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Baby names

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Original poster

jack. too popular...what to do?

25 replies

mamaesi · 23/04/2011 12:05

l love jack and it was my favorite grandfather's name... but i hate hate hate that is number one most popular name.

also two family friends have just named their sons jackson...

is there any alternative? have you avoided names because of popularity?

OP posts:
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purepurple · 23/04/2011 12:11

Does it really matter if it is popular? If you like it and it is what you want to call your baby then use it.
I really don't get all this procrastinating over baby's names.
Your baby, your choice. Sorry if that sounds a bit harsh, Op, don't mean to be, but does it really matter what other people think?
If it really is too popular then you can always use it as a second name.

Cattleprod · 23/04/2011 12:13

It's actually number 2. Oliver has overtaken as number 1.

My friend used the French version Jacques - said with a soft J.

llareggub · 23/04/2011 12:17

I have a 4 and a 2 year old and haven't met any Jacks yet. Depends on where you live I think. If you like it, use it.

valiumbandwitch · 23/04/2011 12:18

I suggest thinking about what it is you like about Jack. Is it the fact that it is kind of short and snappy name? if that's the case do you like Gus or Max? If it is that it could be used accross Europe really, what do you think of Guy or Saul? If you like it because it sounds really unpretentious, then what about Greg or Rob?

I hope that helps. But tbh, I wouldn't use jack. It has been #1 or close to #1 for about 12 years, in several countries.

Original poster
mamaesi · 23/04/2011 12:25

exactly. so many years at the top.

i like it because short and snappy. (our surname is long and complicated)
and because it reminds me of my grandfather and I think its nice to use family names if you can.
we are also a real mixed family spreading many continents, so I need something that many cultures/languages can understand.

i do like max too.

OP posts:
valiumbandwitch · 23/04/2011 12:28

what letter does your sur name begin with, and can you tell me what other nationalities/races besides english? will put thinking cap on

Original poster
mamaesi · 23/04/2011 12:57

there is a possibility that we could not always live in London...

other countries where we might live and/or have family/heritage from include:

italy, america, holland, germany, switzerland, west africa (ghana), norway

we are a mixed bunch!

OP posts:
pilates · 23/04/2011 13:31

Jack is a great name, I wouldn't worry that its a popular name, especially as you have the family connection.

CarefulWithThatAxeEugene · 23/04/2011 14:42

Was your grandfather's name actually Jack, or was it John? as hitherto Jack has been mainly a nickname for John. Its popularity as a name in its own right is recent.

'John' is pretty multicultural, most languages have a version of John.

RainbowPatooties · 23/04/2011 14:58

it maybe number one in the popular lists, but i can honestly say i have never even met one, young or old, in real life.

peeriebear · 23/04/2011 15:00

My lovely friend Jack (a man in his 30s) is actually a John. I only found out when I looked at his passport to mock his photo! I just assumed he was always Jack :)

Abcinthia · 23/04/2011 15:32

Who cares if it's number 1 in the popular lists? If you like the name and it has meaning to you, then why not use it?

I really don't understand why people get flustered because a name they like is 'popular'. What's the worst that could happen? Your child may meet someone with the same name? I've got a common name and so I've met many many people with the same name as me and it's never bothered me at all.

greencaveman · 23/04/2011 15:35

If you like it, use it. I thought Oliver was No. 1 now anyway? It's popular because it's a nice name and lots of people like it.

Becaroooo · 23/04/2011 15:37

I called my ds1 a quite popular name at the time he was born (it always seems to be in the top 10 actually) and he has NEVER been in the same class with a child of the same name...same for after school activities...no-one.

I would have called him the name anyway tbh...it always been my fave Smile

Becaroooo · 23/04/2011 15:37

...and I only now one Jack and he is now 5....

LouMacca · 23/04/2011 16:35

I love the name Jack. Considering it's meant to be so popular there is only one in my DCs year (out of 80 children) and I think there are only 3 in the whole of the junior school.

DramaInPyjamas · 23/04/2011 16:44

I only know one Jack as well.
And he's a 75 yr old man.

I really don't understand it when people go jittery at the thought of names being too popular. If you like it go for it.

WMDinthekitchen · 23/04/2011 16:46

Jake? Zak?

pinkhebe · 23/04/2011 16:51

I know 2 and they're both 11. It's popular for a reason - it's a great name [bugrin] I would especially use it if it reminds you of a favourite Grandad

Original poster
mamaesi · 23/04/2011 18:20

yes actually my grandfather was john... but no one ever ever called him that.

but I cant use john anyway, it was my ex of many years and he was absolutely horrible.

OP posts:
valiumbandwitch · 23/04/2011 21:38

What about Raoul?

Oakmaiden · 23/04/2011 21:42

Interesting fact - children with popular names tend to be more popular themselves than children with unusual names. (I have just done a uni assignment on reasons why children pick their friends :) )

So go for a popular name, if it is a name you really like.

WhipMeIndiana · 23/04/2011 21:43

change the 'a' in jack to an 'o;
much cooler unusual yet similar Jock.

QueenAbcinthiaXVI · 24/04/2011 10:55

I can't see Jock without thinking of Jockstrap. Sorry!

HipHopOpotomus · 24/04/2011 16:26

Jacob?

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