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Baby names

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

Original poster

Really wanted Mary - but we're having a boy! What do you think of Jack?

30 replies

Lakelover · 17/09/2008 14:53

Delighted to be having another boy, but a bit stuck for names. We have a Tom William already. I know there was a plethora of Jacks a few years back.... what do you think?

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Original poster
Lakelover · 19/09/2008 11:51

Think a 'waste of a name' is a bit harsh! Names are such a personal thing of course, but I do like to gauge opinion here, which is why I asked. My Grandad was John and known as Jack, but we already have a John in the family. It does depend where you are and who you know I guess, as I don't know any Jacks - none within my group of friends' children and none at Tom's nursery (yet!)so perhaps it doesn't seem so much of an issue to me. I'd rather have a popular name that I like than a more unusual name just for the sake of being 'different' but that's just my opinion. Still good to read the general feeling of Mnetters!

OP posts:
LuLuBai · 18/09/2008 12:30

It is a very good name, which is probably why it's so popular. He will always be known as Jack-followed-by-surname-or-initial. When I did baby massage with DD last year there were 8 babies in the class and 4 were named Jack. How about Jake?

SoupDragon · 18/09/2008 10:17

I've never liked the name.

Ledodgy · 18/09/2008 10:14

It depends where you live I only know one other Jack. I chose it because it's a strong name that will grow up with him. I don't agree that it's a boring waste of a name babybaby123 and would love to know what your children are called. Allgonebellyup I only know one other Tom as well again a good name that will grow with him. I resent being called unimaginative and boring just because I chose these names.

TheNaughtiestGirlKeepsaSecret · 17/09/2008 20:03

Allgonebellyup, how many Peters, Richards, Davids under five do you know?!!?

freakypenguin · 17/09/2008 19:54

If you were keen on Mary why not Mario?!

Janni · 17/09/2008 19:54

Safe. Popular. A bit same old same old.

BabyBaby123 · 17/09/2008 19:53

Jack is boring imo - a waste of a name!

Podrick · 17/09/2008 19:21

Jack is the number 1 most popular boys name in 2007

SlartyBartFast · 17/09/2008 19:16

jake is more popular isnt it now?

BexieID · 17/09/2008 19:12

I only know 2 boys under 5 called Jack. And 2 named Henry.

SlartyBartFast · 17/09/2008 19:10

yes, maybe it is not so popular in babies as it was

singingtree · 17/09/2008 18:58

I don't know any Jacks and I know lots of toddlers, I think it's far less common that it was. Millions of Sams though

Podrick · 17/09/2008 18:55

Choose something a little more unusual - there will be several Jacks in his class so he will be Jack A or Jack B throughout his school years

hatrick · 17/09/2008 18:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

frazzledoldbag34 · 17/09/2008 18:36

Jack is lovely. I would be put off by the sheer numbers of them around, but that is just me. I've always liked the name.

allgonebellyup · 17/09/2008 17:22

John ,richard, Peter???

oh god.

Cies · 17/09/2008 17:20

Agree there are lots of Jacks about. But I still like it as a name.

What about James, Peter, John, Richard, Henry... (just given you all the boys names in my family )

allgonebellyup · 17/09/2008 17:20

no more Jacks

no more Thomases

nothing boring like David, Matthew, Mark etc, perleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease

deepinlaundry · 17/09/2008 17:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Tarantella · 17/09/2008 16:53

Far , far too many Jacks around, my son had 3 in his primary class so all had to be Jack A Jack B etc Also firmly of the opinion that Jack should not be a given name, it is a diminutive of John and that is what should be on the birth certificate - so there! Now John is wildly unusual these days!

Ledodgy · 17/09/2008 15:29

I have a Jack and a Thomas William so you can guess what i'm going to say!

TheNaughtiestGirlKeepsaSecret · 17/09/2008 15:26

Peter is much better. Goes with Tom too.

Original poster
Lakelover · 17/09/2008 15:16

Thanks all - think if we go for it I will just have to accept that he may be one of many! We've been thinking of some good middle names to go with it though - 'Anory' 'Knife' 'Spratcouldeatnofat..'

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PuppyMonkey · 17/09/2008 15:15

Oh please don't give the world another Jack - there are enough already now. Don't blend in, stand out!