Marlon or James?

[coldsandinsleepingbags]

DS due soon and have really struggled with finding a boy's name that we feel at all drawn to. Generally feel that boy names fall into the category of very popular or traditional (which isn't generally our bag) or a bit too 'out there' and obscure (also not our bag). Struggle to find any names in the middle ground. Found it really easy coming up with options in the middle ground when naming our DD!

After a good few months of looking at every name list and generator online we've got two on our shortlist... Kind of feel one from each category I mentioned above - James (nn J) or Marlon (nn Marley).

I'd like to have at least a couple options on our list and make a final decision once he's born.

I know names are obviously such a personal thing but would love to hear some first impression thoughts on both/either!

I like James but not the nickname J

My DH is a James. I can’t quite equate him having been called Marlon! The names feel such polar opposites I’m struggling to understand how you can like both (I’m joking, I’m sure it’s possible - of course!).
There are some lovely nns for James - J doesn’t seem an obvious one, wouldn’t Jamie be nicer? though if that’s what you were going for perhaps look at using James as the middle name with eg Christoper or Alex and you could have CJ/AJ.

Wow, they are really different!

I would go for James and maybe go by Jay.

Marlon...it's not for me. Isn't it Nemo's dad?

Marlon makes me think of the dozy one in Emmerdale. Marley works if you are a big fan of Dickens! James is great. Not J though and JJ is even worse. So American.

James, but I don’t understand why you would shorten a one syllable name!

Thanks so much for the opinions so far!

@popskipiekin totally get what you mean about polar opposites. If we were to go for the traditional/popular route then I like James. Know a lot of adult Jameses but none that I'm super close to. But generally they're a mix of backgrounds/personalities etc so I don't feel that it's a name that pideon holes to particular conotations much which I like. Personally am not a huge fan of Jamie, for me it feels like a very different name. If we used J/Jay as a nn it would be in addition to using James, not instead of. I like names with nn options. I've always had a handful of names my whole life and really like that. DD goes by 3 names (full name plus 2 nn). I hope it will give her some flexibility over her identity as she grows older?!!!? But who knows! I know some people particularly like names that can't be shortened /messed about with!

@AudacityofHope that's exactly what I said to DH when he suggested it about Nemo's dad! Until he clarified Marlon not Marlin (ie. A type of fish). It has grown on me since over a bit of time as I think I'd still prefer a name that is less popular... But I'm just not sure still.

@percheron67 I don't watch Emmerdale so didn't know of that link. He doesn't sound like a very inspiring character!

Very different names.

Love James, don’t really like J as a nn, but better if spelt Jay, there is also Jem if you don’t like Jamie.

Cannot warm to Marlon at all... TBH it just seems very downmarket.

I love both James and Marlon (Marley)

James is a great name , definitely not Jamie !
Marlon really don’t like , although I like Marley ( was listening to Kyami Marley & Ms Dynamite earlier, Seed will grow)
Good luck choosing & with the baby ☘️

James is lovely.

Marlon - no, not for me.

James

My vote goes to Marlon🙂

I think of Brando and adore the meaning "little hawk".

Not Marlon. To me it sounds ugly and a bit of a non name, sorry.

Marley too much of a dog name now.

James is also a bit bland.

They are so different. do you want to go traditional or a bit different?

I'm not keen on Marlon. I like James but I wouldn't choose it myself...I feel like it is an older name & frequently nn Jim/Jimmy which I don't love. You'll know the right name when you see him...good luck with your new baby

I know a Marlon in a lavender marriage. Janes is great. Jim is even better

both nice but prefer James

James is lovely imo- it's often considered the most classic and timeless boys name in many English speaking countries, yet it's currently the lowest in the UK popularity charts than it's been for at least a century (so there are fewer boys than ever being given the name). It's also has the bonus of lots of nn's - cool Jay, retro Jim/Jimmy, vintage Jem and cute Jamie.

Marlon sounds more like a surname to me or a trendy celeb type name (like Brando), and I see Marley as a pets name, sorry. If you are unsure maybe you could try to find a middle ground in terms of classic/modern and popularity - maybe Leon or Evan instead of Marlon? Or you could go traditional like James but with a cool nn - maybe Alexander (Xan/Lex) or Nicholas (Nico/Cole)?

James, definitely, but also definitely would shorten to 'J' which is a bit naff - the name of all the naughty boys while I was at school in the 90s/early 2000s - and would either just stick with James or use nickname Jimmy.

James I have James in family, only few of mates nicknamed him Jim, Jimmy

I prefer James.

Not keen on Marlon, and if you’re planning on calling him Marley, why not just name him Marley?
I don’t particularly like Marley either, but prefer it to Marion.

Hmmm, Marlon not getting much love!

@SionnachGlic I think you're right - probably need to stop thinking about it now and just wait til he's born and hope something falls into place when we meet him!

Thanks for all the input everyone :-)

Definitely James, agree with pp, Marlon seems a bit down market.

James is a wonderful name.

Definitely James. Agree Marlon is downmarket.

James