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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

James - timeless?

105 replies

NearlyThere91 · 16/04/2025 10:49

I'm unsure if it's timeless or a bit... uninspired? I'm nearly 40 and know so many Jameses, but unsure if there are many little ones called James.

Husband loves the name.

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Chewbecca · 16/04/2025 11:29

Definitely timeless

sonoonetoldyoulifewasgonnabethisway · 16/04/2025 11:30

Son has it as a middle name (one of, he has 3 😂)

CountryQueen · 16/04/2025 11:31

Gorgeous name

SummerHouse · 16/04/2025 11:31

Beautiful and always will be. I don't think it's a word that can be boring. It's unusual in that it's one syllable but feels like more. I love it.

Justdancinginthedark · 16/04/2025 11:42

My DS's name. It has always been my favourite name.

user1492757084 · 16/04/2025 12:07

James is timeless.
Locally there is a spate of little James. A huge number of them are being called Jimmy.

Moreteaandchocolate · 16/04/2025 13:38

Timeless with no strong associations with any age or era. Can’t go wrong sort of a name.

LadyMonicaBaddingham · 16/04/2025 13:42

Lovely name, a timeless classic that never goes out of style. Biased because I have a lovely son called James.

username462025 · 16/04/2025 14:00

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

Gundogday · 16/04/2025 14:02

Classic solid name.

Waterlilysunset · 16/04/2025 14:06

Love it! I would have had it but dh said no. It’s one of ours middle name though

LilyJosephine · 16/04/2025 20:46

Fab name and completely timeless. I love timeless names - they don’t give away age (obviously) but also social background or often even nationality. They can be a real boon as an adult, when applying for different jobs, meeting new people, when travelling etc. They also tend to have some amazing historical namesakes because there have been so many over the years - so some great politicians/authors/scientists/actors/musicians/fictional characters to discuss with your James.

Imo it doesn’t matter if they are “dull”- most of the timeless names have multiple nn’s that can make them more interesting. I personally love medieval Jem for James but Jamie is nice too (plus Jay, Jim/Jimmy).

Emotionalsupporthamster · 16/04/2025 20:51

Timeless!

Barrenfieldoffucks · 16/04/2025 20:52

Good, solid name.

I only know 2, and I used to work in a primary school so know a lot of kids.

Apollo365 · 16/04/2025 20:52

Love the name.

SemperIdem · 16/04/2025 20:53

It is absolutely timeless. I think it’s a lovely name.

It was always one of my favourite boy names, however my former brother in law was a James who forever put me off the name. I have ended up having two daughters anyway so non issue!

Emanwenym · 16/04/2025 20:56

Love it as a first name.

fluffiphlox · 16/04/2025 21:00

I think it’s a great name.

Fioratourer · 19/04/2025 21:28

I really like it. A lot of people seem to use it as a middle name.

iggleoggle · 19/04/2025 21:43

Three in my son’s year 6 (60 children). He is one of them :)

Tbrh · 19/04/2025 21:50

James is lovely, compared to other traditional names that just sounds like old man names. What about Jamie? It's more modern

Gowlett · 19/04/2025 21:51

It’s in the Top Five Boys Names, where I live.
Had been, consistently, in the last 20 years.
Before that, it was popular in my Dad’s day.
So, it’s been used to honour lots of grandads.
My generation, it’s more Kevin, Brian, David…

Nametobechanged · 19/04/2025 21:52

I have a preteen James who likes to go by Jim.

James is a lovely name.

Mumofgirls2017 · 19/04/2025 21:58

Tbf I have 3 kids and only know one james 🤷‍♀️

Roundaboot · 19/04/2025 22:04

LilyJosephine · 16/04/2025 20:46

Fab name and completely timeless. I love timeless names - they don’t give away age (obviously) but also social background or often even nationality. They can be a real boon as an adult, when applying for different jobs, meeting new people, when travelling etc. They also tend to have some amazing historical namesakes because there have been so many over the years - so some great politicians/authors/scientists/actors/musicians/fictional characters to discuss with your James.

Imo it doesn’t matter if they are “dull”- most of the timeless names have multiple nn’s that can make them more interesting. I personally love medieval Jem for James but Jamie is nice too (plus Jay, Jim/Jimmy).

I gave my son a timeless classic (not James but similar vibe) for those reasons. I didn't want his name to define what I thought he was going to be. You could have a high court judge James or a teacher James or a Tesco trolley collector James. It's a classic, solid name.
Ironically it does kind of make him stand out from the millions of Braydon/Jaydon/Kaydons!