Cool Baby Name of the Month - Jackson
Monday, September 29, 2008 at 08:51AM I was excited last week about Creative Neesh and her fantastic name posters that would brilliant decorations in any kid's room. Back then I showed an example of her work using the name Jackson and mentioned that I might blog about it later. Well, here we are.
I think parents are naming their children Jackson in droves because is such a 'name of the moment' with its linkage to the very trendy but solid boys name Jack and a tip of the hat to the 'last names first' trend these days. Here is a bit of an expose about it as the first 'Name of the Month' in aaagggggggeeeeeeees!
So... Jackson, literally 'son of Jack'. Jack the basis of this name, is a diminutive of the traditional number one name in history, John. For me they are all 'on the land' names but they are completely different characters. To use a 'cowboy' example, John is the cattle farmer and Jack is the rustler. Jackson on the other hand is the fly-by-night rodeo rider.
Jack itself is cool, and consequently far more popular than John these days. In Australian it is THE number one boys name and has been since 2004 when it took over from Joshua's decade of supremacy. Jackson, the longer version of the name, seems to appeal to parents who perhaps think Jack on its own is a bit too popular and they choose the appendage 'son' for its extra sophistication?
In America, Jackson is ahead of Jack in the popularity ranks. It stands to reason that it is slightly more popular in the US, there were a couple of American presidents named Jackson, a fab Motown band and of course the thrilling pop star. Also apparently a brand of guitar. 
Image courtesy of deviantART.
Jackson Pollack, mentioned incidentally in one of my first blog posts, may have been an inspiration for the move from last name to first. Or perhaps it is growing in popularity as parents turn to maiden names to honour family history?
In Australia Jackson isn't quite as popular. I think perhaps it is because it could seem a bit 'Hollywood' to some parents. Jack has a more down to earth feeling than Jackson, and 'down to earth' is considered more acceptable in Australian culture. And I personally feel that in this case the 'son' extension seems a tiny bit contrived? Don't get me wrong, it is still a solid name but not my favourite of the last names first set.
Generally I like the jaunty 'son' extension, but there are names for which I am not convinced. For example Jameson I like, Dawson I don't. I like Lawson but not Robinson. Wilson but not Tyson. Harrison is ok-ish but Jefferson not cool. Some I just don't know what to do with; Dennison, Garrison, Nelson? Others I wish people would be brave enough to use outside of tv shows; Emerson, Anderson, Judson, Watson, Grayson, Gibson.
I would love to hear other opinions on the idea of using the 'son' last names as first names.
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Reader Comments (8)
I just found out that a girl I know had a baby named Jackson (he joins big sister Evan).
When I heard the name, I just kinda went: "Oh" with a little bit of a sigh. It's not that it's bad, but I hear it all the time, and it's lost all ability to "wow" me. I like Jack better, it feels sturdier and spunkier to me (and it's less common here). But, I prefer John to all of the above.
I get you Alicia, totally agree. Are you US based? I like Jackson, I prefer Jack, but John is the 'real' name.
I love Evan as a girls name though! Not really heard as a girls name here in Aussieland.
Tara
I love the name Jackson, in fact it is one of the top names on our list for boys! Dh Grandfather was Jack and we thought it would be similar but different!
I have to agree with Alicia it is starting to lose it's wow factor
I keep going back to "son" surnames as potential second names, Anderson and Paterson being the ones in our family. We named our daughter in honour of my MIL and Paterson was her maiden name. Anderson is my mother's name and I'd love to use it as recognition of my grandmother but then what about my Dad!? Damn family politics.
I'm anti-popular names, but love Jack, I think I can go with it as it would be a "family" naming, after my husband's second name John.
Yes, I am USA based. Evan isn't too heard on girls hear either, I think my friend is a special case. Though I have seen Evyn on a girl before...
I've never loved it, but never hated it. I definitely prefer girly/feminine names.
oh Alicia, I forgot to say that I came to your blog, I love that it is called Indiegirl, that is my nickname for my eldest daughter!!
haha. Someone suggested it for me. Since I tend to like more Indie/artsy things, and I'm from Indiana. It sounded good to me, so I ran with it.
I used to really like the name, but it has definitely lost it's luster. I'm not overly keen on Jack on it's own, I have a thing for the longer names. And John is a family name, so nearly every second person in my family has that name including my dad and brother, so yeah not going there as a first name.