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Baby names

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

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Original poster

James: classic or boring?!

74 replies

footyfan · 09/09/2011 23:38

I'm 36 weeks with my first and struggling with names.

My DH likes 'classic' names that mean something to his family- so his options are James, John and Robert.

My favourite of those is James - but I can't get very excited about it. Problem is, I can't come up with any other suggestions either. I don't like really outlandish names, so most other boys names seem a bit boring.

Is James really dull? Any other similar suggestions?

OP posts:

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hulabula · 11/09/2011 15:33

James is dull imo. Also it looks like the plural of Jame .

LetThereBeRock · 11/09/2011 15:41

It's nice. A good,strong,classic name.

poppydaisy · 11/09/2011 16:32

I'm afraid I find James quite dull, sorry.

DoctorX · 11/09/2011 20:03

Absolute classic. Would have used it if it hadn't been my hubby's name.

OddBoots · 11/09/2011 20:13

I love it as a name. :)

Clary · 11/09/2011 20:36

OK, fair enough, I don't know any James older than about 25 but I see others do! I never said it wasn't an old name btw.

Plenty of king's names are not timeless tho; my SiL was considered quite outree and wacky in her name choices in the early 80s - one of her sons is William!
Victoria, while quite popular in recent years, would have been very bizarre in my school among all the Sharons, Karens, Joannes, Nicolas and Claires.

I did go to school with a Sophie, but her father was an artist, so his eccentricity in naming his daughter was forgiven

Sorry OP, a bit off topic. FWIW I think James is a fine name. If you love it then use it!

SlinkingOutsideInSocks · 11/09/2011 23:11

Again, I was at school with several Victorias/Vickys and think it was more popular then than it is now...

Names have peaks and troughs of popularity and it is clear that James is undergoing a bit of a resurgence now, but it is the epitome of a classic, timeless name - I know them of all ages and all nationalities. It's not a name I would choose and I do think it errs towards the side of staid and boring, but that's just my taste.

And I'm sorry - but in whose world is William an outré name?! Again, it ebbs and flows in terns of popularity, but I simply do not see it as anything other than a timeless classic.

Other timeless classics include Elizabeth, Mary, George, Henry/Harry, Charles/Charlie, Anne/Anna, Jane, Sarah just off the top of my head - again, all more or less popular at different points in history, but all standing the test of time.

wildspinning · 12/09/2011 22:12

I would have loved to have called my DS James, but it was my grandad's and my cousin's name and I didn't want my son to have the same name as them.

I regret it now TBH as my grandad passed away and we never see my cousin.

James is a superb name and Jimbo is a fab nickname!

Clary · 12/09/2011 22:29

Slinking I think you must be much posher than me

The only Victoria I have come across over about 20 is v v posh (still calls her mother "mummy")

My SiL lived in Lincolnshire so maybe they are behind the times there but yes, the vicar and others remarked upon the "unheard-of-for-years" nature of her DCs' names, including William.

You're kidding about George, right? An old pal of mine (same age as me) was given "George" as a mean nickname at his (posh public) school in the late 1970s - it was then the epitome of uncool old-fashioned-ness. Nobody (well, not nobody, but more or less) was 15 and called George then. Yes, it's a name that has been around a while but it has not always been popular in the way that it is now.

I think maybe we are saying the same thing actually - no baby is named Joanne just now, but they will be in 50 years I am sure.

nonsenses · 12/09/2011 23:58

Sorry but I find it very dull and rather wet!

exoticfruits · 13/09/2011 00:14

James is a lovely name-a classic and not at all dull. I have never know a wet James!

harassedandherbug · 13/09/2011 11:42

I have a James - he is 22 and neither dull nor wet .

It's classic. He is James too. He used to be Jamie when tiny, but he prefers James. Occasionally J, or an affectionate mum-only Jim-Bob.

pilates · 13/09/2011 16:31

I don't think you can go wrong with classic names, so my vote has to be for James.

Avinalarf · 13/09/2011 21:38

I like James. It's classic and Jamie and Jimmy are both cute nicknames. Jimmy is retro cool in my opinion, actually.

nonsenses · 13/09/2011 22:00

Sorry but it's just my opinion. It's not even a name to me; just a noise.

Kayano · 13/09/2011 22:14

I am a Victoria and I can assure you I am not posh to the point where I refer to my mum as 'Ma!' is a chav voice

There were 3 in my class in the 80s but the popularity has dwindled somewhat. I like it better now than I used to

exoticfruits · 13/09/2011 22:15

Victoria is a lovely name!

bumasbigasthetv · 13/09/2011 22:17

I love James

Original poster

footyfan · 14/09/2011 00:14

It's not even a name - just noise!! That made me

I've been feeding back the views on here to my DH and most seem to be supporting his view that it's a good name.

Still not sure what to do...I've looked through the top 100 names / loads of threads on here - and still no inspiration.

3 weeks left though!

OP posts:

OvO · 14/09/2011 00:19

If you're not sure about James then you should chose the name Alexander.

That is the best name ever. Fact.

anewmotivatedme · 14/09/2011 10:49

Classic

rachel234 · 14/09/2011 11:48

I think James is classic AND dull. Yes, it is an old, classic name but being used very widely has made it a little dull/bland to my ears.

maamalady · 14/09/2011 15:00

I love James, am meh about Jim/Jimmy, and HATE Jamie. James is definitely a classic - use it!

AllyCee · 14/09/2011 17:17

Could always mix it up a bit and go with Jamie :P

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