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Baby names

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

Oliver or Jack?

40 replies

beaditAli · 02/09/2010 15:15

I know both are top of the names lists but they really are the only two we both love and agree on. I only know one Jack and he's nearly 10 now however, I know so many baby Olivers. Just wondering what opinions anyone has.....
I have a feeling Oliver is more popular nowadays than Jack......??? Help DD is a week on Tuesday!

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facebook · 02/09/2010 15:17

Both lovely. I absolutely love Jack, think Oliver is number 1 now isn't it or is it still Jack? Not completely sure but there is a reason they are both fairly popular, because they are beautiful names! Don't let popularity put you off if you love it.

sooz28 · 02/09/2010 15:21

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

beaditAli · 02/09/2010 15:22

I think I'm over bothering if they're too popular as some of the more unusual names for boys really make me wonder how people can! Though DH was a fan of Herbert for a while! Shock
My sister is a deputy head and has only taught one Jack and two Olivers in almost 10 years. I do wonder where all the Jacks are!Confused

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facebook · 02/09/2010 15:22

due date?

beaditAli · 02/09/2010 15:23

DD = I mean Due Date

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sooz28 · 02/09/2010 15:24

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beaditAli · 02/09/2010 15:26

Should it be EDD on here? Anyway..... so worried we'll have the little fella and still be stumped! Also hoping we have to decide before then or he'll be born a toddler!

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Zondra · 02/09/2010 15:26

I have a Jack,too.

'Tis is a good strong name.

Oliver is good,also,but,Jack is the best. Wink

facebook · 02/09/2010 15:27

Herbert??! Oh lordy, please go with Jack or oliver! I only know one jack too, he's 5. Don't know any olivers though! I suppose just because they are the most popular names, doesn't mean that there will be hundreds all on one street, just that if I know one, u know one, sooz has one then it means we all know one, doesn't mean there will be 12 in his class or anything as extreme as that!

greentriangle · 02/09/2010 15:31

In DS's nursery (60 kids), there was only one Jack and only one Oliver. Both are very nice.

Jack isn't usually shortened, but Oliver is to Olly - do you like it?

beaditAli · 02/09/2010 15:34

Yeah I like Olly and know an adult Noll who likes being called that or Oliver. Happy that Jack doesn't need a nickname so perhaps we need to wait and see the little fella's face??

facebook: Herbert is DEF not an option! Foot firmly down on that one! Grin

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facebook · 02/09/2010 15:41

Good news. They are both such classy and lovely names that either one will be perfect, just depends how u feel on the day! Good luck with birth and hope everything goes smoothly for u. My friend just had a little boy today called Alexander James, another nice classic name. So many lovely names to chose from!

MummyLovesSadie · 02/09/2010 15:45

Both over very popular names.

beaditAli · 02/09/2010 15:46

Thanks facebook! So nice to talk to some sane people on here.
I love Alexander for a boy and James is definitely our middle name. SIL is Alexandra though so it's out! Well chosen by your friend though! Grin

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Zondra · 02/09/2010 15:49

Alexander James is a lovely,classic name.

I'm biased for Alexander also,though! Grin Ds's middle name!

facebook · 02/09/2010 15:53

Aww thank u, never been called sane before Grin. I know what you mean though, I sometimes do wonder what people are thinking when they name their children but I know it's all personal taste and someone may well hate the names we love. I think sometimes the most popular names are always best to go with because they are generally the nicest names! We are ttc dc2 and we love Thomas James if we have another boy but so many people have said it's too common. Each to their own eh?!

herbietea · 02/09/2010 15:57

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beaditAli · 02/09/2010 15:58

Keep looking at baby pics of DH and trying to think what he looks most like..... I think if he hadn't been a Matthew he'd suit Jack more than Oliver. He's a Matthew James which I think is lovely even if he is 31!

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facebook · 02/09/2010 16:03

Oh I love Matthew too! Matthew was going to be ds1's name but our surname starts with Mathxxx so it was not an option really! Still love it though. I think if it was up to me then Jack slightly tops Oliver but they are both so nice. If James is your decided second name then u may be better going with Oliver as it seems to flow better with James. Totally your choice though!

beaditAli · 02/09/2010 16:05

I know Oliver goes better with James but who ever gets their middle name used?? Not too worried that Jack James sounds a bit J ish.
Oh.... I do wish he'd hurry up!

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horatia · 02/09/2010 17:17

Much prefer Oliver to Jack.

I know Jack is the no. 1 baby boy name but I still think of it as a nickname.

rachel234 · 02/09/2010 18:31

I know loads and loads of Jacks and Ollies.... too popular for me personally.

MollieO · 02/09/2010 18:38

My Ollie was the only one at his nursery and the only one in his school year. There are 2 in the year below and one in the year above.

CharlieBoo · 02/09/2010 18:58

I dont know any Oliver's and only one Jack! Love them both, but prefer Oliver. I agree, they are number 1 and 2 for a reason, both gorgeous! Good luck.

Clary · 03/09/2010 01:02

I know lots of small (ie primary age) Olivers.

There are 3 in DS2's school year out of about 25 boys, for example.

One in most classes/yrs in our school.

Jack oddly enough seems less popular here - I know 4 or 5 at school. But it is and has been top of the charts nationwide for yrs.

They are both very nice names tho so don't let this bother you unless it does IYSWIM - ie yr child will know others with his name but if that doesn't matter then go for it!

(PS it matters to me hence my DCs' bizarreo names Grin)