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Original poster

The final 4: Jack, Alfred, Harry or Hugo?

62 replies

cheesebubble · 15/04/2021 06:01

I'm nearly 37 weeks pregnant and we've finally nailed it down to 4 names:

  • Jack
  • Alfred (husband likes Alfie)
  • Hugo (we won't be naming him Hugh)
  • Harry (I prefer Henry but no from husband)

I'm German so the names have to work in both languages. Big bro is Louis, pronounced Louie.

What are your thoughts mumsnet? X

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SkankingMopoke · 03/05/2021 17:18

I really like Jack - timeless and it has no negative connections for me, but as PPs have said it's incredibly popular. My DCs' tiny primary school has quite a few. As a result they are all known as Jack A/B/C etc. This would be a minor annoyance for me, but worse than that is when they get unfortunate additions to tell them apart. One of my DCs class has 2 of another very popular name, and they go by nice-name and naughty-name. I don't know where is started, but it's stuck and is now used by both classmates and parents to differentiate (behind their backs, obviously). This would really upset me if it was my child even though it's completely true , and whilst there is no guarantee your DC won't have a name twin in their class, it's much higher with a name like Jack. And I agree with the PP about adult nicknames. I work in construction, and the nicknames to tell the Daves apart can be quite horrid and are most definitely used to their face.

My favourite of your list is Hugo, followed by Alfred.

Abracadabra12345 · 03/05/2021 16:14

@Blackcountrychik

I have a teenager called Jack and I still love his name ! Considering it was the number 1 boys name for ages I have only ever met a handful . It’s a name that suits both a boy and a man . On this basis I say Jack .
I’ve only known two Jacks, one at the preschool where I work, the other in my (now adult) son’s school. Both were lovely, kind and capable boys and I agree about it suiting a boy or a man.

I like all the names by the way!

Bluesername · 03/05/2021 15:55

Hugo is the best, it's more individual but not unheard of.

Jack was the number 1 boys name for years. Harry and Alfie have also been popular for ages.

Theoldwoman · 03/05/2021 15:10

Without a single doubt, it's Harry for me.

Edenember · 03/05/2021 12:31

I think Hugo goes best.

PlumpAndDeliciousFatcat · 03/05/2021 12:29

Who has been mean?

I once saw a MNer comment that if the OP used the very popular name she was considering then she might as well name her son ‘Boy’. That was mean.

HelenHywater · 03/05/2021 11:59

God people are so mean about "safe" names here. Although all the mumsnetters may be calling their boys Crispin or Zeus, irl there is a reason why those names are popular- they're lovely!

I'd go for Hugo myself. Louis and Hugo are lovely together. I've only ever met 2 Jacks from among my dcs friends and they are both lovely boys too (aged 18 and 13 now).

wanderedlonelyasacloud · 03/05/2021 11:53

My order of preference would be:
Jack
Harry
Hugo

I'm not keen on Alfred

Ellmau · 03/05/2021 11:50

I love Hugo.

Ginandplatonic · 03/05/2021 10:25

Love Hugo (and Louis!)

ShonkyCat · 03/05/2021 10:20

Can your German relatives pronounce Jack properly? In my experience it's likely to end up being pronounced "Jäck" or even "Schäck".

blueleonburger · 03/05/2021 08:37

Love the name Hugo. Go for it!

TatianaBis · 16/04/2021 15:29

Hugo

schnubbins · 16/04/2021 15:24

Jack .I love that name!

mamablondie33 · 16/04/2021 15:07

Hugo is the best! Lovely name!

ZoyaTheDestroyer · 16/04/2021 14:51

As I said, and based specifically on the ONS’s lovely data visualisation tools - moderately popular at the beginning of the 20th century, then fairly rare until the explosion of popularity in the 90s.

The final 4: Jack, Alfred, Harry or Hugo?
IamnotwhouthinkIam · 16/04/2021 13:42

Jack and Harry aren’t classic, but John and Henry are

I prefer John and Henry myself - but OP isn't considering John and Henry. I disagree Jack and Harry aren't classic - if you look at the ONS statistics Jack and Harry have stayed in the top 100 as given names (not just as John and Henry) pretty consistantly since the 1900's - they just happen to have been in a surge of popularity since the early 90's. But there are still plenty of older Jacks and Harry's about (unlike Alfred and Hugo they are more likely to span the generations if OP cares about that).

cassrose · 16/04/2021 05:29

I love Hugo and Louis! Sounds so cute. Alfie is cute too. Harry and Jack are a little bland. But really you can't go wrong.

ZoyaTheDestroyer · 15/04/2021 21:03

Jack and Harry aren’t classic, but John and Henry are. Jack was moderately popular at the beginning of the 20th century but then was fairly rare until it absolutely exploded in popularity in the mid-90s. It is really hard to express just how popular Jack has been since the turn of the century to anyone who hasn’t worked with children in that time.

When I started at university there were so many Davids / Daves that they were all given nicknames. Many were unflattering. At my current workplace there are so many men called Mark that they go by their surnames or their initials. Jack will be the next example of this over the next forty years or so.

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 15/04/2021 19:49

I'd choose classic Jack. Harry is also classic but I'm not sure about the same ending sound with Louie. Alfred is gorgeous but nn Alfie is too trendy imo. Ditto Hugo is having a "moment" so is not my taste.

Rhythmisadancer · 15/04/2021 14:52

Hugo is good. Thumbs up

KillerFlamingo · 15/04/2021 14:41

Sorry, I couldn't resist! Grin

Original poster
cheesebubble · 15/04/2021 13:12

@KillerFlamingo @Violetlavenders I had to google lol I was not aware of this 🤣

The final 4: Jack, Alfred, Harry or Hugo?
OP posts:
SunflowerOwl · 15/04/2021 12:28

I adore Jack. A good strong name that sounds good on a toddler and an old man. Its popular because its lovely!

Violetlavenders · 15/04/2021 12:25

Louie, Hughie and Dewie Grin

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