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Jack - are there just too many?

20 replies

TopSop · 08/12/2009 15:53

We've just found out that baby no. 2 is going to be a boy, which has kind of thrown out all our name planning (we'd got girl names all decided, but no boy names).

On the way home, DH said he would like baby to have his favourite grandfather's name as a second name - it's Afrikaans and rather unusual so wouldn't really be suited as a first name. Thinking along the same lines (and so that we don't offend my half of the family!) both my grandfathers were called John, but my favourite grandad was known as Jack.

It's a good solid name, would go well with our surname, would go well with our DS's name (no confusion with first initials), there isn't another one in the family... but are there just too many Jacks out there for this to be a good idea?

Help! obviously we've still got weeks and weeks to decide on a name, but DH would so like to use his grandfather's name, and I feel like I'd like to remember my grandad too....

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doubleexpresso · 08/12/2009 16:21

'Tis very popular still - Jacques ?!!

jellybeans · 08/12/2009 16:25

I think when some names get 'too popular' they get abit boring. Saying that, I don't know that many baby Jacks, they are all Alfie or Charlie. I would use it if it has special meaning.

Fimbo · 08/12/2009 16:26

I don't think it is as popular as it was say 5 or 6 years ago. I don't know any baby Jacks but do know lots aged 6 and above.

Fruitbatlings · 08/12/2009 16:28

I have a Jack and a Charlie but popularity doesn't bother me. I like nice simple British names that everyone can spell and pronounce. Having said that, some people ask how I spell Charlie. It seems to be a the new thing to spell it Charley these days

Jack is a fab name and will never date.
I actually don't know any other Charlie's or Jack's under 8 years old.

tvfriend · 08/12/2009 16:29

Here in SW London haven't come across a single baby (or toddler) Jack

Fruitbatlings · 08/12/2009 16:29

SW London here too

Fruitbatlings · 08/12/2009 16:30

My baby Jack must be the only one in SW London

Clary · 08/12/2009 16:32

Jack has been the most popular boys' name in this country for about the last 8 years, so go figure.

(That said, among my DCs' close acquaintance there is only one! as compared to about half a dozen each of James, Matthew and Oliver. Where are they all???)

MrsJohnDeere · 08/12/2009 16:32

Very popular in my little bit of Herts. I can think of 6 in my village alone (population c. 290), one a teenager the others babies/toddlers.

oldwoman · 08/12/2009 16:34

Only one in DS's class, but 3 x Joshua !

If you like it, use it.

Even with a less common name, you can get 2 in the same class, just luck really.

It's popular for a reason!

3ReindeerandNoRedNose · 08/12/2009 16:36

My Jack is a 'John, known as Jack', named after both his grandfathers and his great-grandfather who was known as Jack too. There are only two Jacks in his school of 220 pupils so not so popular here at the moment.

StayFrostyTheSnowMam · 08/12/2009 16:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ChickensHaveNoTinsel · 08/12/2009 16:38

I have a Jack, and he is one of 6 in his year! You know what? I couldn't care less. I love the name, it suits him.

birdofthenorth · 08/12/2009 16:46

My stepson (7) is Jack. There's one other in his class of 26. I hear it used towards other kids a lot in the supoermarket/ swimming pool, but it's not like there's 4 in every class. Our Jack was named after his grandad too, and it means a lot to DH, and we all love his name. Jack loves it too, and surprisingly LOVES all the ways you can play with it (Jack-in-a-box, Jackanory, Jackson, Jack-the-lad, Jack & Jill, Union Jack, etc etc).

Plus you'll never struggle to find anything personalised when buying Jack mugs/ door names/ baubles etc!!

Never mispelt, never mispronounced, sweet for a boy and strong for a man. There are a lot worse names out there.

birdofthenorth · 08/12/2009 16:50

PS our Jack has a less common middle name, and we sometimes call him by both when shouting him for dinner etc, which is something to consider if you're worried about Jack not being individual enough on his own.

MamaLazarou · 08/12/2009 17:07

YES

loobylu3 · 08/12/2009 17:11

It is a good solid name. To answer your question, it depends where you live and it depends whether or not your son being one of 2 or 3 in the class with the same name would bother you.

BalloonSlayer · 08/12/2009 17:16

Where I come from there is probably one Jack in every class of thirty. And one or two Joshes, three Thomases, one or two Jameses.

It's not the most common name around here at all.

bellissima · 08/12/2009 18:34

Another vote for 'John called Jack' (my grandfather). Gives the chap a choice and brings back a fine name.

BettyButterknife · 08/12/2009 18:42

Even though it's the most popular name that still only accounts for something like 8000 a year - like others say, it's luck whether you end up with lots surrounding you or not.

I know a toddler called Jackson which could be a good compromise, if you wanted something slightly different that could still be nn Jack?

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