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

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

Baby names

James (Jimmy) or Patrick (Paddy)

68 replies

iffyshortlist · 27/09/2013 08:31

We're struggling with names and have been for the past 8 months! James and Patrick (but Patrick would definitely be shortened to Paddy) are our current favourites. We're not overly bothered about popularity but do want a name that will suit all stages of life. Any thoughts...?

OP posts:

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DramaAlpaca · 27/09/2013 21:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Bowlersarm · 27/09/2013 21:34

I love Jimmy.

I like Paddy.

But prefer James nn Jimmy. Fab name.

Zoe6789 · 27/09/2013 21:35

Paddy = owlfella
Patrick = little boy.
I know a few little patricks and no way would i start calling them paddy out of nowhere!
It seems like an old fasioned leap. Not as big as say chuck from charles but nowadays charles shortened to charlie. Henry never turns into harry at leadt not casually.
Richard now richie never dick.

So i think classic names stay classic and their nick names come in and out of fashion. At the moment paddy not a fadhionable nn. "Pawdie" sounds softer butthat might sound silly in england.

elcranko · 27/09/2013 21:35

I like James more than Patrick but Paddy more than Jimmy! Not helpful at all, sorry!

WinteronPluto · 27/09/2013 21:36

I like patrick.

Do they have to be southern Irish or can I say George best?

GwendolineMaryLacey · 27/09/2013 21:41

Patrick/Paddy. Great name.

Floggingmolly · 27/09/2013 21:44

I have a Jamie. I'd never heard of an Irish George either, had to google your two, Squoosh

SocksinBoots · 27/09/2013 21:47

GEORGE BEST

Sorry for shouting, but how has he not been remembered as an Irish George

Love both Jimmy and Paddy but wouldn't use Paddy as I'm not Irish.

squoosh · 27/09/2013 21:49

Well George Best is different as he was a NI George. I'm sure there are loads and loads of NI Georges, but I do think it's pretty rare in the Republic.

MikeOxard · 27/09/2013 21:51

Love both. Ds was nearly James but wasn't as I don't like Jamie (love Jim and jimmy though). Patrick and Paddy are fab too. X

SocksinBoots · 27/09/2013 21:51

Oh yeah, that's true. Didn't think about the difference between NI and Rep.

Kikibee · 27/09/2013 21:54

What about patch for Patrick?

squoosh · 27/09/2013 21:55

Patch would be nice...............for a teddybear!

Are people called Patch?

BunnyLebowski · 27/09/2013 21:58

Patch is horrendous! Godawful. Seriously.

MrsOakenshield · 27/09/2013 21:59

Patrick is lovely, but don't shorten it - Pat or Paddy are not good (and I do think Paddy as a short doesn't work if you're not Irish).

Not keen on James or Jimmy.

I agree about names suiting all stages of life - there is a young teenage boy on our street called Arthur, and at 13 hearing his mates call him that - it just sounds a bit daft (sorry parents of Arthurs!) - lovely for a young boy or olderish man, but not great on a teenager, imho!

Kikibee · 27/09/2013 21:59

Yes, I had a wonderful boyfriend called Patch, you need to widen your horizons Squoosh

squoosh · 27/09/2013 22:02

Patch is hot.

Looks as though he's missing you!

TooTryHard · 27/09/2013 22:06

Love Paddy. Great name.

AveryJessup · 27/09/2013 22:07

Patrick is a great name, a real classic, as is James.

Don't know about Paddy as a nickname though, it puts me in mind of some oul fella down the pub, with a beer gut on him the size of a minor asteroid. Pat is a good nickname.

I've met plenty of Irish Davids, quite a few Andrews and am aware of the existence of a couple of Georges in Irish public life. George Clooney has Irish roots!

JoinYourPlayfellows · 27/09/2013 22:08

George Best

iffyshortlist · 27/09/2013 22:09

I can see logically why Patch is a really cute nickname but there was a film out years ago called Patch Adams with Robin Williams. And he really gives me the creeps - a lot. Not sure why, he just does so purely on that ridiculous basis I could never call my son Patch!

OP posts:

squoosh · 27/09/2013 22:12

But Pat is such a mimsy name, also, Postman Pat.

Paddy is solid and manly. Admittedly some of them are very solid in the beer belly stakes!

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LoopThePoop · 27/09/2013 22:24

I will tell you now, I am in THE most southern part of the republic.
Under 40 in my immediate family there is one Patrick, one James, 4 Georges, at least 6 Andrews as it's a family name. Daves, Davids, Daithí's are all interchangeable in my world. Too many to count.

Don't be so fucked up in your own opinions thinking a name is one or the other people.
If you like it, do it.
If everyone picked the same name we'd all be called Jesus.

Patch is something you put on trousers.

liquidstate · 28/09/2013 22:21

I know a boy Patrick NN Trick.

Personally I prefer James/Jimmy as I can't stand Patrick/Paddy due to my alcoholic arse of a father. And yes he was Irish. Incidentally the name 'Paddy' is a UK word used to refer to Irish men in a derogatory manner. A bit like 'Taffy' and 'Jock' for welsh and scots blokes.

There's a George in my family who lives in Kildare.

BasilBabyEater · 28/09/2013 22:28

I've known two PJ's in my life.

Short for Patrick James in each case.

Both Irish.

You could have both...

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