to use James on a girl?

[AyGirl]

Am overdue. Baby has not arrived. Do not know gender. Have finally after much indecision, decided a girl will be Iris James. Mentioned to DB who got very upset and kept on saying it's not a girls name. Mother has rang me this morning and said he was so upset because he wants to name a son of his James. Keep in mind he is not married or having a child. I do think they are TTC. But I want to use Iris James!!!!! She said that I shouldn't and should save it for him because it will be his first child and a son. So what, the two beautiful little girls I've delivered into our family are nothing. A boy will probably be Gage Theodore.

My older DDs are Hattie Juniper and Cleo Annika so we use quite different names.

I just admit I've always hated having a 'boy' name (although Kiran is an Indian spelling which is female.) I do get tired of people assuming I'm a man. But as a middle name that's not really an issue. I'd personally use Jaime myself but it's not my kid.

But your brother is being very silly thinking that means he can't use it for his mythical boy child too

Your brother doesn't get dibs on a family name but I think you are wrong to give a girl a boys name. She'll go through life being questioned about it, potentially, my dd has name which is very much a girl's name but sounds a bit like a boy's name. I never guessed I'd have to explain so much when she was little what her name was, how it was spelled and how pronounced.

Give her a girl's name, girls and women should be proud to be known as such.

I like Iris James.

James is a boys name. She may not like having a boys name for a middle name when she gets older.

Middle names are hardly used.... call her what you want.

PS my son has an unusual name too (but I did not choose it as he is adopted). I spend a lot of time spelling it. It gets old.

What if you agree not to use it and then he doesn't! He could have all girls. Or a friend of mine insisted a particular name was 'hers' and she was definitely going to use it, and then didn't when the time came. You can't sacrifice the name you love for a what if in the future. Also, it's totally fine for him to use James as a first name for a boy and you middle name for a girl, not a problem.

Also, James is an awesome name for a girl! And has meaning to your DH. Definitely go for it - Iris James is gorgeous.

This thread reminds me of Cher's daughter, Chastity Sun Bono. She changed her name and gender

I have a middle name which is traditionally a boys name. I loved it as a kid, thought it made me weird and quirky ;) now I'm like, meh, I never use it anyway. But I used to tell everyone when I was about 14 - I was v proud!

Did you already know that your brother wanted James? Our family it's kind of first come first served.

IF you and your DH like it, use it.

Your brother and mother are beyond ridiculous. Nothing stopping your brother from someday naming his currently completely impossible, imaginary child James if he wants, to. It's a common enough name. no one owns it.

I think it's lovely op . ( can't believe all the right on gender shit on mumsnet but on here everyone's going 'it's a boys name... ' )

I rather like it! Think your bro needs a grip calling dibs over a name for A non-existent child... and how is he certain he'll have a boy!

Think it was Ryan Reynolds that named his baby daughter James. Wouldn't personally use it but Each to their own

I think that's a lovely name, unusual but not completely off your rocker lol. Just remember there is a girl called MoonUnit (Frank Zappas daughter) so stuff them, its your choice. your DB doesn't even have a partner let alone kids yet so he can sit and wait, as can your mum. she'll be called Iris the majority of the time anyway. middle names are to show just how much trouble they're in! lol x

The purpose of middle names is to embarrass the child later in life, so James will be fine. My middle name is the same as my grandfather's first name. I hate it and found it embarrassing as a child. Just one of the many reasons that my mother is going into a home as soon as possible!

Gage - is that pronounced like gauge or gagee? Both equally daft. DP has an odd name and has never forgiven his parents for it. No one can spell it and he is frequently asked if he has got it wrong (as if). As for James, well let's not forget the boy named Sue. YABU.

Iris James is lovely, and it's ludicrous for your DB to 'reserve' a name when he's not even a father-to-be, plus there's nothing to stop him using James anyway.

What you want and what your DD may well think are two very different things. Is this to show the world how hip and trendy you supposedly are?.

Names are very important and are an integral part of identity. Why saddle her with James as a middle name at all, do you not realise how important names actually are in society?. It will appear on all her documentation. Its daft frankly to use James as a middle name for a girl, in this case it could well get confused by people as a surname. If you like the name James so much, add it as part of your own identity instead.

oh ffs, what a ridiculous name for a girl.

ridiculous and for what it's worth your other names aren't as unusual or unique as you think...

For me what's worse than the gender thing is that 5 years ago, NOBODY would have wanted to use the name James for their daughter. Then one celebrity couple does it, and suddenly James is a "lovely" name for a girl. God, being that influenced by pop culture is just disgusting.

Also sounds too much like Isis Jones.

Dixie my father genuinely wanted to call me moon unit and my mum almost let him. I thank my lucky stars my older brother told them not to be so bloody stupid and use a proper name.