James - timeless?

[NearlyThere91]

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.

I think it is timeless, and I'd think of that as being a positive thing.

Not so fashionable that there are going to be 3 in ever class, but a name that people know how to spell and know how to pronounce.

Good, solid name.

@SpringIsSpringing25 How rude!

There are a few James’ at my school, it’s a lovely timeless name.

It’s timeless but it’s so incredibly dull.

I’ve taught many a James in my day and all of them were lovely. My favourite boy’s name, so much so, we called our son James. It’s a strong, classic and timeless name.

Love it

It’s a lovely name. ❤️

I agree and yes, I did exactly the same for my DS (not James but one of the similar timeless ones - Thomas, William, Edward, Alexander etc).

Have also never regretted it - he loves his name, loves being able to easily get things with his name on in shops and meeting other boys/men with his name (although as you say, there are surprisingly few younger ones as these sort of names don’t seem quite as fashionable anymore).

I think these solid, traditional, timeless names stand boys in good stead for when they are older - unfortunately I suspect some of the trendier ones may date badly.

Love the name James. He can choose to be Jim, Jamie or Jimmy too if he wishes. If you feel the need, give him an ‘out there’ middle name.

I think James is timeless, and the ones I met were wonderful people. It's a super name. Just gotta decide if you also love it like DH.

How is it rude to answer someone's question about your opinion with your opinion? She asked if it was timeless uninspired and I said that in my opinion it's uninspired.

That's not rude

Lovely classic that has stood the test of time.

It’s lovely. Classic and stylish - a name equally at home in a tent or a yacht. Quite a manly name.

Timeless, lovely name.

I don't agree that it's dull or uninspired. I'm not sure why a name has to be 'inspired' anyway.

Makes a change from Jayden, Kayden, Kai, Casey, Riley, Bradley etc.

@Sadtosaythis , It's not rude, it's just an opinion.
@SpringIsSpringing25 , which names are inspiring?

Fabulous name. It would have been my top choice for our son but my husband wasn't keen so we went with another classic name.

When did people decide names had to be exciting or inspiring? I don't think many thought that way when I was a child and every other boy was John and girls were mostly Susan or Sarah or Amanda.

I think James is a beautiful name. Adapts to fit the bearer nicely, anyone from James Dean to James Brown to any of the Kings.

Beautiful name 😍

My dad was a James, Jim for short.
My eldest has James as his middle name, my BiLs middle name is also James.
A friend of my parents/family is called James
I, many years ago worked with a James.
Ive also been a 1-1 with a little chap called James, we also had another James in the same setting.
I work in Primary now and we’ve have 2 James's.
It’s not that uncommon and timeless imho.

Timeless. There’s a website which shows the official lists of names registered each year. You can search by name and it shows a graph over about the last 100 years of how popular a name has been. James is one of the only ones I’ve seen (I searched a lot when pregnant) with steady popularity, no significant dips or peaks.

Babies called James in England & Wales since 1996
Baby names since 1904: how has yours performed? - Office for National Statistics

Love the James. It was my Dad's name but he was known as Shay. Its my sons middle name. Love Jem or Jemmer as a nickname .

The chart on the ONS site is fascinating. I think James is about the most timeless name around. Thomas and Charles also fared well.
In case you are in Scotland:
Babies First Names 2024 - National Records of Scotland (NRS)

Yep James, William and Thomas are names that as long as we have had records (the 14th century I think?) have never dropped out the the Top 50 mens names in England. But others like Daniel, Joseph, Edward, Michael, David, Alexander, George etc also haven’t dropped out the Top 100 since the 1900’s at least. There are some wonderfully timeless choices for boys about- imo it’s much harder for girls names in that regard.