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Original poster

so Gordon Browns first name is James - why do peopel not use first names/

81 replies

FluffyMummy123 · 27/06/2007 13:57

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OP posts:
NoodleStroodle · 27/06/2007 13:58

Because it would be quite funny having an R & B funk singer as PM?

SueBaroo · 27/06/2007 13:58

And why would he choose to use Gordon instead of James???

paulaplumpbottom · 27/06/2007 13:59

Maybe it was his dad's name or the same as another family member's.

Original poster
FluffyMummy123 · 27/06/2007 14:00

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OP posts:
meandmyflyingmachine · 27/06/2007 14:00

Is it a scottish thing? My grandad was called Peter, but always known as Alan. He had to be called Peter because it was the name of his oldest uncle (or something like that). Caused endless confusion with official documents. And when he was old and in hospital. He couldn't work out why everyone was calling him the wrong name...

DrNortherner · 27/06/2007 14:00

My Da'd firstname is James, his middle name is Clifford. Everyone calls him Cliff.

He says when he got so school there were 498 Jmaes in the class so teacher used middle names instead and it stuck.

How I was picked on as a kid for having a Dad called Cliff....

tortoiseSHELL · 27/06/2007 14:02

Ask me. My first name is not the name I use, because my parents in their wisdom preferred my middle name, but liked the 'flow' of the two names the other way round.

It has caused me ENDLESS problems, we even had to change bank account, and it took 3 years to persuade the bank to accept cheques in my name. Every time I go to an interview (job etc) they start off with my first name and I have to say 'Oh, well, actually my name is ....' which never gets things off to a good start.

I had nothing to do with the decision.

ArtichokeTagine · 27/06/2007 14:02

PPB - Its not his dad's name. That (rather amusingly) is James EBENEZER Brown

JoolsToo · 27/06/2007 14:02

I've only got one name - no confusion here

speedymama · 27/06/2007 14:02

There are 4 of us and only one has ever been called by his first name. My parents have yet to explain.

bakedpotato · 27/06/2007 14:03

DH's parents always called him by his second name.

DH insists this was 'normal' round those parts.

I think my ILs have some funny ideas.

Songbird · 27/06/2007 14:04

Dh is Robert Samuel Paul, known as Paul. Robert and Samuel were his two grandfathers, which is the way they do it in Ireland apparently. If we have a boy next time there's going to be trouble I can tell, as I'll definitely want to name him with the name I want first IYSWIM, and dh agrees because he's found it a real pain his whole life.

Ggrrr

Fimbo · 27/06/2007 14:04

Yes don't get it at all. Someone I know has called her dd Millie but they have put Amelia on the birth certificate. The child is never to be known as Amelia, so why did they not just put Millie on the certificate??

SueBaroo · 27/06/2007 14:04

Ebenezer Brown for chancellor of the excheq. I rather like that...

tortoiseSHELL · 27/06/2007 14:04

My mum gave me some tosh about it being a particular rhythm - with a fancy name which I don't remember - like Du-du-du DUUUUUH instead of DUH Du-du-du

Original poster
FluffyMummy123 · 27/06/2007 14:05

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MintyDixCharrington · 27/06/2007 14:05

my dh's whole family does this

you think they are called John or whatever and then you discover they are called Thomas

My DH uses his middle name - but for banks, air tickets etc you have to use his first one which the children think is hilarious

happystory · 27/06/2007 14:05

My ds is adopted. He had been given 2 names at birth, we wanted to keep them but we prefered the middle one and everyone knows him as that.

MintyDixCharrington · 27/06/2007 14:05

ps I stamped on that tradition for my 4

Aloha · 27/06/2007 14:05

I would never personally give a child a nickname as an official name, so I think it makes perfect sense to give her a proper name then use a nickname/family name. Then when she is a Dame she can be Dame Amelia, if she wishes.

paulaplumpbottom · 27/06/2007 14:05

Would anyone want a James Brown for Prime Minister. "I Feel Good" would plague him

tortoiseSHELL · 27/06/2007 14:05

Fimbo - I can see that - a friend of mine will use Tobias, but call him Toby, then he has the option.

I guess if Millie becomes prime minister, she might want to be Amelia?

jellycat · 27/06/2007 14:06

dh uses his middle name. My FIL chose his first name and MIL chose hs middle name. She never liked his first name and claims that as a toddler he too stated that he didn't like it so she started using his middle name and it stuck. It's a much nicer name anyway, I can't think why FIL chose the name he did (not going to say what the names are as someone on here will no doubt be offended ).

Aloha · 27/06/2007 14:06

My friend's father is called John, only his real first name is Brian. I think his decision makes perfect sense!

tortoiseSHELL · 27/06/2007 14:06

Don't do it (call by the middle name) if you have any compassion for your child. It has plagued my adult life.

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