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Zac or Jack? Help!

26 replies

rachami · 28/02/2011 07:54

I really like the name Jack but I know there are a lot of jack's out there. Do you think Zac is a good alternative or just a bit of a fashion name at the mo? Help, I can't decide and have been thinking about this for nearly 9 months!!!

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randomimposter · 28/02/2011 08:04

Really like Jack despite its popularity. It's a classic and suits all ages I think.

Also like Zac as a NN for Isaac or Zachary, but not as a stand alone name. OK for a boy, but think it lacks gravitas for a grown man IMO.

ChocolateBrownieGuilt · 28/02/2011 08:10

Neither- sorry. Jack is overused. Zac/Zack/Zach isnt a great alternative since Jack is classic, Zac isnt.

Agree with Jollster. Zac is boy/ drnking teenage lad name, IMO.

exoticfruits · 28/02/2011 08:12

Jack-does it matter if it is overused? Maybe Zac is under used because it is a horrible name!

PepsiPopcorn · 28/02/2011 08:32

I like Zac, as a nickname for Isaac or Zachary.

gorionine · 28/02/2011 08:34

DS2 is Zachariah and I never call him Zac. A lot of people do and it does not bother him at all, in fact he quite likes it but it makes me cringe!

greenzebra · 28/02/2011 08:41

Zac is on my list as a stand alone name, I really like it more than Jack. Jack is more of a nn for me than Zac. I suppose its because zacheria and zachery are such long names and jack is a nn for a very short name john. So it says boring to be.

SarahScot · 28/02/2011 09:28

I like Zac. Jack is a great name too, but v v common and showing no signs of losing popularity.

SarahScot · 28/02/2011 09:28

Mack is a good name too.

BulletWithAName · 28/02/2011 10:02

Zac- Jack is too boring.

PepsiPopcorn · 28/02/2011 10:25

How about John (you can alwasy have Jack as nickname) or Jake (as nickname for Jacob)?

BarbieLovesKen · 28/02/2011 10:29

Zack is very much a fashion name to me. Jack is gorgeous and classic - there is a reason its so popular.

rachel1970 · 28/02/2011 12:16

Neither. Jack is indeed overused (has been THE top name for boys for a number of years). Zack/Zac sounds very harsh and incomplete to my ears. I do like Zacharias though.

jellybeans · 28/02/2011 13:30

I like both but would go for Zac as Jack is too popular. I like both as stand alone names as they are good for a man and not like Alfie etc which sound abit more babyish.

whizzylala · 28/02/2011 13:35

I prefer Jack, despite it being apparently so popular I have only ever come across one little Jack....and alot more Zacs / Zaks. Jack is also a name in its own right whereas I think Zac is a shortening.

mopsyflopsy · 28/02/2011 15:08

Jack is a proper name, although indeed very, very popular.

Zak/Zac sounds incomplete to my ears, I really don't like it much. Am surprised about its popularity (Zac Effron maybe?).

PepsiPopcorn · 28/02/2011 15:12

If Jack is a proper name then so are all other nicknames, such as Zac.

mopsyflopsy · 28/02/2011 15:17

Yes, technically any name is a 'proper' name but to my ears Zac sounds incomplete - I much prefer the sound of Zacharias.

jellybeans · 28/02/2011 17:01

I think short forms are different to nn. A nn to me is Daz, Shaz or Macca or something. Short forms are names in their own right and have been for centuries. Sometimes people go on about 'proper' names but few names remain in their original form, eg Benjamin would be benyamin..

mamatomany · 28/02/2011 17:04

What about John as an alternative to Jack ?
I do actually like Zachary but discovered Isaac when i finally popped a boy out.

happymum85 · 28/02/2011 20:24

I love the name Jack but agree it is very popular. But not popular in a "fashion name" kind of way. It is classic. Cannot go wrong with Jack. On the other hand, I hear Zac and think Saved by the Bell!

jenniferturkington · 28/02/2011 20:55

I have a Zachary, nn Zac most of the time but wasn't intended to be!
As a supply teacher I have to admit I have come across a lot of Zacs recently - more than Jack in the 5-11 age group actually.
I absolutely love the name Zachary though, obviously Grin

pilates · 01/03/2011 20:38

Def Jack.

mayanna123 · 01/03/2011 21:24

Neither. Jack is so overused now (after how many years at the top of the charts...) and Zak/Zac is a trendy nickname. I do like Isaac or Zacharias. Or how about John?

MoonGirl1981 · 01/03/2011 22:30

My son is named Zacharias, although his posse tend to call him Zach.

I didn't like Zach at first and always used Zacharias but Zach does suit him well now!

twolittlemonkeys · 01/03/2011 22:34

I have an Isaac whose name I sometimes shorten to Zac. I quite liked Zachary but DH didn't. I know loads of Jacks.