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Baby names

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

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Original poster

James - timeless?

105 replies

NearlyThere91 · 16/04/2025 10:49

I'm unsure if it's timeless or a bit... uninspired? I'm nearly 40 and know so many Jameses, but unsure if there are many little ones called James.

Husband loves the name.

OP posts:

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ThisWOMANWontWheesht · 23/04/2025 17:51

James is a fantastic, handsome timeless name… for a boy that is!

It’s horrific and cruel for a girl.

DuckieDodgyHedgyPiggy · 23/04/2025 15:38

Emanwenym · 20/04/2025 21:51

Eleanor or Susanna might suit him.

Noooo! Never heard of the Johnny Cash song A Boy Named Sue?

Everyone thinking of giving their boy a girl's name should listen to it.

Emanwenym · 23/04/2025 11:28

What happened to the thread yesterday where the OP wanted to give her son a girl's name?

Giving my son a 'girl' name | Mumsnet

I didn't read it as the OP started the thread, but didn't come back.

PyrannosaurusRex · 23/04/2025 11:14

Calling a girl James means that for her entire life the first interaction she'll have with most people will be a conversation about her parents, and why they thought it would be a tremendous idea to give her a boy's name.

Emanwenym · 23/04/2025 07:34

It's awful for a girl. Might as well call her 'Wantedaboy'.

48mumof6 · 23/04/2025 04:04

love it for a girl!

Lionsmaine · 22/04/2025 10:25

I find James incredibly dull, but there is nothing wrong with it if you like it.

Limeandbasil90 · 22/04/2025 10:21

James is really lovely

DuckieDodgyHedgyPiggy · 22/04/2025 10:10

boysmuminherts · 16/04/2025 11:10

Classic name. My 14 year old has a friend James and I know a couple of primary aged James's. Not overly popular I'd say but no-one's going to get it wrong.

Apart from people who meet the above-mentioned Jaymz: "No, it's J-A-Y..."

Veggielepsy · 22/04/2025 10:08

NewMe2024 · 22/04/2025 00:15

Jack is a nickname for James, no?

Show quote history

Jim is a nn for James, Jack for John

Pemba · 22/04/2025 10:01

NewMe2024 · 22/04/2025 00:15

Jack is a nickname for James, no?

Show quote history

No, traditionally Jack is 'short' for John.

Emanwenym · 22/04/2025 09:25

In theory, but usually a 'nn' for John.

NewMe2024 · 22/04/2025 00:15

Sunsweetsandandicecream · 22/04/2025 00:12

Lots of little James' in my dc's school. I think it has been popular for awhile now, after Jack which seems to have faded.

Jack is a nickname for James, no?

NewMe2024 · 22/04/2025 00:14

I like a James. I dated three or four back in the day and they were all great tbf. It’s a ubiquitous name but somehow doesn’t feel tired in the way that, say, a David or Mark does. Don’t know why! I think it’s a solid choice though. Go for an interesting middle name if you want to mix it up a bit.

Sunsweetsandandicecream · 22/04/2025 00:12

Lots of little James' in my dc's school. I think it has been popular for awhile now, after Jack which seems to have faded.

RogueFemale · 22/04/2025 00:10

Big vote for James, I love the name.

Emanwenym · 21/04/2025 11:13

@PrincessOfPreschool , Thomas is also popular. It is more popular than James, plus you get variations like Tommy, Tomas, Tomos, Tomasz.

Luke isn't popular but Luca and Lucas seem to be having a moment. Charles isn't currently popular but Charlie is in the top 20.

PrincessOfPreschool · 21/04/2025 01:26

It's a classic but fairly ubiquitous. You don't get many Davids, Johns, Lawrences, Peters, Pauls, Charles, Matthews, Marks, Lukes (more Luka/ Luca), Nicholas, Henry etc if you want classic but more unusual. Tbh, James is the only one which is so popular.

Emanwenym · 20/04/2025 21:51

Eleanor or Susanna might suit him.

KaToby · 20/04/2025 21:45

Emanwenym · 20/04/2025 21:44

If it's a boy, are you going to call him Elizabeth?

Show quote history

That’s already one of my DDs middle names so I probably can’t use it as a first name

Emanwenym · 20/04/2025 21:44

KaToby · 20/04/2025 21:39

James is one of my top names for this baby, BUT (im expecting a lot of judgement here) only if it’s a girl.

If it's a boy, are you going to call him Elizabeth?

theunbreakablecleopatrajones · 20/04/2025 21:43

KaToby · 20/04/2025 21:39

James is one of my top names for this baby, BUT (im expecting a lot of judgement here) only if it’s a girl.

No one wants a mean girl for a mummy

theunbreakablecleopatrajones · 20/04/2025 21:42

Lots of little James

It is both timeless and quite dull because it was also massively popular from 60s through the 80s

John is timeless and very underused

KaToby · 20/04/2025 21:39

James is one of my top names for this baby, BUT (im expecting a lot of judgement here) only if it’s a girl.

Waggytail · 20/04/2025 21:08

James is extremely popular in Northern Ireland. Tops the most popular names list most years and doesn't drop out of the top 3 or 5. Incidentally my son's name is James 😁 just the most perfect name for a boy.

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