what are your thoughts on 'John'? And what do Johns get called other than Johnny?

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One of the names we've had in mind, if DC2 turns out to be a boy, is John. But it feels a bit formal for a small boy and I'm not crazy about 'Johnny'. Any alternatives?

And just generally what springs to mind when you think of the name? Are there stereotypes attached to it?

Thanks, all

Lovely name, I don't think it's too formal at all, it has a 50s small boy feel.

Do you like the nickname Jack?

DS(7) is John, the only abbreviation he has ever had was at Kindergarten on the continent when some children called him "Johnnie Boy'', luckily it ddn't stick.

There's always Jon

My brother in Jonathan and has only ever had the nn Jon. Only my DD, his niece, is allowed to call him Jonny

DH's grandad is called John James formally, but everyone always calls him Jack.

DH's dad 9not related to above grandad) is called John and has only ever been referred to as John.

Doesn't strike me as overly formal, just a nice wee name for a boy and also good for a man

What about Jonathan, which can then be shortened to John, Jon, Jonny, Jon Jon, JJ, Jonty?

The first thing that springs to mind is Johnathan?

You could alway's give him a J middle name and his nn would be JJ

Thanks for the feedback - keep it coming!

butadream thanks - I hadn't thought of Jack as a nickname for John, don't dislike it but not crazy about it either.

sowhat yes, I bet he was glad when that wore off! Nice to hear of other Johns

John is easy for a young child to learn to write/spell and doesn't really date.

I have a friend who is a John and everyone calls him Jonno

Ooh, x-posted with lots of people. Thanks, folks.

momofnearly2 - yes, we wondered about initials, in this case it'd probably be JP - does that work?!

sowhat yes, I love the fact it doesn't really date

dairymoo like jonathan, not sure whether DH will be keen though, will ask him tonight!

Well, my DS is a John ..... but we always call him Johnny as we love it

In fact, we chose Johnny, but wanted to have a 'proper' name on birth certificate and I much preferred John to Jonathan.

I think its currently one of the most underused, classic boys' names.

Oh, and I know of a JP too!

Well, my DS is a John ..... but we always call him Johnny as we love it

In fact, we chose Johnny, but wanted to have a 'proper' name on birth certificate and I much preferred John to Jonathan.

I think its currently one of the most underused, classic boys' names.

Oh, and I know of a JP too!

oops ...

I love John , had it in mind for ds.

Not keen on Jonathan though

I like Johnny

jonno jojo jonty

Willaims

Oh, that went horribly wrong...JPR Williams

Thanks, Marm

ggirl I like jojo very much actually. Was wondering if Joe was ever used as a nickname, it fits v nicely with our surname.

sowhat couldn't get that link to work for some reason.

Ahaa - got it that time, thanks sowhat - in good company then!

Def an underused name (but guess that makes up for being so overused in past - aren't there more men called John in House of Commons than there are female MPs?)

Joe is short for Joseph. You could get away with Jo at a pinch (but that's more often used for girls). I've seen Jay, and there is I guess Jock, or yu could use both first and middle name, although possibly that's even more formal. I suspect if you find it too formal you'll just find him a un-name related nick name when he is small (many of us do this regardless!). My ds's middle name is John, I think it's a fine name, with no particular stereotypes attached.

nooka that's exactly what I was saying to DH last night, I bet we'll just ended up calling him something completely arbitrary as a nickname and it'll stick

Johnner?

I love the name John and think it is a great name for a small boy.

DP is a John - he is Johnny to all his family, however emphatically John to all those outside the family.