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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

But he looks like a Seamus...

32 replies

awkwardmoment · 20/09/2013 17:03

Namechanged to avoid outing myself Wink

When I was pregnant, we chose (or rather, did not disagree) on the name James for our son. DH is Irish and there was a fair amount of banter around his side of the family calling him Seamus.

Here is the ishoo...

As soon as he was born, I gazed lovingly at my wrinkly little James...

...only to discover that he looked more like a Seamus Shock

Stupidly, I did not say anything, as we'd been referring to him as James since the 20 week scan and Seamus had been a bit of a family joke.

That was two months ago. I've been calling him James, but he still doesn't look like one.

AIBU to start calling him Seamus? DH is in agreement that the name suits him more than James.

I mean, it's not like he'd notice, right?

runs away

OP posts:
poopadoop · 20/09/2013 17:05

go for it - and nice little homage to Seamus Heaney who died recently

spongebob13 · 20/09/2013 17:05

well you can call him what you like but have you to officially change paper work? birth cert? baptismal/christening or anything like that?

though it is so irish to be christened one name and go through life known as a completely different name! lol

Justforlaughs · 20/09/2013 17:07

Seamus is a lovely name. Isn't it the Irish version of James anyway, so even if he has been registered as James it shouldn't matter. As an aside, my uncle's name was Ronald John and was known as Jack till the day he died at 89 and my FIL's name was Francais and was known as Fred!

Hassled · 20/09/2013 17:08

You have a year or so to tweak the birth certificate, I think (I may have made that up - but I think I read it on MN so it must be true). Go for it. Seamus is lovely.

Coincidentally, my DS3 just didn't look enough like a James either, despite me being fairly set on it in pregnancy. James is clearly a hard name to carry off.

FrigginRexManningDay · 20/09/2013 17:09

Lots of people with Irish heritage use both their Anglo version and Irish version whenever the mood suits. David/Daithi James/Seamus Peter/Peader Patrick/Padraig.

AngusAndElspethsThistleWhistle · 20/09/2013 17:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
awkwardmoment · 20/09/2013 17:12

It is indeed the Irish form of James - hence the joke Grin

We wouldn't change the paperwork or anything - that way he can always choose to be called James when he gets a bit older, if he ends up hating Seamus.

And you're right - none of DH's family are called by their actual names. Not even DH!

Hadn't thought of the Seamus Heaney connection. Am culturally barren (or rather, our school did Ted Hughes).

OP posts:
cashmiriana · 20/09/2013 17:38

Change it!
My sister was called Baby for two weeks
Then Hannah for a day
Then Isabella for a week
Only to end up registered on the very last day (at 6 weeks) as something totally different. (I have changed the names so as not to out her!)

My grandparents had already opened a post office savings account for her in the 2nd name!

I don't think it's traumatised her. Wink

JohnSnowsTie · 20/09/2013 18:00

DH has a brother called James and EVERYONE calls him Seamus.

Sounds weird when someone calls him James!

iloveeverton · 20/09/2013 18:04

My ds is James after my dad who is Seamus. I love both names but if I had my time again I would of gone for Seamus for my ds.

My mums side of the family are all known by different names!

NeoMaxiZoomDweebie · 20/09/2013 18:24

YANBU I think that's lovely. Similar happened to my brother who was ALSO called James. He became something completely different...can't say what without outing myself!

PeppiNephrine · 20/09/2013 18:26

If you get bored with that you can move on to Hamish for a bit.

treaclesoda · 20/09/2013 18:27

I think that since they are essentially the same name, its fair enough. Think of it like a nice Irish nickname!

Its not like you called him something very 'ordinary' like John and then decide that actually you wish you had gone for Peregrine. I mean, thats a far bigger leap...

gordyslovesheep · 20/09/2013 18:28

change it - Seamus is a lovely name Grin

ToffeeCaramel · 20/09/2013 18:28

Please come back and tell us your in laws' reaction when you tell them. Bet they will love it Smile

AlansCatalanCat · 20/09/2013 18:31

I wouldn't worry about it. I know a Seamus (born in England to Irish parents) who was registered as James. I never knew this until we looked up his birth reg to settle an argument over whether he was older or younger than his sister. And there it was - James! Everyone has always called him Seamus.

Balaboosta · 20/09/2013 18:31

Seamus is a really nice name!

123Jump · 20/09/2013 18:34

My dad is a James Augustus, known as Seamus. We love the name Seamus. I'm from Dublin, but live in the North of Ireland. Seamus is very popular here, nn Seamie.( pronounced shaymee).

MistyB · 20/09/2013 18:41

Call him Seamus but do change the paperwork or it will cause the poor boy endless problems. Funny as it is to be called something other than your official name but it is not 1980's rural Ireland where everyone knows who Mickey John John is, a letter addressed to Foxy Tom, Clonmel will actually be processed by the post office and reach the intended recipient.

GwendolineMaryLacey · 20/09/2013 18:42

Seamus is an absolutely fabulous name. You simply must use it.

LumpySpacePrincessOhMyGlob · 20/09/2013 18:48

Great name but please do the paperwork. Both my father and DH are known by manes other than there official names and sometimes it`s a pain in the ass with the paperwork.

TidyDancer · 20/09/2013 18:57

I'm not keen on the name personally, but I think your reasons are sound so go for it. You can easily stick with James as the 'official' name and give your DS choice when he's older. Good plan!

Sleepthief · 20/09/2013 19:01

You can change the name on the birth certificate up to 1 year (I know, I've been there!) here in the UK very easily. Don't know about Ireland, though...

onedev · 20/09/2013 19:02

I'm from NI & think its a great name. Nothing unusual in being christened 1 name & called the Irish / Anglo version instead! Go for it Grin

hearthwitch · 20/09/2013 19:41

Irish too and my da and his da and a long line of them were christened James but are all called Seamus

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