Are James and Jack too similar for brothers?

[Verycherryberry]

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

My Grandfather and his brother were John ( known as Jack) and James (Jim). It was a classic combination back then. Those types of classic names have endured for a reason. I'd definitely go for it.
Btw; at rude pp: it isn't dull or boring just because it isn't a badly spelled American surname.

No. It doesn't matter what siblings are called. They will get mixed up anyway. They could be Abraham and zebediah and they will still be called the other.

I think Jack is just as ubiquitous as Oliver though. Robert is best from your options if you want something a bit more unusual but still classic.

It's absolutely fine

Sounds fine to me.

I have a Jamie and love Jack for the next one but I think they’re too similar! Also like Jake. Does it have to be a J name?

I’ve always like George with James but maybe because that was my brother and his best friends names. I love Alexander too, I think that goes well with James.

I don't really like it when siblings have the same initial, but if it doesn't bother you, then James and Jack are not the worst I've heard - not absurdly similar or likely to be misheard for each other. James and Jacob would be much worse IMO as they both have the same origin and meaning, and they have more sounds in common than James and Jack. Of the other names you mentioned, I think Robert goes very nicely with James!

I teach brothers called Jack and James and have never thought of them as too similar.

I really don’t get the angst about the post thing. To start with, we’re getting fewer and fewer letters and that’s only going to keep lessening. Secondly, medical stuff usually has your full name on rather than just initials. Thirdly, whilst they’re still living at home and not independently, I can’t think what awful outcome might happen if they accidentally opened the wrong letter?

Personally I wouldn’t use John and have him known as Jack. I know it is traditionally a nickname but Jack is very much a name in its own right these days and I feel doing that would confuse matters.

Jack is a solid, classic name but I wouldn’t say it was any less ubiquitous than Oliver really which you say you don’t want to use as it’s too popular.

I think they sound great together, can't be shortened, classic nice names. I think @Livefornow makes a good point about the post, they will have to have different middle name initials or there will be much confusion at some point when potentially sensitive stuff starts arriving (bank statements, letters from the doctor etc.) However, it isn't a biggie for most families who just say "err..I opened your letter by accident, here it is".