Are James and Jack too similar for brothers?

[Verycherryberry]

Just that really. And if they are, any suggestions?

Sounds fine to me

but then we know a Harry and Henry brothers and that’s actually the same name!

No, James and Jacob are the same name, so that wouldn’t work.

I think they are great names that go together well.

I think they are OK, but I do prefer John as the “correct” name for Jack.

@StrangeNew weird view! Are your boys called something unusual (that then dates them)

I have a James and a Jack and it has never occurred to me that they might be similar, nor has anyone ever said so.

James and Jack are fine.

I have the same first name initial as my brother and it was never a problem. I always use my middle name initial, he doesn't.

Jack is short for John. James and John were two of Jesus disciples in the bible often named together.

I wouldn't go for two names beginning with the same letter as it's easier to make labels or calendar entries with one initial.

A John like name is Ian which is the Scottish equivalent of John but begins with an I.

I wouldn't go for James myself as it comes from Jacob which means supplanter because he stole his older brother's inheritance in the bible.

James and Paul
James and Matthew
Jack and Paul
Jack and Thomas

My dad is James and his brother is Jack, so you could say I'm biased but I do love it
James is my favourite boys' name. Such a classic.

My mum and myself and my sister all have the same first letter at the beginning of our first names. When post arrives with just 'J Smith' we don't know who it's for. Just something to consider in the future.

No, they are nothing alike. I know a family with James and Jack actually as siblings.

I think it’s fine - if not wildly exciting. Same initials could be a bit irritating

If you already have the James, then maybe James and..

Hugh
Guy
Max
Benjamin (Ben)
Daniel (Dan)
Samual (Sam)
Nathanial (Nat / Nate)
Francis (Frank)
Alexander (Alex / Alec)
William (Will)
Edward (Ned, Ed)
Henry (Hal)
Patrick
Michael
Laurence (Laurie)

Shared initials is so useful for brothers when it comes to name tapes. I just do J. Surname.
names are fine together.

My cousins are called Jack and James. Not once have I thought they’re too similar.

I can't tell you the last time I saw a letter addressed to initial+surname. 9 times out of 10 - at least - the full name is used. And I say that as someone who shares the same initial as both parents and two siblings!

Based on family experience, I think you should always go for different initials.

Will the middle initials be different?

(to above poster, our mail nearly always seems to be Ms / Mr / Ms XX Surname - never seems to be first name, maybe it depends on your bank or other providers. So if the second initial were different you would probably be OK).

I think James is a much more classic name than Jack, which was until relatively recently used as a nickname for John rather than as a given name. It’s aggressively dull at this point, due to overuse. Much like Olivia for girls.

Just another thought, growing up, I knew a family who were:
Caleb, Casper, Caroline and Mark.

Mark said to me several times he felt like an after thought as he wasn't in the Ca- team.

Might you have a third child? Might that impact the balance of the names you have chosen?

Baby boy is our third. Older sister has a name not beginning with J, older brother is already James.

Jack would be officially John but known as Jack.

Also considering Oliver but that seems so ubiquitous, Alexander but I don't like Alex or maybe Robert (Robbie).

We have a Jack and James.

J names are very prevalent in our family.

Is no one else thinking of the ‘ Barnaby Bear ‘ theme tune - you must all be too young!

”…Barnaby the Bear's my name, never call me Jack or James,
I will sing my way to fame, Barnaby the Bear's my name…”

I think that so long as they have middle names that start with different letters, and they are encouraged to use the middle initial for important letters, then you can get away with it. One of my cousins has never really forgiven his brother for opening a letter with medically confidential information. The one who opened it contended that it said 'Mr J Brown' and that was his name too. Even his mother didn't believe he had done it innocently. Even worse if it is twins, but not so in your case I see.

James and Jack are fine.

I'm not sure he'll thank you for John on the BC but always known as Jack. I know that used to happen years ago but it's just a pain to explain, especially as it's not common now.

There are a few John’s at my child’s primary school, it seems to be having a little moment of popularity locally.