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Baby names

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

Original poster

Jack or Thomas?

34 replies

lizzybb · 16/03/2010 14:27

I know both are boring, but which do you hear more?

dd is Georgia.

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Lovethesea · 20/03/2010 08:39

Here in Scotland I am drowning a little in Jack's - down south I know of a Thomas but couldn't tell you numbers.

I like Tom but not Thomas so much though I would also put a full name on the bc.

Jack always confuses me a little because I see it as a shortform for John or Jacob (from french Jacques). I think Jack is a nice strong name but a little limited in what you can do with it .... but Jacob with Jack as a shortform seems more versatile.

Jack's around here can end up lengthened to Jackie because you can't shorten it!

Lilyan · 19/03/2010 18:26

I have both a Jack and a Thomas. Nice thing is cards etc are always spelt right bad thing, when I call for them in the park almost every boy turns around. Those that don't are called Josh and I have one of those as well.

Jacksmybaby · 19/03/2010 18:10

Jack, defo.

Agree with others who've said they know loads of Thomases but no Jacks (other than own DS, obv) despite it apparently being no. 1.

"Boring" = classic, classy, simple, straightforward = all good when it comes to boys' names IMO.

addictedtolatte · 19/03/2010 15:39

jack here the name cant be that boring if 2 bililon people have chosen it

blogpage · 19/03/2010 15:28

Thomas

RibenaBerry · 19/03/2010 13:19

Timothy, now there's a good solid name you never hear any more... Funny how some shoot up and others down..

SmileysPeepul · 19/03/2010 13:15

Thomas is lovely if overused.

Tommy is cute.

Tom is cool.

Original poster
lizzybb · 19/03/2010 13:13

I agree that they are popular because they are good names. If you look at which names endure over the years, it tends to be the non-flashy, traditional ones such as these ... and James, John, William, Ben etc etc.

Thanks for your comments! I still can't decide between the two though ... ah well ...

OP posts:
RibenaBerry · 19/03/2010 12:06

I know lots of both. But I prefer the name Thomas...

I also think that John and Jonathan are due a revival. I know a few baby Jonathan's in London atm. No actual John's though.

littleoldme · 19/03/2010 11:56

Bah humbug to people who say they too popular ! they are popular becuse they are great. I'm mum to a thomas.

CuppaTeaJanice · 19/03/2010 11:54

You say yourself that they are both boring names. Why would you want to give your baby son a name that you find dull? There are thousands of nice boys names around, surely he deserves better than being saddled with the slightly less popular of two ridiculously popular names, neither of which you sound very excited with.

lovechoc · 19/03/2010 11:45

I don't know ANY Jacks!! Thomas: I know one nearby. It's a nice name

rachel234 · 18/03/2010 14:49

I wouldn't choose either - both Jack and Tom are very common round here and I find them very 'now'.

dolphin13 · 18/03/2010 14:30

I'm south east and ds has 3 Jacks in his class. Several others in the school as well.
No Thomas in whole school though.

MarshaBrady · 18/03/2010 12:23

Thomas.

(I don't know a single Jack!)

Jamieandhismagictorch · 18/03/2010 12:19

Someone needs to research this and make a map, with colours representing areas with a particularly high concentration of Jacks.

SqueezyB · 18/03/2010 08:18

I know lots of Toms, no Jacks. I often think where are all these thousands of Jacks hiding?!

HelenDoula · 17/03/2010 19:33

Thomas, Tommy, Tom !!!

yellowcircle · 16/03/2010 17:31

Both are very nice. I'd be happy with either and I don't think either will date.

Anyway, only thing with Thomas is the TTT connection. My DS met a boy called Thomas (my DS was around 2.0 or less) and he could not understand why the child was called the same as the blue engine and followed the child around because he was very taken with his name . Only a temporary thing though, it seems once they are 4, they go for Ben 10 instead.

ilovepiccolina · 16/03/2010 17:19

Please, not another Jack. Thomas is nicer.

MissusRabbit · 16/03/2010 17:19

I never understand how Jack is no1 as i've never met any or heard any at school/playgroup etc.....

I prefer Thomas however, and know some...

Jamieandhismagictorch · 16/03/2010 17:17

Aaaah, but John is a great name, too. Definitely due a rennaisance

5DollarShake · 16/03/2010 16:32

I honestly do think the world has enough Jacks in it. It will be the 'John' of our children's generation.

It will also definitely date - anything that popular has to, as much as some might like to think otherwise. Otherwise everyone would still be naming their kids John...

I like Thomas/Tom.

mathanxiety · 16/03/2010 15:52

Thomas

jellybeans · 16/03/2010 15:51

prefer Jack