Down to the final three

[Overthinkingoverthinking]

After lots of debate we've finally got our shortlist down to three names for our boy due in a few weeks. Our surname is short, common and begins with an S. We have a different list for middle names depending on which first name we choose, so please could you give us your thoughts on these three names:

• Stanley - DH's favourite
• Archie - My favourite
• Jack - We both like but not sure if it's too plain with our surname and it's neither of our favourites.

Thank you!

Jack is best out of those, though I’d go for John actually.
Stanley is old man with whippets.
Archie is twee and there are millions of them.

@Overthinkingoverthinking , Jack is a form of James, but was usually a diminutive of Jack.
Jack is from Jacques, French for James/Jacob.

Of the three, Jack. Having said that I like James and John more than Jack.
Don't like Archie at all, although it sounds a lot better in a scottish accent.
Stanley isn't awful or anything, but sounds quite hard.

Archie is really popular so I'd avoid that one.

Jack or Stanley. Everyone and their dog is an Archie around here.

I deffo know more Archie's and Stanley's atm. No little jacks! It's my fave out of the 3

Babies called Archie in England & Wales since 1996 (darkgreener.com)
Babies called Jack in England & Wales since 1996 (darkgreener.com)
Babies called Stanley in England & Wales since 1996 (darkgreener.com)

I was surprised that Archie was so popular.
Given how long Archie and Jack have been popular, the surname will nearly always be used. It's not just in your immediate circle, but things like in the workplace when an adult.

Stanley, if it works well with your surname. Eg Stanley Scott sounds quite distinguished. Archie always feels like a nickname to me.

If your surname is fairly common I'd maybe go Stanley over Jack. I feel common first name common surname could feel a bit forgettable.

Just to add to the chorus - Archie is in the top ten uk dog names atm.

My little brown eyed boy is Jack so obviously I think this is the best name 🥰

Lmao

I'm not keen on any of them. They all sound like small-time East End gangsters in the early 1900s.

Stanley Scott could work yes

Stanley - really dislike this. Really. Stan was described by 'cute' by a pp so another reason to avoid. He won't be two forever.
Archie - Ten a penny and already dated imo.
Jack - ok if somewhat unforgettable.

Jack is definitely my favourite. I also like the suggestions of John and James. I think it’s the most enduring of your choices.

Stanley is nice. I really dislike Archie. Both seem to be quite of the moment. I don’t know any little Jack’s, but there are plenty of Stanley’s and Archie’s at baby groups where I am.

Stanley by a mile.

Archie is 'half a name' and Jack is too popular

I like Stanley Smith (if the shoe fits.. )

Archie Smith is fine, there are a lot of Archie’s right now though, so with your surname maybe Arnold nn Arnie to stand out a bit more?. Or Alistair for the Scottish vibe - Al Smith is nice.

Jack Smith is too dull - I like the plainness, but there have been a zillion Jacks in the last 25 years. John, Joel, Jerome, Jethro?

Me too. Names such as Walter, Jack and Alfred all conjure up images of old, old men.

Jack

If you must use Jack with a very common surname I would strongly advise giving him two middle names to guard against administrative mix-ups, or to benefit him if he goes into a field such as academia or medical research where your name is very important for citations.

Jack is one of the most handsome names ever!
Archie is amazing! SO darn cute! Especially on a little boy!
Stanley too is very handsome and refined.

overall I vote for Jack! It’s just so timeless!

I like all of them but I do agree Archie is a nn and very popular at the moment along with Albie, Alfie etc. I love Stanley and Jack but I’m not keen on alliterative names so I’d probably pick Jack, and as others have said, I’ve not heard of any very young jacks for quite some time.

Jack is the best of those 3.

Stanley!

John Archibald is my pick - Jack or Archie.

John is handsome, stately and under used.
Archibald is the name of many progressive men and the name of a grand portrait competition.

Stanley