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!

It’s fine.

Barbara Windsor is a British actress who appeared in the Carry On syndicate of comedy films from the 70s)!). She was also Peggy Mitchell from Eastenders. Google carry on camping.

Sid James was a British actor who also appeared in the Carry on films.

I like Arthur. If it feels a bit old could her be Artie as a nickname for a bit?

I really love Arthur and Arthur James goes well together.

I’m in my 30s and I’ve never heard of Sid James. I can’t imagine it will be a major issue for your son as none of his peers are going to be watching the carry on films.

Seth is a good name. I think it’s a ridiculous idea not to use it on the offchance your DC has a lisp. That would surely go for any name with an S. By that logic you should also pick a short name in case your child has dyslexia or dyspraxia and struggles to write it, choose a name that works well in every language in case he ever travels abroad, choose a unisex name in case he ends up hating his gender, choose a unique name in case he hates ending up in a class with another but not too unique in case he hates having to tell people how to spell it. You can’t choose a name to cover every possible outcome so just focus on choosing a name you and DP both love.

Arthur James is really lovely. I know quite a few little Arthurs - I don't think it sounds old man ish.

Sid James' laugh.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=gVrm6Qc6neM

I do like Sid as a name and as you can see from this thread a lot of younger people won't know who he is.

Much prefer Benjamin to Arthur or Sid. Arthur old fashioned, dislike shortenings “Art” and “Artie”, and Sid makes me think of snakes for some reason!

Arthur James is lovely! I have a Seth and he's 5 and I like to think cool rather than emerdale!

I have an Arthur. It's not an uncommon name (we know 3 others of a similar age through baby groups) but it always seems to go down well as a "proper" name, whatever that means!

If I ever had a second boy, James would be my first choice name.

Therefore, I approve!

This thread makes me feel old....

Sid James was an innuendo-filled comedy actor with a famous dirty laugh who was in the Carry On films.

If Prince Harry had called his baby Barbara she would be Barbara Windsor which is also a Carry On actress better known as Peggy Mitchell from EastEnders.

Surely, OP, he'd be Sidney not just Sid? It is a trendy old man name, as is Arthur, but that's ok, it will just date. I'd compromise and go for Sidney Arthur James.....

Its a fabulous name !! I would pick it for DS3

I'm 30 and knew who Sid James was....

Arthur was top of our list until we started bumping into toddler Arthurs everywhere we go, there seem to be dozens round here! It's a lovely name though.

This thread makes me feel old....

It makes me feel old and i'm only 38, i was going to go have none of you heard of Sid James.

And when someone didnt understand Barbara winsor who untill what 4/5 years ago was in eastenders (and no i dont watch enders havent for years but still)

I find it funny that some ones suggested james arthur too as i came on to say there migjt be some confusion with james arthur

I think Arthur James is a lovely classic traditional name with loads of room for nicknames as the child goes through life. Also love Benjamin, hubby wouldn't let me use that name either

Nobody ever says anyone's full name. In fact I hardly ever know anyone's second name. He will be just Sid if you go for Sid :) which I think is a great name!

Don't worry about your Relatives, can't please everyone.

Also I didn't get the reference!

Like it but super popular here so now not one I would use.

oooooh thank you so much for explaining the Barbara thing I thought I was losing my mind trying to keep up

I’m 34 so not exactly young but didn’t have the foggiest what was going on here - & nope never heard of this Sid dude or watched any carry ons

Nice but better the other way round, James Arthur.

I love the name Arthur James! I think Arthur is a traditional “old mans” name as you called it, a bit like Harry that will stay around for a long time (I think) I like names like Ralph that I think are “old mans” trend names that will seem like a fad.

Benjamin is nice but he will be Ben by friends I’m sure - fine if you like it though, you just hadn’t mentioned nicknames

I’m 30s and know who Sid James is! Perhaps this is a class thing, he was a naughty/ cheeky British icon but more for us lower orders

How can anyone in their 30s not know who Sid James is?! Misses point

My first thought was of James Arthur, I’m afraid

Thanks again everyone, I bloody love this site as I can waffle and (mostly) you help me work out what I mean!

Good call on pointing out the nickname issue whoever you were, not something I'd really thought of. Benjamin is lovely as a Ben or Benji, Arthur unfortunately I dislike shortened to Artie or Art (despite loving Simon and Garfunkle!), and Sid we would only want as plain old Sid, 100 % not Sidney, which I think is what a lot would assume.
Bloody minefield naming these kids eh