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Original poster

Jack - just too popular?

54 replies

Izzy222 · 07/03/2008 12:35

I know it's been top of the most popular names for years, but the only Jack I know is 90 years old. Are there really so many Jacks out there? Perhaps those of you with babies/school age children will know...

thanks!

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edam · 07/03/2008 14:10

I do like it, btw, but personally I'd avoid as it's so blooming popular.

Original poster
Izzy222 · 07/03/2008 14:23

Thanks for the thoughts - sounds like it depends where you are in the country...

OP posts:
Pen74 · 07/03/2008 16:18

It's been number one for thirteen years. That's a lorra lorra Jacks!

John is a much better choice (IMO).

CristinaTheAstonishing · 07/03/2008 16:19

When the popularity tables are compiled, do they go for the first name or all registered names counted?

Pen74 · 07/03/2008 16:27

First names only.

CristinaTheAstonishing · 07/03/2008 16:30

Thanks, Pen. Something I was wondering about.

Ledodgy · 07/03/2008 16:31

I have a Jack and don't know any others, there isn't any in the whole of dd's reception year.

RosaIsRed · 07/03/2008 16:36

DD3 is in Year One - there are three Jacks in her class. DD2 is in Year Three - there are four Jacks in her class. I wouldn't do it. Nor would I do Sam or Ben or Tom or James/Jamie. I would say those five names make up about 20% of the boys at the DDs school.

PuppyMonkey · 07/03/2008 16:43

Yes, far too many Jacks please don't add to them (sorry, I have just assumed you are preggers, pls accept my apologies if not).

Not even a particularly nice name imho. Bit zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Jacanne · 07/03/2008 16:46

There aren't any Jacks in DD1's Reception class and I only taught 1 Jack in 6 years of KS1 teaching - I don't think it's so popular here in deepest, darkest Essex.....lots of Bradleys, Connors and Jordans though.

fedupwasherwoman · 07/03/2008 16:48

Are there really so many Jacks ?

I don't know any in either of ds1's class or ds2's nursery, maybe there are some in the other classes but it really doesn't seem that popular around here.

fedupwasherwoman · 07/03/2008 16:50

Rosa, where do you live ?

I did hear that Jack is very popular in Merseyside and tbh it makes me think of Jack Duckworth but that's Manchester isn't it ?

mrsstresshead · 07/03/2008 17:18

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn at the poster's request.

RosaIsRed · 07/03/2008 23:41

I live in Devon, fedupwasherwoman. I dont' know if it is a national trend or not, but the name is certainly very popular here.

tummytickler · 08/03/2008 21:51

ds has 2 Jacks in his class, we know 2 who go to another school, 3 more who are the siblings of dd / ds friends, 1 who is 19 and 2 in their 30's.
That is quite a lot i guess , but i definately know more Finlay/Finley/Finn, Thomas and Olivers (i am Brighton.
I like it but not enough that i would ever use it - but then i like Obadiah

thepurplestar · 08/03/2008 22:39

We have about a dozen Jacks in KS2. As long as you don't mind your son possibly being known as Jack X or Jack Y, then you shouldn't let its popularity put you off.

TheFallenMadonna · 08/03/2008 22:44

Not that many round here. The giving away of Olivers and Joshuas, but not so many Jacks.

I think Jack is a diminutive that's fine to use as 'proper' first name though. How often is it really used as a diminutive of John now?

kathryn77 · 08/03/2008 23:05

I have a jack who is 18 months and at nursery and never met another one since calling him jack..

have met lots of thomases, joes, oscars but no jacks.

vicsta · 09/03/2008 12:12

I think it may be on its way out now. I know lots of 5-10yr olds called Jack, but hear it much less often now. Nice name I think, could vary to Giacomo or Jackson if you want a bit different. Can shorten Jackson to Sonny which I also like. Who cares anyway? If you love it, use it.

Mumcentreplus · 09/03/2008 12:18

How about Jackson?...or Jackie..

hotchocscot · 03/04/2008 03:02

even though i knew it was really popular i kept jack on my list of possible names while preggers, i just liked it for the same reasons as mentioned above (short, simple, strong, we have long silly surname so didn't want anything complicated). It wasnt' my first choice (i was obsessed with daniel for a long time as a name) but when ds was born he just didn't look like a daniel at all, and after 24 hrs he was a jack and that was that. He coming up two now and we have only met one other jack six months older in all the groups we go to. If you like it, go for it!

GooseyLoosey · 03/04/2008 06:24

I knew of a fair number 6+ years ago. However, I know of only 1 under 5 with the name. Its a good name and if you like it, go for it.

sorkycake · 03/04/2008 06:52

I have met loads of kids called Jack, Harry, Daniel. Personally I would avoid those names like the plague.

It is the nick name of John, which is far more preferable imo and you get the added bonus of him being called Johnny if he chooses.

superloopy · 03/04/2008 07:03

I have a Jack and only know one other.

I just like it because it is a proper strong sounding name which will suit him at all ages.

DH desperately wanted it as his name after Jack Bauer from 24!

Lomond · 03/04/2008 07:23

I only know one Jack and he has just started at DDs nursery, there were none before. I love the name and would go for it if you like it!

DD1 has a very common name and there three in her nursery but I love the name and she suits it. Can't think of any other name that I would like so much.

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