Honest thoughts on Arthur James please

[wineandcatsandlego]

Just that really!
33 weeks pregnant with a little boy, literally the only name me and DH have agreed on since we found out is Arthur (not named for them, but our deceased grandfathers share the name so a nice family link) but there's a teeny part of me that's now leaning away from it and I can't think why.
The only other name I love is Benjamin, DH isn't 100% keen, but the only other suggestion I can get out of him is Louis but I'm really not a fan! So can I have your honest thoughts on Arthur please? James is non negotiable as his middle name 😁.

Just to throw a curveball in there, we both absolutely love Sid as a name (I'd give my back teeth to pick this for our boy, but the look of horror on my mum's face has scarred me for life ) also Sid James "surname" won't work for obvious reasons!

Other names I like if it helps
Matthew
Benjamin
Thomas
Seth
Daniel
Reuben

Thanks for your input!

I love James but not so keen on Arthur which I still regard as an old man’s name and it has become just too common. All your other choices sound really good and strong and, though not unusual, are not the flavour of the year. Re Seth, this might not be advisable in case he has a lisp.
Good luck

What are the obvious reasons why you can't have Sid?

I think Arthur & James are both lovely although I’m confused about the Sid James thing ?

We wanted an Arthur james but our surname is too close to fowler..... I like it.

Love Arthur

Congratulations

Marking place to find out what the crack with Sid James is all about

(Arthur James sounds lovely, what about James Arthur? Both great names)

Benjamin James is lovely.

I dislike Arthur a lot as it sounds drab to me.

Because then he'd be "Sid James X" which would be like Prince Harry calling his baby daughter Barbara.

If I really liked Sid, I’d change his middle name and use it. Whether or not your mother likes it is irrelevant, surely?

Definitely don’t go for Janes Arthur like the singer.

*James not Janes

Hmmm, didn’t think i’d like it but the more i think of it the more i like.

It's a lovely name. Go with what your heart tells you.

Are people really too young to remember the Carry Ons?
I quite like Arthur James though.

Sid James? Haha, that's the name of the actor with the filthy laugh in the Carry On films I wouldn't do that to a child.

Arthur James is lovely.

Good call PP about the Seth/lisp thing, hadn't thought of that. To those saying Arthur is a bit too old fashioned I think that's where my uncertainty is coming from, as I'm really not a fan of the faddy 'old man' names that are currently popular (Alberts, Winstons, Wilfs etc). Seth I imagine as both a cool American teenager, or the old guy with muttonchops from Emmerdale .

Maybe the whole Sid James thing wouldn't be so bad after all if there are so many who don't associate it with the Carry On actor! James Arthur is a big no no as unfortunately I can't stand the singer, and Benjamin James I do like but DH pointed out the initials would spell 'BJ', and now once pointed out I can't unsee .

Thanks for your opinions guys, this is a topic I daren't bring up in real life as I'm desperately trying not to let loved ones' opinions influence us too much (despite being scared of my mum's reaction!!)

I live Seth, not fond on Arthur but thats personal choice and for no good reason. I probably wouldn't do Sid James but most people here didn't see the connection, so it may be ok.

I like Arthur, Benjamin, Louis and Thomas best from your lists.

Never heard of Sid James, but I don’t like Sid — sorry!

How about:

Stanley
Sebastian
Samuel
Miles
Nathaniel
Joseph
Robin
Elliot

I love Seth - reminds me of the very beautiful and talented Seth Avett. There are lots of names that would be affected by a possible lisp / speech impediment, but I wouldn’t make that a decider.
Reuben was on my shortlist but got crazy popular. Plus one of the neighbour’s cats is called Reuben. 😆
My husband knows a Reuben that shortened to Ben, so this may be worth considering. Benjamin is nice and I like Benji as a shortened option.
I am not a fan of Arthur - v common and along the old people trend of the last few years. It’s not offensive though and Art is nice.

Sid is great
Six James won’t matter as how often do we write out our full names including the middle one?
Or give him an extra middle one and have James as the third name?

I don’t like Arthur- it reminds me of the weird anteater child cartoon! Just feels ploddy and dull and I imagine it being said in a really deep slow voice

How about
Dan
Robbie
Zach
Elias
Dominic
Gus
Joseph

I think it is a fabulous combination. My grandad was John Arthur Patrick and my dad is James. They’re great guys so have only positive connotations with Arthur James

Congratulations.

Still no idea what’s wrong with Sid James (and what’s the Prince Harry/Barbara thing?!?! )

I’d go Benjamin James personally!

Barbara ? Carry on films? I am so confused by what’s going on here

Google "carry on films", "sid james" and "barbara windsor" if you're confused.

Now I know I’m too old for Mumsnet, no one knows who Sid James is

Op: I love Arthur James, plus all your other choices.