"Jack" for a boy? - Page 2

[MammaB21]

Originally Posted by Qbear'smama

DH and DD both love the name Jack and I am getting positive feedback from others, but I am not so sure. Isn't Jack really a nickname for John?

No. John is a nickname for Johnathan and Jack is a nickname for Jackson. But I think both John and Jack are fine names by themselves. It wouldn't be like Bobby because that is a rather uncommon nickname for the name Robert. (Rob or Robbie would be much more expected). John and Jack are so commonly used that they are now their own names as well as nicknames.

With that said, I would never chose it because it's just not our style. It's way too 'common', 'plain', 'traditional' however you chose to describe it. If that's your thing, go for it.

[Qbear'smama]

Originally Posted by JessieBird

I love it and I think it is officially a name in it's own right, no longer only a nick name for John.

However... it is SUPER popular here. I'd even guess that it is the most popular boy's name (age 5 and under) in my immediate area. Honestly, I think I know more than 10 - no exaggeration. More keep popping up including my cousin's newborn. As far as I know, they are all simply Jack (not Jackson or John).

I think it has something to do with John having been so common for the last century - so many people have a dad or grandpa named John that they want to pay tribute to.

Awww, JessieBird, we live in the same area!!! Darn it, I had no idea it was so popular around here!! I will have to think about this new piece of information...

[LZP]

Love it. I do think of it as a NN for John, but I think you could simply name your DC Jack, there's no requirement that says you HAVE to use John or Jackson. it might be a little more popular than in the past decade, but it's not crazy popular around here... if you all love it, that's what matters! go for it!

and FWIW, i have all good associations with the name Jack too. Makes me think strong, caring, charismatic and independent but not aloof.

[Banana731]

Originally Posted by busymama77

it's a strong name and a simple name.

ITA. Love it! And FWIW, I have only actually met a couple of Jack's in my life. I'm 30.

[poppan]

I love the name Jack but it is hugely popular in my area as well as with people I know outside of area (i.e. people I only keep up with on Facebook). I feel like there are lots and lots of little boys named Jack now, even though growing up (I'm 35) I knew only one Jack. I think names like Jack and Henry are really making a comeback.

FWIW I think of Jack as a name in its own right as well as a nickname for John. Maybe I'm kind of casual like that. I don't really like "Jackson" but that's just me (no offense intended to anyone with that name!).

[2xy]

Originally Posted by MammaB21

No. John is a nickname for Johnathan and Jack is a nickname for Jackson.

I've never heard that John is a nickname for Jonathan (or Johnathan). John and Jonathan are both Hebrew names with slightly different meanings....John means "God's grace" and Jonathan means "God's gift."

Jack has been a nickname for John in the past. Like another poster said....think of JFK. The name John has been around for a long time....there's even a whole section of the Bible that's allegedly written by someone named John.

[mrs.pennyapple]

My fiance and I have been having the same debate! We like the name Jack, but we don't want something "trendy." We didn't even realize it was until we saw it on a "top" names list. I think we would choose it anyway, because we really like the name that much. Good luck deciding!

[JessieBird]

Originally Posted by Qbear'smama

Awww, JessieBird, we live in the same area!!! Darn it, I had no idea it was so popular around here!! I will have to think about this new piece of information...

Oh yeah! I've noticed your "location" on other posts and thought you must be from Quebec! I am in the Outaouais/Ottawa area, in a small town that is 50/50 Fr/Eng (so more Eng than most of QC). Jack might not be as common in other parts of the province or even in the rest of Canada for that matter, and it may just be a coincidence that my circle of friends/family have gotten so hooked on the name. It's easy to see why though - I think it's a perfect boy's name. Being short makes it cute but it's also rugged and intelligent and confident - all very good things!

[Qbear'smama]

Originally Posted by JessieBird

Oh yeah! I've noticed your "location" on other posts and thought you must be from Quebec! I am in the Outaouais/Ottawa area

Me, too, live on one side work on the other, hence "between" the two solitudes...

[olive&pimiento]

I have a John Thomas ___ (also a very common last name). We call him Jack after his Grandfather. I just love the name, especially for little boys. It brings back memories of my dad reading me nursery rhymes before bed!

[WifeofAnt]

Jack seems good to me. I'm not too picky on popular boy's names although it seems Jackson is now more popular than Jack.

The current trend is that its pretty popular (top 50) but starting to decline again. Jackson hasn't been this popular before (top 20). Based on just that I'd pick Jack over Jackson.

I also see Jack as a standalone name, after all it was one of the main characters off of LOST!

[Stitches]

Jack is a nickname for John, but I don't see why you couldn't use it in it's own right, it's a nice name. I liked Jim on it's own rather than James but DH said no.
When giving a boy a traditional name that has a nickname though, you need to think about the fact that William Robert might sound nice until someone points out that the kid is 'Billy Bob'.

[Funny Face]

I love the name Jack but it's way too popular for me to ever consider using it.