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Baby names

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

Original poster

Seamus James? Is that silly?

37 replies

goomum · 16/06/2009 12:09

Opinions wanted on Seamus.

  1. James was our chosen middle name but Seamus is the Irish equivalent of James. So would it be silly to go for Seamus James?

  2. Our surname is Irish and my husband has Irish roots on both sides although several generations back. I have Scottish and Welsh grandparents. Is it a bit pretentious to give such a gaelic Irish name to a little lad who will grow up in England?

  3. My DH is sold on Seamus but to me it reads SEE MUS rather than SHAY MUS. What do MNetters think about an Anglicised spelling? Sheamus or Shaymus?

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JoPie · 20/06/2009 13:27

No, Seamus and James are the same name in different languages, John and Sean are the same name in different languages. John and James are 2 seperate names.

FanjolinaJolie · 19/06/2009 16:54

Is John not the same meaning as James, though??

Wouldn't Seamus John still be Seamus James ie James James??

LynetteScavo · 17/06/2009 16:24

I like the name Seamus...I like the name James.
Becuase they have the same meaning, I realised I couldn't have both and only chose one.

GrapefruitMoon · 17/06/2009 16:22

Please don't go for Seamus James. Anyone who is Irish (or knows that Seamus is Irish for James) will snigger inwardly if not to your face (and will assume you are a bit dim tbh). I once knew someone called Sean John (no not the rapper) and was definitely

If you are going to the bother of giving him an Irish name please use the correct spelling. Otherwise use a different, more "English" name

TsarChasm · 17/06/2009 16:00
  1. I must admit I wouldn't have known Seamus is another version of James if you hadn't said. But now I know I wouldn't use both.

Also, they do sound a bit similar to say anyway; that'd be the reason I wouldn't put them together.

  1. No - just fine.

  2. Seamus looks the correct spelling to me. I don't think most people would have trouble with the pronunciation. Anglicised spelling is too literal imo.

Nice choice btw!

Pingpong · 17/06/2009 15:50

I know of someone who has 2 sons, one called James and one called Seamus there are so many names to chose from why choose the same one twice?
Agree with the rest that changing the spelling of Seamus is unnecessary.
Seamus John goes really well together IMO

MaggieBee · 17/06/2009 14:39

Clairey! are you my sister?

jcscot · 17/06/2009 11:58

I stand corrected, cory.

claireybee · 17/06/2009 11:57

  1. I like Seamus but not with James. I read that as Seamus Jamus, can't help myself.

  2. No not at all

  3. Don't anglicise the spelling, I'm sure most people know the name Seamus don't they? Or even if not it's the same as Sean really so shouldn't be too difficult for people to grasp

MaggieBee · 17/06/2009 11:44

oh yes jcsot! of course it is. I knew a Spanish (male) Augustín. I get confused.

cory · 17/06/2009 10:20

no, it's not jscot

Augustine is the English version of the name Augustinus, so definitely male

think St Augustine of Hippo, or Augustine the missionary to the English- he wasn't a lady missionary

the female version of Augustus is Augusta

jcscot · 17/06/2009 10:08

Augustine is the girls version of Augustus, so I wouldn't use it for a wee boy.

sleeplessinstretford · 17/06/2009 09:09

Seamus John was our name had darling daughter 2 been a girl, if i can breed again and it's a boy that's what we're having. I am jealous you get to use it!

EyeballsandherSunburntNorks · 16/06/2009 20:53

Seamus John. An eye catching first name and a follow up middle name. Perfect

MaggieBee · 16/06/2009 19:43

I love Augustus!! but not with Seamus. Too much USSSS.

Seamus John probably works the best. Seamus Samuel is too much S

And Seamus Cyril, well, I think Cyril is a few years behind Seamus on the fashion curve. People with young children realise that SEamus is coming back into fashion (whether or not they like it themselves) but if you say to your parents' generation, the name is,,,,,, seamus Cyril... that will sound like Debbie Mandy Lisa to them. Do you see what I mean.

Seamus Augustine?

Original poster
goomum · 16/06/2009 19:34

Wow nice to have unianimous response on MN! With an aye for Seamus but a nay for James and changing the spelling. That really helps!

Stuck for a middle name now.... family names are John, Samuel, Cyril and Augustus. I think the last two are hideous and the first two are a bit boring!

Any preferences or ideas?

OP posts:
MaggieBee · 16/06/2009 18:55

Isn't the grandfather on Jakers called seamus so people who already have a small child might be familiar with it!

Firawla · 16/06/2009 18:30

Even though its the same name in different forms if you really like both i think its okay, it does sound nice..
or put something like Seamus Jacob, Seamus Joseph?
I am sure most people can pronounce seamus so no need for the shaymus spelling really. if they get it wrong you can always correct them and they should get it right after that?

JoPie · 16/06/2009 18:25

Nooooo to the anglicised spelling, awful awful awful.

MaggieBee · 16/06/2009 16:26

Korma, everybody on this thread seemed to know! I should have read everybody else's responses before I chimed in.

MaggieBee · 16/06/2009 16:24

Hang on though. Seamus James!!!! That's like Sean Jean. Or Elizabeth Isabel.

Think of another middle name!! Seamus Patrick, or if that's too Irish, Seamus Frederick or Seamus Edward or SEamus Jacob or SEamus Jonathan.

Spell is Seamus. The Shaymuss version looks so crappy, honestly. I may be Irish, but I lived in the UK for a long time, and SEamus seems dignified and cool .. shaymuss looks crappy and chavvy. I'd better run for cover nwo.

EyeballshasManBoobs · 16/06/2009 16:24

Seamus is lovely, a bit silly to call him Seamus James. Sean is a lovely name and I'm earmarking that for any future ds.

And if you use Seamus and alter the spelling in any way I'll come round and kick your arse!

MaggieBee · 16/06/2009 16:21

Seamus was even in Ireland ludicrously outdated until about 4 yrs ago. Now it is emerging as a 'cool' choice. I know of a couple. Wouldn't say it was common yet! FAR from it. But it's quite a daring but at the same time sensible choice. I absolutely LOVE it.

Tinker · 16/06/2009 14:43
  1. Yes, it's silly
  2. Irish name is fine
  3. NO to Anglicised spelling
Sycamoretreeisvile · 16/06/2009 14:03

It's a nice name. Please don't change the spelling, that would be too awful.

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