For Jamie.. should I have James on birth certificate?

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Hello all

I quite like the name Jamie but everyone thinks I should have James on BC rather than just Jamie. What does everyone think? I don't even know any Jamie's to ask what their mums did!

I grew up with a few Jamies. One is in a v high level job and appears to now be known as James in the country he's moved to and another is now a Jim. I also know an Elizabeth, known as Lizzie as a child but Liz in adulthood and called Elizabeth at work.
I'd give him the name James, call him Jamie but give him the option.

Jamie is sweet for a baby but one day he will need to get a job - James is a far better name on a CV. It doesn't stop you calling him Jamie at home. I have a friend who was called Danny in his birth certificate, he's changed his name by deed poll to Daniel

I would go for James personally

That way he/you have options

I went to school with a lad who was always known as 'Jamie' but notice he is James on Facebook (now in his mid 40s) so obviously decided at some point post 16 that Jamie didn't suit him anymore

DS is James on his birth cert but has only ever been referred to as Jamie. We had the same dilemma. He is registered at school as Jamie. He loves his name but is pleases that he can choose to change it when he is older. It's a fab name btw :)

I would. It's a more grown up name. Imagine if he ends up as a top surgeon or politician. Jamie wouldn't sound very serious. It's a lovely nn for family and friends though.

Yes absolutely I would use James.

I know lots of Jays, Jamies etc and I think all are James on the BC. It’s nice to have the full name for job applications and formal events I think.

I would use James on the bc just so he has options when he's older. My James has started to call himself Jimmy recently. I also have an Alfie - but he has Alfred on his bc.

Yes. Charlie Archie Alfie etc are trend names rather than classics so I would use a proper name legally. But saying that I don’t think it’s a major deal so do what you feel comfortable with - many many kids in their generation will have Harry Alfie Archie etc on birth certificates so it won’t be unusual to him as an adult

Do the high court judge test. If your DS grows up to be a high court judge which sounds better:
The honourable Jamie x
The honourable James x
Personally I think it’s good to have a Sunday name as well.

Also school won’t be confused- DS has a full name and a shortening. They know and use his full name for things like reports and they’ve taught him to spell it. They call him his shortening and put it on things like books etc.
Schools aren’t stupid!

I’ve got a James. He’s never been called James, always his nickname, but I’m in the ‘Sunday name’ camp.
School are happy to use the short version for everything.

I'm a bit inconsistent about names like this but I think Jamie is one of those that has crossed over to become a valid name in its own right. I'd say the same about Harry and Jack, whereas I can't take the idea of someone's official name being Ollie or Freddie seriously.

Jamie Vardy is "just" Jamie and it doesn't seem to have held him back!

Use James as there’s more options. DS1 is called James but we sometimes call him Jim

I’d choose James definitely

My DS is called Edward on his BC and is variously called Ed, Eddie, Ward and Peanut. Sometimes all in the same afternoon! It isn’t an issue. Nicknames fluctuate throughout your life and can be different with different groups of people. The parent doesn’t necessarily get to choose.

Put a proper name on the BC and let the kid choose what he prefers to be called. Jamie Jones (for example) may end up being called Jonesy whether you like it or not. Or even something random like Lefty!

My DS is James on his birth certificate and was Jamie when he was younger (without any problem or confusion at school). Still is to me. But now he's 26 he prefers to be called James. I'd say James on the BC gives him the option in later life.

Unless you really like James and would use it, then I'd put Jamie personally. I don't see the point in an official name being given when it won't ever be used by you. I do prefer James myself having said that but I'd not put Jacob on a BC over Jake nor Charles over Charlie etc. It's definitely a personal choice though. They're both nice names.