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Baby names

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

Original poster

Jack for a boy?

65 replies

mony29 · 06/12/2021 13:39

Hi all
First time posting.
Due a baby boy in a couple of months & thinking of calling him Jack. We're not onboard with the new name trends and don't like names that are out there. Want a simple and classic name but not too popular at the moment.
We both love jack however my best friend says it's not a very nice name and very outdated. Is it?
We like jack Alexander / Jack Sebastian or Jack William

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dingit · 06/12/2021 16:43

I have a Jack who is lovely, but for the first 5 years thought he was called Nojack. Wink

Arethechildreninbedyet · 06/12/2021 16:40

I think Jack is a stunning name.

Classical, timeless and far less popular than it used to be! Ignore your friend.

I think any go well but my favourite is Jack William.

margotsdevil · 06/12/2021 16:39

It's massively popular which doesn't sound like what you're after...

magicstars · 06/12/2021 15:30

It's sweet, but it is very popular.

ErrolTheDragon · 06/12/2021 15:24

... and I'd guess there's a difference between 'trendy' names that go in and out of fashion, and those which are more classic which just fluctuate but never go away.

ErrolTheDragon · 06/12/2021 15:22

@CherryRedDMs

I would suggest you read the Freakonomics chapter on baby names before giving a name that has been very popular for a while.
Why? Do you want to précis it?
pumpkinfan · 06/12/2021 15:01

Jack is timeless. Go for it. You're never going to find a name everyone likes anyway but Jack is probably pretty close.

CherryRedDMs · 06/12/2021 14:51

I would suggest you read the Freakonomics chapter on baby names before giving a name that has been very popular for a while.

WarriorN · 06/12/2021 14:49

Jack is lovely, but as a teacher, there are looooaads of Jacks!

If you're happy with that, that's fine. :)

Original poster
mony29 · 06/12/2021 14:49

Ah wow thanks everyone! We'll definitely stick to the plan and call him jack 🥰

OP posts:
StrychnineInTheSandwiches · 06/12/2021 14:47

Nothing wrong with Jack. It's a good solid name and all the Jacks I know are very nice.

ThreeWiseBuddhas · 06/12/2021 14:44

I have a Jack Joseph... everyone calls him JJ

MyComputerGetsSadWithoutMe · 06/12/2021 14:41

It's a lovely name :)

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 06/12/2021 14:33

Its certainly popular but it's also classic so it won't date. Although I don't like it personally I do recognise its a good strong name.

WhenSepEnds · 06/12/2021 14:24

@mony29

Hi all First time posting. Due a baby boy in a couple of months & thinking of calling him Jack. We're not onboard with the new name trends and don't like names that are out there. Want a simple and classic name but not too popular at the moment. We both love jack however my best friend says it's not a very nice name and very outdated. Is it? We like jack Alexander / Jack Sebastian or Jack William
Jack is lovely and I think it's a name that's still nice as boys/ men age whereas some names can seem strange for an older person IMO, bu to think Jack is a good pick. Good luck with the baby
goodgollygosh23 · 06/12/2021 14:18

It's a lovely name and never ages. As pp said it works as well for an old man as it does for a new baby. I would much rather use a good solid name like that than a 'trendy' name that will age badly in a few years.

It is popular but that's because it's a classic - the same as William, James, George and so on.

Go for it and ignore your silly friend!

Tal45 · 06/12/2021 14:18

I think it's perfect, especially with Alexander.

Fetchthevet · 06/12/2021 14:17

I love the name Jack. Ignore your friend and go with it.

RubertRoo · 06/12/2021 14:17

Jack is very popular. In DDs nursery there are 2 Jack's, a Jaxon, Jaxson, Jaxxon, and 2 Jackson's.
I think Jack is seeming more popular due to the popularity of Jackson and all the various spellings of it!
But it is a very classic name and being so popular can only mean its a nice name!

SirSamuelVimes · 06/12/2021 14:16

It's a mildly naughty boys name, not a mega naughty boys name, in my experience. I like Jack, it's a good solid name, not too trendy and out there. Names like Wilfred, Albert / Bert / Bertie, Amos, Chester etc will date, quite badly I think.

I think the only issue for me is that it is still very popular so it might be you end up with a few in a class, and he'll always be Jack M, for example.

ErrolTheDragon · 06/12/2021 14:12

@TheWayTheLightFalls

It’s absolutely fine. I think Jack is a short form for another name if you’re on the fence, but it’s lovely. I know a little one year old Jack.
It used to be the nickname for John. I had an Uncle John who was called Jack as a boy. He turned out to be both a doctor and an ordained minister so clearly a bad lad.Grin Does John get used at all nowadays? It seems to be all Jack, Jon, Jonathan instead. (Not saying the op should use it just musing!)
mushforbrain · 06/12/2021 14:12

I’ve got a Jack. I think it’s a classic, lovely name. I knew how popular it was when I was pg but still chose it, because I liked it. That simple. So, do you like it? If you do, choose it.
Ps have never heard about Jacks being naughty! Mine’s an angel Wink

RavenclawsRoar · 06/12/2021 14:11

I like it! I'm a teacher and don't think of it as a "naughty boy" name at all.

Wormsarecool · 06/12/2021 14:09

A really lovely name. I work with children and all of the Jacks I’ve known have been really lovely boys.

changingstages · 06/12/2021 14:09

It's a nice name - very, very popular so he'll probably not be the only one in his class (DD has four in her class!) but if that doesn't bother you then you should go for it!

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