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Baby names

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

Is James a classic strong name or boring

117 replies

bluebabydinosaur · 01/03/2019 08:07

Everyone seems to be picking unusual baby names these days which makes me concerned that James is just too boring. I think its a strong, handsome name but I could be wrong. Your thoughts would be really appreciated. Thanks

OP posts:
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Hameldown · 01/03/2019 10:30

Good name; he won't hate you for it or be embarrassed later in life. Beware though of calling him 'Jamie' when young in case that sticks. Jamie isn't really a proper handle for a grown up man.

SallyWD · 01/03/2019 10:33

One of the best boys names!

Pishogue · 01/03/2019 10:34

The thing is, OP, that 'classic strong names' are also essentially 'boring' by definition because they're conservative. We've all heard them all the time, they are eternally popular, we know octogenarians and newborns with those names, they feature in the top 20 all the time etc etc. It's up to you how you feel about that.

More of an issue for me would be exactly how popular a name it is (which I don't know). My son's class of 24 in a village school has three Jameses, three Alices, and three Georges, as well as two Imogens and two Harrisons.

Disfordarkchocolate · 01/03/2019 10:35

I love James, it would have been on my list(s) if my sister hadn't used it.

TinklyLittleLaugh · 01/03/2019 10:39

James, Jamie, Jim, Jem, Jay. Love it; the classics are the best.

CountessVonBoobs · 01/03/2019 10:40

Classic and strong. A lot of the names being used now are going to sound very dated indeed in 15 years, I think.

joyfullittlehippo · 01/03/2019 10:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Jsmith99 · 01/03/2019 10:55

I agree Pishogue. James is both ‘classic & strong’ and ‘boring’. Two sides of the same coin.

Sophronia · 01/03/2019 11:18

Love it

Megan2018 · 01/03/2019 11:20

James was on our list - love it (but we are having a girl).

citychick · 01/03/2019 11:20

It's a classic.
Lots of James in our family. All have very strong personalities.

Lindtnotlint · 01/03/2019 11:22

The best name.

YahBasic · 01/03/2019 11:22

I love it but can’t use it.

I’ve found it popular in the U.K., but less so abroad. DH didn’t grow up in the UK and was surprised to discover he’s one of 5 at work here.

ChandelierSail · 01/03/2019 11:25

It's my favourite boy's name. If I'd had a boy that's what I would've called him.

crosspelican · 01/03/2019 11:26

Absolutely love it. It's always been one of my favourite names.

MikeUniformMike · 01/03/2019 14:13

I love it. Always popular so will never date.

bluebabydinosaur · 01/03/2019 14:19

Thank you so much everyone for replying. It seems that James is a favourite and Im not barking up the wrong tree!

OP posts:
MikeUniformMike · 01/03/2019 14:23

If one of my DCs had been a boy he'd have been called James.

FizzyGreenWater · 01/03/2019 14:25

Nice, total classic, but yep boring really! Each to their own though, you can't go wrong with it.

SuziQ10 · 01/03/2019 14:31

It is boring but still a very nice name imo.
It would be on my list as a potential.

Ipanema01 · 01/03/2019 14:35

I never really comment negatively on posts as I don't think its helpful and I do like more unusual names so again not the best person to comment, however I find it dated/boring even against some other traditional names. There are 3 James' just in my small team of 20, so popular that they all use nicknames instead.
I do strongly feel thought hat if you love a name that's all that should matter x

Ipanema01 · 01/03/2019 14:36

And there is obviously lots of love for it on here! :)

3out · 01/03/2019 14:40

A lovely name. DD has 3 James in her class, all lovely lads. To tell them apart though (when called) they’ve each become known by their peg picture. So there’s James the Tractor, James the Crocodile and James the Tortoise. Loads of possible nicknames too. Jim, Jimmy, Cheemo, Jamie, etc

E20mom · 01/03/2019 14:41

It's a classic. I like it

PissOffPeppa · 01/03/2019 14:45

I think it’s a bit dull- it’s just not my taste. But I’d find it very refreshing if someone I knew called their son James. It’s a good, classic name and these days not so common, so your son is unlikely to become James F or whatever in school.