Jacob too similar to James?

[JacobJames]

Hi,

We're expecting a baby boy in the next few months and one of the few names that we both like is Jacob. DH is a bit concerned though that it is too similar to his name, which is James. He is always called James rather than Jamie/Jay/etc, and we both prefer the full name of Jacob rather than Jake, but I do have a tendency to shorten names so I can't rule out that I'd end up sometimes calling the baby Jake, which I think makes it closer to James.

I can see that the names are maybe too close for siblings, but I don't personally see it as so much of an issue for a parent and child. Would you be put off a name if it was similar to yours or your DP's, and do you think that Jacob and James are too similar?

I don’t think they are too similar.

It's ok for father and son, but a bit naff for 2 brothers.
Both are from the same root

They are from the same root but are different enough for a father and son.

They’re both lovely names, it’s not a problem

Yes same root of name

Could you chose another J name?

Jacobus is the Latin rendering of James, hence the period of James I’s rule being known as the Jacobean era. So historically they’re essentially the same name. Most people probably wouldn’t make that link so it may not be an issue for you but I know a bunch of history buffs so i couldn’t have got away with it!

I don't think they're too similar either.

I think it’s fine for father and son.

They are the same name, really so no good for first and middle name or for brothers. But for father and son I think it’s absolutely fine.

I know brothers called James and Jacob

As others have said, they are essentially the same name.

It's OK for father and son, but not for siblings.

They're the same Hebrew name from the Bible, just come to us via slightly separate routes (basically Iacomus vs Iacobus). Even if most people aren't aware these days, as they do sound fairly different, the internet exists and I think at some point they will look up the origins of their names and discover they've been given what is essentially the same name.

As so many others have said, they're the same name.

They are both sonically too similar as well as being tow forms of the same name. I wouldn't do it.

Fine for father and son, too close for siblings.

Thanks all for your replies so far

@Firebird83

I think it’s fine for father and son.

I agree. I like it, linked but not too similar.

Too similar

It used to be really common to name children after their parents! Dh and his dad share a name (with different abbreviations) - e.g. Jim and Jamie - it's fine. In fact I think it's really nice.

Not too similar at all. I love the name Jacob

It's fine. It was tradition with my in laws to name firstborn son after the father..... I broke the tradition, I wasn't popular😏but that was because I didn't like the name, it isn't really one that has come back in fashion and I hated the nickname version which they still insisted on calling my ex husband! Both those names are lovely and quite nice that it has the same meaning as his dad's!! I came on to say two of my boys have same first letter to their names which became a bit of a problem when reached adulthood deciding whose mail was whose but realised your not talking siblings😊

I know someone called James and all his children have J names, one of which is Jacob. Never seen a problem with it.
I always call the kids by the wrong names though, not intentionally but the wrong name always comes out!

Not too similar, and although from the same root they are established and sufficiently different - also they are father and son, not siblings.

Yeh father and son is fine. I have a similar name to my dd.

But not brothers