Does this name sound too 'sing-song'?

[M2bClaire3003]

We have literally trawled through hundreds of name websites and are struggling to agree on a name for our son due in a few weeks. We both like James but think its a bit over-used (don't want to use the word 'common'!). We also like Harry but I'm worried it sounds a bit sing-song with our surname which is Kelly...any thoughts on this? I'm trying to think of how it will sound in a playground/ school bearing in mind how cruel kids can be....

Harry is more popular than James, so if you're worried about popularity I wouldn't use Harry.

Otherwise I think Harry Kelly is fine.

There aren't too many James around, none in DS2's year one class and one in DS1's year five class.

Harry is more popular than James IMO and both are fine and even with middle names starting with a vowel the worst you can get is Jok, as in jockstrap I suppose.

Either are good, I like the flow of Harry Kelly

OP - both names sound very nice to me.
IF the statistics matter, here they are:

Harry = no 3
James = no 9
Henry = no 18

source: www.ons.gov.uk/ons/publications/re-reference-tables.html?edition=tcm%3A77-318125

I know a James who uses the nickname Jimmy - which I think is super cool and def not overused.

I think James Kelly sounds better than Harry Kelly.

James Kelly sounds better

Hmmm, it's a bit like Hari Kari.

James is better

I would use Henry with Harry as a NN.

I like them both with Kelly, and I like James/Jimmy and Jim too.

I don't like the flow of Harry Kelly, I think James Kelly is way nicer

I have a surname ending in y too and DH refused any name choice that ended in y as 'sounding odd', although I didn't agree with him. Having said that, I do agree with pp that Harry Kelly sounds a bit like Hari Kari, plus Harry is more popular than James.

Thanks everyone for the input

In terms of popularity, I suppose it depends on where you live. Here (south of Ireland) there are definitely more children called James than Harry

As for Hari Kari, that never occurred to either of us and now its in my head so back to the drawing board for us....

Really, Hari Kelly didn't cross your mind? First thing that came across to me too!

James Kelly has a great ring to it and I hardly know any James' now.

Sorry Hari Kari!

James Kelly sounds better to me, too.

Harry Kelly sounds very like that great Irish footballer Gary Kelly to me! Would never have thought of Hari Kari though!

I prefer James Kelly

I don't think it flows. I've just said it in my mind and it doesn't flow. One of the golden rules with names is that you're supposed to put long first names with short surnames and short first names with long surnames
James although a lot better that Harry doesn't really go either IMO

James Kelly is great, and I actually don't know anyone called James under the age of 12.

Henry Kelly?? You can't do that to the poor child, he'll get sick of people signing the 'going for gold' theme tune, or asking him if he's 'game for a laugh' .....(showing my age).

We have older James's and younger Harry's round here.

I'd say James, but if I had a DS he'd be James (second name on both sides of the family), so I biased.

I know an adult called James Kelly - I think it sounds great as a combo! I can see that Harry would probably be a bit more unusual in Ireland but I do prefer James. We rejected our original choice (Zachary) as with our 30 syllable surname ending in y I thought it sounded like Hickory Dickory
Dock! So I know where you're coming from though Harry Kelly sounds ok to me.

Three syllable!!

Wow I have never hear of Harikiri before...... Japanese disembowelment? If that's what you are all referring to then yeah, not a good connection!! Although how does everyone know what that is?

I personally prefer James Kelly.

Minty I know one too! Maybe it's the same man!

James Kelly is a great name in my opinion.

James Kelly is a fab name.