We ended up naming our boy [name_m]Jack[/name_m]. We love this name! However, I’m starting to second guess if this was the right choice. Our baby is Mexican-American, and I’ve seen the looks on people’s faces when I tell them my son’s name is [name_m]Jack[/name_m]. He’s nine months btw. A nurse today said that “he doesn’t look like your typical Jack.” Did I pick a “too white” name?? His middle name is a Mexican name (Antonio).
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Also, I told my husband I was going to drop our baby off at grandma’s, and I caught myself saying,” I’m going to go drop [name_m]Jack[/name_m] off.” Guys. Please tell me I’m overthinking this!
I think [name_m]Jack[/name_m] is a great name and I don’t think it’s a problem unless you don’t love the name. But you do [name_f][/name_f]!
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I think [name_m]Jack[/name_m] may not lean overly Mexican [name_f][/name_f], but the heritage is in the middle name [name_f][/name_f]- and it’s fine to have an Anglo first name [name_f][/name_f].
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There a tons of famous Jack’s and it is a name that truly transcends time [name_f][/name_f].
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[name_f]Every[/name_f] name can have teasing potential [name_f][/name_f]- and I don’t think “drop [name_m]Jack[/name_m] off “ is going to ruin his life.
The name that you love is what matters, not what others think. I work in childcare and have first cousins [name_m]Jaxon[/name_m] and [name_m]Jose[/name_m]. They both have full Mexican heritage yet Jaxon’s name doesnt show it. And thats okay. I also have step-siblings that are half Mexican with first names that dont show their heritage but their middle names do. For example, [name_f]Kiley[/name_f] [name_f]Selena[/name_f] and [name_m]Cody[/name_m] [name_m]Leandro[/name_m]. Your name choices are your business only. Ignore them. [name_m]Jack[/name_m] will love his name as he grows up because you do (and because its a great name)
You’re overthinking it mama! Although I’m sure she meant well, the nurse’s comment about your son’s name in relation to his appearance was unnecessary. I don’t know exact numbers, but there are thousands of mixed race babies born here every year, with all sorts of names, some very popular (like Jack) and some not as much. In 2025, I think it would be really silly for someone to remark on a Mexican American baby named [name_m]Jack[/name_m], it’s a very common and classic name. I know Mexicans named [name_m]Anthony[/name_m], [name_m]Mike[/name_m], [name_m]Jon[/name_m], [name_m]George[/name_m], [name_m]Irving[/name_m], etc etc. And my son, who is also Mexican American but mostly passes for white, is named [name_m]Santiago[/name_m]. Your son’s name does not have to fit into a certain box. What matters is that you love it.
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This is also why you shouldn’t worry about the “J off” thing. It hasn’t stopped the many thousands of parents from using it before. If it was really that obvious / obscene of a reference it wouldn’t be one of the most popular names ever.
Am Australian (of mostly [name_m]Brit[/name_m] + Scandi heritage) so not a great help here in terms of your US context, but my view is that the nurse’s comment was a bit off even if it’s true that it’s not a typical Mexican boys’ name. Though it’s [name_f]English[/name_f], I see [name_m]Jack[/name_m] as pretty “international” and not “too white”. It’s a very friendly, affable and handsome name, including with [name_m]Antonio[/name_m]. It’s also solid name that is both a little rugged and a little debonair that works for all life stages. I wouldn’t change it. You son would also be internalising his name so unless you have a new name that incorporates [name_m]Jack[/name_m], I would be reluctant to change. [name_m]Jack[/name_m] [name_m]Antonio[/name_m] is a fabulous name.
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Meanwhile, my daughter is [name_f]Willa[/name_f] and I occasionally hear myself when I say “Willa will….”. It’s not the same stakes as “Jack off”’but it’s still something I have accepted as an extra cost of the name. I wouldn’t let this stop you settling into and enjoying the name. When you’re texting and when you think of it, you can just change to “drop off Jack”. But I think you’ll start to let that one go [name_f][/name_f]- it’s really not a thing in the scheme of things. [name_f]My[/name_f] brother is a [name_m]Jack[/name_m] (from Jackson) and it’s never been mentioned (and we’re a teasing family ).
[name_m]Jack[/name_m] is a great name [name_f][/name_f]- solid, classic but energetic with a versatile feel. So long as you love it, that’s the main thing. Plus, [name_f][/name_f] I’ve known such a variety of Jacks, that it really is one of those names where it feels tied to one kind of person.
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just know that this is a weird and unnecessary thing to say
[name_m]Jack[/name_m] [name_m]Antonio[/name_m] is a gorgeous name, you did a great job! Does it helps to remember that some people would feel the need to comment if you gave your son a ‘very Mexican name’ too, for example? [name_f][/name_f]You’re all good
J@ck Antoni0 is such a handsome name! He’s soft, timeless, outdoorsy, boyish and universal fitting a wide variety of different individuals. I think [name_m]Jack[/name_m] is universal and I wouldn’t be shocked to come across a [name_m]Jack[/name_m] who isn’t white I find that nurse’s comment very odd and inappropriate. In some ways [name_m]Jack[/name_m] gives me similar vibes to the likes of [name_m]George[/name_m], [name_m]Oliver[/name_m] + [name_m]Henry[/name_m] he’s a classic choice, universally liked and definitely used amongst numerous different communities. [name_m]Just[/name_m] reliable, sturdy, easy to wear name. The whole “Jack off” comment just seems a little nitpicking ultimately you can pick holes in any name really but I know tons of Jack’s and this has never been mentioned before. [name_f][/name_f] I think you’ve chosen a gorgeous name for your boy
We have a [name_m]Jack[/name_m] in our family and I’ve never once made a “Jack off” association- and we have very dirty senses of humor in my family. and I love the name, would totally use it if it wasn’t already taken by my cousin.
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and I love the name, would totally use it if it wasn’t already taken by my cousin.