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Baby names

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

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.

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IMustDoMoreExercise · 20/04/2025 21:01

My friend at school always said that if she had a son she would call him. James. Unfortunately, her husband's surname was Bond so she couldn't use it.

PeggyMitchellsCameo · 20/04/2025 20:31

Love it. It’s a classic.

89redballoons · 20/04/2025 20:29

My DS1's best friend at school is Jamie (they are five), and there is also a James in his class. I know another James and a Jim, too, both under five. I also know loads of adult James and Jamies, across a whole range of ages and classes and professions.

I like it - it's so popular that it's a blank canvas, while being recognisable and customisable. James could genuinely be anyone doing anything.

I like Alexander, William, Edward, Thomas, etc for the same reason, but if James is your favourite then definitely go for it.

Emanwenym · 20/04/2025 15:57

It's a name I would choose, because it doesn't make me think of any type of person in particular.

SpringIsSpringing25 · 20/04/2025 15:38

Emanwenym · 20/04/2025 13:02

@Sadtosaythis , It's not rude, it's just an opinion.
@SpringIsSpringing25 , which names are inspiring?

I don't really know, I'm not sure any are really, but the OP asked if it was timeless or uninspiring.

Uninspiring seemed like the kindest comment to make, if one doesn't find it timeless.

If she had just asked what I thought of it, there were other descriptors I probably would have used, but as it's a name they may choose to use. I don't see the point in saying anything else other than a bit uninspiring really..

It's not name I choose, but I don't think it's dreadful either 💁🏻‍♀️

LilyJosephine · 20/04/2025 15:22

Yep James, William and Thomas are names that as long as we have had records (the 14th century I think?) have never dropped out the the Top 50 mens names in England. But others like Daniel, Joseph, Edward, Michael, David, Alexander, George etc also haven’t dropped out the Top 100 since the 1900’s at least. There are some wonderfully timeless choices for boys about- imo it’s much harder for girls names in that regard.

Emanwenym · 20/04/2025 13:56

The chart on the ONS site is fascinating. I think James is about the most timeless name around. Thomas and Charles also fared well.
In case you are in Scotland:
Babies First Names 2024 - National Records of Scotland (NRS)

Cctviswatchingme001 · 20/04/2025 13:40

Love the James. It was my Dad's name but he was known as Shay. Its my sons middle name. Love Jem or Jemmer as a nickname .

JoyousEagle · 20/04/2025 13:24

Timeless. There’s a website which shows the official lists of names registered each year. You can search by name and it shows a graph over about the last 100 years of how popular a name has been. James is one of the only ones I’ve seen (I searched a lot when pregnant) with steady popularity, no significant dips or peaks.

JustToBeMe · 20/04/2025 13:23

My dad was a James, Jim for short.
My eldest has James as his middle name, my BiLs middle name is also James.
A friend of my parents/family is called James
I, many years ago worked with a James.
Ive also been a 1-1 with a little chap called James, we also had another James in the same setting.
I work in Primary now and we’ve have 2 James's.
It’s not that uncommon and timeless imho.

DietQueen2023 · 20/04/2025 13:22

Beautiful name 😍

Veggielepsy · 20/04/2025 13:18

I think James is a beautiful name. Adapts to fit the bearer nicely, anyone from James Dean to James Brown to any of the Kings.

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 20/04/2025 13:12

Fabulous name. It would have been my top choice for our son but my husband wasn't keen so we went with another classic name.

When did people decide names had to be exciting or inspiring? I don't think many thought that way when I was a child and every other boy was John and girls were mostly Susan or Sarah or Amanda.

Emanwenym · 20/04/2025 13:02

@Sadtosaythis , It's not rude, it's just an opinion.
@SpringIsSpringing25 , which names are inspiring?

DancingDucks · 20/04/2025 11:39

I don't agree that it's dull or uninspired. I'm not sure why a name has to be 'inspired' anyway.

Makes a change from Jayden, Kayden, Kai, Casey, Riley, Bradley etc.

DancingDucks · 20/04/2025 11:35

Timeless, lovely name.

MayaPinion · 20/04/2025 11:35

It’s lovely. Classic and stylish - a name equally at home in a tent or a yacht. Quite a manly name.

BethDuttonYeHaw · 20/04/2025 11:35

Lovely classic that has stood the test of time.

SpringIsSpringing25 · 20/04/2025 11:29

Sadtosaythis · 19/04/2025 23:18

@SpringIsSpringing25 How rude!

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How is it rude to answer someone's question about your opinion with your opinion? She asked if it was timeless uninspired and I said that in my opinion it's uninspired.

That's not rude

MumQ8 · 20/04/2025 11:04

I think James is timeless, and the ones I met were wonderful people. It's a super name. Just gotta decide if you also love it like DH.

BeepBoopBop · 20/04/2025 10:33

Love the name James. He can choose to be Jim, Jamie or Jimmy too if he wishes. If you feel the need, give him an ‘out there’ middle name.

LilyJosephine · 20/04/2025 10:00

Roundaboot · 19/04/2025 22:04

I gave my son a timeless classic (not James but similar vibe) for those reasons. I didn't want his name to define what I thought he was going to be. You could have a high court judge James or a teacher James or a Tesco trolley collector James. It's a classic, solid name.
Ironically it does kind of make him stand out from the millions of Braydon/Jaydon/Kaydons!

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I agree and yes, I did exactly the same for my DS (not James but one of the similar timeless ones - Thomas, William, Edward, Alexander etc).

Have also never regretted it - he loves his name, loves being able to easily get things with his name on in shops and meeting other boys/men with his name (although as you say, there are surprisingly few younger ones as these sort of names don’t seem quite as fashionable anymore).

I think these solid, traditional, timeless names stand boys in good stead for when they are older - unfortunately I suspect some of the trendier ones may date badly.

Zoldevort · 20/04/2025 02:12

It’s a lovely name. ❤️

sandgrown · 20/04/2025 00:49

Love it