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Baby names

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

Original poster

Jack or Henry (Harry)

44 replies

lostsocks · 28/02/2012 21:32

We think that we have now narrowed it down to these two names. Henry would be known as Harry. The middle name will be Edward for either name. Just cannot decide which name!

Open to suggestions for other quite traditional boys names too!

OP posts:
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othersideofchannel · 28/02/2012 21:35

Both are very very widely used already!

Jack has been THE most popular boys names for years, with over 8,000 boys named Jack last year alone.... And in our beavers group we've got 4 Harrys, two of which share the same surname....

Is there no other name you love?

EllenJaneisnotmyname · 28/02/2012 21:36

I love those names, but they are very popular. Personally, I think they are popular for a reason, so long as you are prepared to find 2 or 3 in their class at school.

pinkandsparklytoo · 28/02/2012 21:37

Why not just Henry without being Harry for short?

Sirzy · 28/02/2012 21:38

I think the popularity depends on the area. DS is a Harry and I know of only one other, know quite a few jacks though.

That said, I dont see why popularity should stop you using a name you like!

Original poster
lostsocks · 28/02/2012 21:39

I am aware that they are both popular names, but they are the two names that we like...

OP posts:
othersideofchannel · 28/02/2012 21:40

"That said, I dont see why popularity should stop you using a name you like!"

The main one being that a name loses its purpose of IDENTIFYING a person if it is already used by thousands others.

tammytoby · 28/02/2012 21:42

I'm afraid I have to agree - there are more than enough little Jacks and Harrys our there. If there really is no other name you love, then go ahead, but be warned that both names are very very popular (and have been for a few years).

grubbalo · 28/02/2012 21:44

Nowt wrong with a popular name - but worth considering what your surname is like! It is v likely he will be known as eg Jack Brown or Jack B at school - fine if your name is eg Brown, but you might not want to draw as much attention to your surname if it's Cocks for example.

In saying all that, you could pick something unusual like Percy and still then end up with 2 in a class!

MrsBradleyJames · 28/02/2012 21:44

I would have Edward as the first name!

It's much nicer than Jack or Harry which are just so common as to just merge your child into the wallpaper (imho)

Edward is classic, stylish, distinguished and still unusual enough to be memorable!

Original poster
lostsocks · 28/02/2012 21:44

Oh how rude. Maybe I should call him something like Rocky. God forbid I strip my son of his identity by naming him with a popular traditional boys name.

OP posts:
Eglu · 28/02/2012 21:45

Jack is the most overused boring name in the world. Henry is nice, but why make it Harry? Keep it as Henry much less used and nicer.

Original poster
lostsocks · 28/02/2012 21:46

That was to othersideofthechannel by the way.

We can't have Edward as a first name, as our surname coupled with Edward as a first name is the same as a famous actor and we don't fancy that.

OP posts:
Sirzy · 28/02/2012 21:47

I never understand all this fuss, my name is one very common in my generation, having a normal but common name hasn't done me any harm or meant at any point people couldn't identify me.

If you want to choose a less popular name then great, but some of the comments made by people about them are rather odd.

Bigteadrinker · 28/02/2012 21:58

Harry is lovely. My name is pretty popular for the seventies, but I like it. I still would have liked a more unusual name. I wouldn't/haven't named my kids super common names, but it doesn't matter does it?

RobinSparkles · 28/02/2012 21:58

A name is popular for a reason - because people like it!

OP I can't decide, I like both of them equally. What about using one as a middle name? Although if you were to do that then Jack Henry would flow better than Henry Jack.

Hmm, I think that Jack has the edge with me. Yes it is popular but it's a classic!

othersideofchannel · 28/02/2012 21:59

lostsocks, I'm not trying to be rude and apologise if I come across as that.

I am merely saying that a name like Jack or Harry does not do its job of identifying a person because thousands of others have that name too. So, you need to add a modifier to the name to make him identifiable. This can be either a surname initial, the surname or an adjective (e.g. little Jack, big Jack or whatever other adjective his friends come up with).

HolyNoSheDittantBatman · 28/02/2012 21:59

I think they're all nice, if slightly dull.

Why the Henry/Harry thing? They're both good names, both acceptable in their own right, both the same length. It seems very odd to give him one name and then call him a completely different name! What will Jack be known as? Oliver?

My order of preference would be;

Henry
Harry
Jack

RobinSparkles · 28/02/2012 22:04

Do you know what? It baffles me on these name threads, how weird people can be!

OP: We've decided we're going to call our child either Trevor or Peter, they are the names we love. Which one do you like best?

Next poster: I don't like Trevor or Peter. Call him Jim!

WTF? Hmm

Original poster
lostsocks · 28/02/2012 22:05

Just because Henry Edward [Surname] sounds better as a formal name for...formal documents I suppose.

DH's favourite name is Oliver.

OP posts:
Original poster
lostsocks · 28/02/2012 22:06

Haha Robinsparkles, I'm pleased you said that, I was a bit baffled myself!

OP posts:
HolyNoSheDittantBatman · 28/02/2012 22:10

OP and Robin

Please note this 'Open to suggestions for other quite traditional boys names too!' from the OP.

That may be why people are suggesting other names hth

RobinSparkles · 28/02/2012 22:15

Oops, missed that bit!

Original poster
lostsocks · 28/02/2012 22:15

I am open to suggestions for other quite traditional boys names, I just find it unnecessary to comment that the two names I DO like are 'dull' and 'boring'!

OP posts:
Sirzy · 28/02/2012 22:19

Harry Edward would sound fine as a "formal" name on its own IMO

grubbalo · 28/02/2012 22:19

Lostsocks - I have said on here before - whatever name you choose will either be

A) dull / boring
B) too try-hard
C) chavvy

I recommend you choose whatever you and your DP like the best - you are the ones that are going to live with it!

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