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Baby names

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

Original poster

Classic boys names - Alex or James?

65 replies

Anonymouslyposting · 14/01/2023 15:34

We are due to have a baby boy next week and we are so stuck on names. Current top two are James and Alexander (would be called Alex) but while I like both names I don’t love them - William and Thomas (would be Tom) are also possibilities. We would have gone with George but it’s my nephew’s name.

Any ideas? We had a list of about 10 names we loved with DD but for some reason boys names seem much harder!

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MalagaNights · 14/01/2023 20:37

I love James and Thomas. But not shortened.
Thomas is such a gorgeous name for a little boy.

I like Alexander a lot but not so keen on Alex.

ZenNudist · 14/01/2023 20:33

Alexander. I have one. Such a great name.

HaggisWurst · 14/01/2023 20:30

My two are Alexander and James 😅 we also liked Frederick, Nicholas and Christopher.

Tiredmum100 · 14/01/2023 20:11

I think Tom is a classic 👍

yellowbeam · 14/01/2023 20:11

James

Awrite · 14/01/2023 20:04

Much prefer Alex.

lifeturnsonadime · 14/01/2023 20:02

Alex or Joseph , both great names, James is a bit meh.

Original poster
Anonymouslyposting · 14/01/2023 19:59

Thanks everyone - some great suggestions! I also like Jack and Oscar so will add them to the list (if DH lets me).

I think we’ll just see what he looks like and hopefully he’ll immediately seem like one of the names fits - the name we chose for DD was not at the top of the list but it just suited her when she actually made her appearance.

I’ll update when he’s here!

OP posts:
georgelass · 14/01/2023 19:42

My James is NEVER a Jamie, but is often a Jim (only by DH and I). He's James to everyone else. Thomas is never a Tom at home, though he is at school. He says he doesn't mind either name at school but prefers Thomas at home.

James tells me that he loves his full name. DH wanted Jack for him, I wanted Joseph. He recently ranked all three names. Joseph was at the bottom, and James was his top one.

CharitySchmarity · 14/01/2023 19:38

I like all four of your top choices almost equally, but I think James has the slight edge. I'd call him James as his everyday name too, although I don't dislike Jamie.

georgelass · 14/01/2023 19:37

Well, I have a Thomas George and a James Alexander. So clearly, I think your name choices are excellent.

On my list (but vetoed by DH) were Oscar, Isaac, Joseph, Luke, Lucas, and Christopher.

Mezmer · 14/01/2023 19:32

There are too many James’! Let’s have an Alex.

missb10 · 14/01/2023 19:29

Why not Alex James, like the Blur bassist?

cptartapp · 14/01/2023 19:26

James Alexander.

LordSugarTits · 14/01/2023 19:10

James.

TidyDancer · 14/01/2023 18:56

Alexander is the best one by a mile imo. Alex is also a much nicer 'nickname' than Jamie/Jimmy/etc.

red4321 · 14/01/2023 18:52

Also considered John (known as Jack) or Joseph?

I don't get this. If you want him to be called Jack, call him that, not John. Just a lifetime of explaining.

Three members of my family are called by their middle names, which is another scenario that creates stupidly confusing phone calls.

RosieRainbow1986 · 14/01/2023 18:51

James is a fab name!

gingerhamster · 14/01/2023 18:43

Alex James for the win

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 14/01/2023 18:34

Alexander, James and George are my nephews!

I prefer Alexander/Alex, and will suggest my 4th nephew's name, Peter.

TheNewlmprovedMrsMadEvans · 14/01/2023 18:33

James is lovely

midsomermurderess · 14/01/2023 18:30

I like Alexander. What about Alistair for something a bit different?

LegoGoldenDragon · 14/01/2023 18:06

Alex. Never been much of a James fan.

Thomas / Tom is great. I like William, but not Wlill. Love pp's suggestion of Robert.

Namechangedatheist · 14/01/2023 18:02

My two are called Alex and James - so OP you have absolutely excellent taste 😁.

emmathedilemma · 14/01/2023 17:58

Alexander James