We are a nickname family; this child won’t be called [name_u]James[/name_u] or [name_m]Thomas[/name_m], he’ll end up with a nickname like his older sisters and brother.
I really like [name_u]Jem[/name_u] for [name_u]James[/name_u], though it’s not that far off [name_m]Jim[/name_m]. [name_u]Jazz[/name_u] could work, or [name_m]Jas[/name_m], and I’ve also heard [name_m]Jimbo[/name_m] used. [name_m]Even[/name_m] [name_m]Jam[/name_m] might work, though it’s a bit off the wall. You could also go down the initials route and get to JJ or [name_u]JO[/name_u] (= [name_m]Joe[/name_m]) or JB or JC.
I really like the NNs [name_m]Tam[/name_m] and Tammo for [name_m]Thomas[/name_m], particularly Tammo. If you’ve read [name_m]Brian[/name_m] [name_m]Jacques[/name_m]’ Redwall series (more specifically The [name_m]Long[/name_m] Patrol) that might appeal even more. Again, going down the initials route, TJ would work, or something like [name_m]Tigger[/name_m] for TG, or even Ted for TD. But that’s kinda stretching it.
Some of these may be a bit of a stretch.
[name_u]James[/name_u] - [name_m]Jam[/name_m], [name_m]Jas[/name_m], [name_u]Jem[/name_u], [name_m]Jake[/name_m], [name_m]Jack[/name_m]
[name_m]Thomas[/name_m] - [name_m]Tomkin[/name_m], Tas, [name_m]Matt[/name_m], [name_u]Toma[/name_u], [name_u]Toby[/name_u], Tomo
[name_u]James[/name_u] - Ames, [name_u]Maj[/name_u], [name_u]Jace[/name_u], [name_m]Jax[/name_m], [name_u]Jamie[/name_u], [name_m]Jacques[/name_m], Jio, [name_u]Jess[/name_u]/[name_u]Jesse[/name_u], [name_u]Jaz[/name_u] – maybe a middle name combo to create a nickname like [name_m]JR[/name_m], JB, JC, JT, etc?
[name_m]Thomas[/name_m] – [name_u]Mo[/name_u], [name_m]Moss[/name_m], Mott, [name_m]Tome[/name_m], [name_m]Tomi[/name_m], Tao, Tio, Mett, Temms, Tomney, Tams, “T”, [name_m]Ty[/name_m], [name_u]Sam[/name_u], [name_m]Tito[/name_m], [name_m]Titas[/name_m], or maybe a middle name combo that works out to TJ?
I think [name_u]Jem[/name_u] is used for [name_u]James[/name_u]. I prefer [name_u]James[/name_u] as a full name. Five letters, one syllable, doesn’t need a nn, unless a family name. [name_m]Tom[/name_m] the only nn I like for [name_m]Thomas[/name_m], and I also prefer [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] in full. I think [name_m]Tam[/name_m] may be used, but it sounds feminine to me.
You could substitute [name_m]Edmund[/name_m], [name_m]Edmond[/name_m], [name_m]Edwin[/name_m], [name_m]Edsel[/name_m] or [name_m]Edison[/name_m] for [name_m]Edward[/name_m].
Personally, I would consider using [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] or [name_u]James[/name_u] and make a point of not letting friends and family fall into the habit of using a nickname. I love the names [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] and [name_u]James[/name_u]. ( I have an [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] and [name_f]Katherine[/name_f] who are now adults and still go by their full names, although I have to admit [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] sometimes gets shortened to [name_f]Liz[/name_f]. )
[name_f]Libby[/name_f], [name_u]Charlie[/name_u], [name_f]Nora[/name_f] and [name_m]Thomas[/name_m]
[name_f]Libby[/name_f], [name_u]Charlie[/name_u], [name_f]Nora[/name_f] and [name_u]James[/name_u]
Other classic names that would work with your children’s names that you might want to consider…
PS. I have an [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] and [name_f]Katherine[/name_f] who are now adults and still go by their full names, although I have to admit [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] sometimes gets shortened to [name_f]Liz[/name_f].
[name_f]Diane[/name_f], our current shortlist is [name_m]William[/name_m], [name_m]George[/name_m], [name_m]Henry[/name_m], and [name_m]Edward[/name_m] – all on your list of suggestions!
I think [name_u]Max[/name_u] could work for either [name_u]James[/name_u] or [name_m]Thomas[/name_m]. Otherwise [name_m]Jago[/name_m] and [name_m]Otto[/name_m] are my favorite unusual nn options.
