Jamie/Jimmy

[HeyJules]

Hello everyone!

Bit of a long post here...sorry in advance!

My DS is now 7 weeks old. We named him James- DH's father, who died when DH was 17, was James, as was my grandfather who I was very close to. We both love James, but before he was born we discussed the possibility of a nn. We thought it would make sense to see what name "fitted" once he was born, rather than decide on a nn first. My brother is 17 (big age gap!) and named Alfred..parents decided before he was born nn would be Alfie but after a few weeks they both agreed he was more of a Freddie. So DH and I had not decided on a nn, or decided he'd definitely have one, perhaps he would suit James just as it was.

He's now 7 weeks, and to me, he's a Jimmy. I naturally started nicknaming him silly things Jimbo, JimJim, Jimmyjams etc. But when I look at him I see a Jimmy.
DH doesn't agree...he calls him Jamie. He thinks it suits him better and said it came naturally to him. He also really dislikes Jimmy, says its old fashioned and said "you never hear of Jimmy's these days." But that's sort of why I like it. I do like Jamie too but Jimmy just seems "right" to me.

So firstly what do you all think of Jimmy? Is it a bit too extinct now, do you know any young Jimmy's?
Secondly how do we solve this! We both agree it's unfair to force the other to use "their" name but he can't grow up with 2 names. My DM said "well you named him James why not just call him James" which is of course a valid point, but he's such a cheeky chappy and a nn just seems more suitable at this stage.

I'm already thinking he may just end up Jamie. I don't dislike Jamie, but prefer Jimmy. DH seems to really dislike Jimmy...so is it only fair to go for Jmie?

I like both! Could you have it so people call him jamie, but your nickname for him is jimmy?

I think both are lovely. We have taken the same approach as you: all four of ours have traditional formal names and have grown into their nicknames. And they get different nicknames from different members of the family, which is cool I think. Why don't both of you carry on as you are, chances are one will just naturally evolve to be the favourite.

LOVE Jimmy. It's a proper old fashioned (and that's a good thing) nn for a great name. Tons of character.

HATE Jamie. It's very wet and rather dated.

So you're right and your DH is wrong basically . Helpful!

In our house we would use both & child could express a preference when they wanted to. I have at least 3 nns for each of DC, and they have their faves within that.

Why don't you use Jimmy and your DH Jamie?

All four of our DCs have a few nicknames, some only I use and some only DH uses. DH hated my nickname for dd1 so he didn't use it but I still did.

If it was your ds who didn't like Jimmy then I'd say don't use it but there's nothing wrong with you and your DH having different nicknames for your ds.

I think Jamie is wet and babyish. Tons of men in Scotland are called Jamie, not one of them has made me like the name any more.

Jimmy is brilliant. Jimmy Stewart, Jimmy Cagney, Jimmy Page, Jimmy Cliff let's ignore Jimmy Saville

I have a friend called James.
His mum and wife call him Jamie.
His dad and long term friends call him Jim.
As a teen he was usually called Jimbo by friends.
I don't think I've heard him being called Jimmy - but I don't know all his friends so it is very possible that someone, somewhere does.

I think there is space for people to use lots of different nicknames, depending on who they are with. I see know reason why your DH an you can't use different terms of endearment.

no reason. Sorry

I really dislike Jimmy, but love Jamie.

I hate Jamie! It's as bad as Timothy.

Ugh.

I'm not really seeing the problem with you and your DH using different nicknames (unless your DS disliked one of them).