John, James, Jake, Adam or River

[wheredidyouputthekeys]

Which do you prefer and why? :)

James. Classic but not dated, no class connotations.

John.

I like them all but River is quite a different vibe from the others, which are more classic (Jake a bit more modern/trendy but not as out there as River).

I love James. It’s my favourite name for a boy - timeless and suits a baby and a man. I think the same goes for John, Jack and Adam and I like all of them.

On the other hand, I really dislike River. It’s very different from your other choices. I know lots of people love it but I just can’t really see it as a name!

I like Adam, I just like the soft a sound. I'd possibly name an animal River. I can't move in my family or village without tripping over a James aged between 1-80, timeless, but characterless. I'm all for Jamies though.

James

John or Adam.

John is old fashioned and Adam seems a bit dated, River is a bit out there. I'd go for Jake or James.

I like John / Johnny.

Adam is fine.

James is a bit bleurgh, but you'll get thousands of "classic" comments on here about it. I also find the s at the end quite clumsy when using the possessive.

Really dislike Jake, and I'm not keen on River.

Cool. Thanks everyone! Our frontrunners are John and Adam.

Too many Johns, James etc. out there. "Timeless" is another word for "boring". River is a good one. Jake is OK but makes me think of that Rolf Harris song unfortunately.

Adam James.
I have one.

James and Jake are nicest from those I think.

Jake is a bit dated though now - it was trendy about 20-30 years ago. Most of the Jakes around now will be in their 20s and when he's a teenager it will seem like a middle aged name.

My neighbour's dog is called River.

Adam. Just a good solid names, never been a fan of James because don’t like Jamie or Jim. River - just no. Jake is okay but a bit nicknamey to me. John - dunny.

It depends on the last name if I'm honest I like them to go together 🤣

I like James, it sounds nice to me and every James I’ve ever known has been lovely. 😅 Jake is ok. River is very different to the other names. I know a boy and a girl called River, I don’t like it for either. Adam and John seem very dated and don’t sound nice to me.

John. Simple, classic name, and Johnny is a lovely pet name.

I think James is honestly one of the most boring names going, but a lot of people do seem to like it. Adam is my favourite, but John is the middle name I'll be using for a boy... it has family connections though. The nickname Johnny is so sweet though, regardless of the connotations

Not River, that's awful.

River or Jake

Adam or James. Nice classic names that will never date

River is way too chavvy and try hard.

James

John, very underused. As to 'chavvy and try hard', you do get some right berks on here. Imagine trying hard when naming your baby.

John. It sounds really fresh, and I don't know any under 50, but everyone will know how to spell it and say it. If not John then Adam, James, River, Jake in that order. But definitely use John.