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Original poster

Jimmy or James?

33 replies

Georgia3Rom · 06/02/2016 19:26

I adore the name Jimmy and I think it goes wonderfully with DD's name Margo but DH thinks it's more of a nickname and that it wouldn't suit an adult male , he wants to compromise by naming him James and then using Jimmy as nn but I'm not keen on the idea, I know I can't really control what his nn will be and with James it's more likely to be Jamie then Jimmy, so I just want opinions, not on if you like James better but if Jimmy is suitable for an adult.

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ChessieFL · 06/02/2016 19:28

I agree with your DH, put James on birth cert then call him Jimmy if you want. James will look better on CVs and job applications etc when your DS is older.

Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost · 06/02/2016 19:31

James on BC. Jimmy as NN

aurorie11 · 06/02/2016 19:32

Know someone called Jimmy who was born in 70s, had to use Jim as an adult as he couldn't really use James. I'd go with James

StitchesInTime · 06/02/2016 19:36

I would use James on the birth certificate and Jimmy as a nickname.

I do know a few adults who go by Jimmy, so I don't think it's unsuitable for an adult, but the Jimmys I know all have James as their "formal" birth certificate name.

I also know a few adults who went by Jamie / Jimmy when younger but insist on being James now.

daisydalrymple · 06/02/2016 19:38

I know a Jimmy who's in his 40s, no idea if he's a James, he's always been Jimmy, it suits him and I really don't think its held him back in any way!

I do know a James who was called Jimmy as a baby, now in his 20s, always James.

I think if you want to call your son Jimmy, name him that. But, you do both need to agree of course Grin

MadameDePompom · 06/02/2016 19:39

I know a few adults called Jimmy so I have no problem seeing it on a man. But..........I'd definitely put James on the birth cert. That way you still get what you want, to call him Jimmy day to day and your husband gets what he wants, a 'sensible' name just in case your son might prefer that when he's older.

You don't need to say to people 'This is James but we're going to call him Jimmy. Just tell people 'Jimmy has arrived'.

BendydickCuminsnatch · 06/02/2016 19:39

You can control what his name is shortened to. DS is Joseph on his bc but has been Jos since the minute he was born and introduced to everyone as such.
Having said that I tend to advise people to register their children as whatever they will be known as, just don't follow my own advice Grin
I know a few grown up Jims! James on their bcs I think.
FWIW I think Margo and Jimmy sound awesome together!

MadameDePompom · 06/02/2016 19:40

And all the Jimmys (Jimmies?) I know are James on the birth cert.

Penfold007 · 06/02/2016 19:42

James on the birth certificate. Call him Jamie, Jim or Jimmy or whatever you want.

tinofbiscuits · 06/02/2016 20:40

I think it would be good to have James as an option, so James on the BC and Jimmy as nickname.

EnriqueTheRingBearingLizard · 06/02/2016 21:05

If it were me I'd name him Jimi, like Jimi Hendrix, whose name was Johnny really.

I know an adult Jimmy and it really suits him, but it's a favourite of mine as it was my father's name, although he was James.

CoodleMoodle · 06/02/2016 21:10

My DH is a James. He gets called Jimmy/Jim or Jam. Or J. The only person to call him Jamies was his Nan, so I wouldn't worry about that!

Definitely James on BC.

museumum · 06/02/2016 21:10

All the adults I know called jim or Jimmy are actually James.

Jamie though I seem to think of more as its own name and None of the James I know are ever called Jamie.

Sofiria · 06/02/2016 21:14

I know several! All are James on the birth certificate and were called Jimmy as children. Only one is still Jimmy as an adult, the others switched to Jim or James.

I don't think Jimmy is entirely unsuitable for an adult but it's a nickname and I do think it's better for him to have the choice.

PooDogMillionaire · 06/02/2016 21:18

I agree with your DH

mrsschu · 06/02/2016 21:37

James is better, gives him options when he's older. I would think that Jimmy is a more common nn for James than Jamie. I've usually heard Jamie used on its own.

TooMuchCheesecake · 06/02/2016 21:40

DH is a Jimmy (he's 30). James on birth certificate, and all his family called him James as a child (and still do now). But at secondary school his friends called him Jimmy and it has stuck. He introduces himself to people as Jimmy and that's what everyone knows him as.
So I see the name Jimmy as a grown mans name. And it's nice for him to have the choice of James/Jimmy when he's older.

FlatOnTheHill · 06/02/2016 21:51

I think James on birth cert.

redmini4 · 06/02/2016 23:54

Personally I prefer James but I am biased as it is a family name

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 07/02/2016 00:23

I love Jimmy, but I would definitely put James on his birth certificate.

eachtigertires · 07/02/2016 00:34

I know someone my age (mid 20s) called Jim. His real name is James but he's only ever been known as Jim or Jim-Bob.

Original poster
Georgia3Rom · 07/02/2016 00:38

I suppose it's better to give him a choice, I shall have to compromise and put James on the BC and introduce him to everyone as Jimmy, DH shall certainly be happy

OP posts:
DoorbellsSleighbellsSchnitzel · 07/02/2016 00:40

James on the certificate. If you want him to be known as Jimmy then call him Jimmy... Others will follow suit.

Stoneagemum · 07/02/2016 00:48

I know two James by birth certificate, one known as Jimi James, the other by Jimo. Jimi James submitted his CV to my company recently as James Surname.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 07/02/2016 08:46

Great decision, OP, perfect for you and your dh. I don't know any children called Jimmy so could be refreshingly unusual although not unknown and simple so great criteria ticked. I know a couple of adult Jimmys/Jims.