21/05/2019 23:08

If I really liked Sid, I’d change his middle name and use it. Whether or not your mother likes it is irrelevant, surely?

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