Is having a couple named Jack and Jill too cliche?

Question

I'm writing a short story in which the main character's name is Jill. That won't change. But she has a boyfriend who I am trying to name. He's not going to be permanent, cause her real love interest is already in there and they'll end up getting together in the end, and he doesn't have a Mother Goose reminiscent name.

But so what are your thoughts? If not Jack, then what other names do you like to go with Jill? I haven't set too much personality yet, so I'm very up for suggestions.

Thanks in advance, and remember, a two word answer won't get you ten points!

Answer 1

If you insist on Jill, then Archibald should free you from the bonds of the commonplace.

Answer 2

I think Jack and Jill is a very cute couple name, it'll actually add to the character of the couple in my opinion. If they're going to get together in the end, you WANT them to sound like they're meant to be together!

Answer 3

I use to have a classmate whose parents were named Romeo and Juliet(a). So if names that 'match' from some other source work in real life I think they could work in a story. Sometimes I write stories too and names are really unimportant to me.

Answer 4

I like Jack! I like that she'll be tempted to think they're perfect for each other and it's meant to be, but it's not because you know she has a true love. Then she'll realize that Jack was just a childish crush-type relationship, and her true love is her "grown up" relationship. No more games, no more crushes, no more messing around. I think it's perfect.

Answer 5

How about Jill & Taylor? Ryan?  

Answer 6

Not necessarily. I think what's more important is that the name fits the character. Typically, they won't be referred to as "Jack and Jill" in a story anyway.

Now, since he is not "The One" she ends up with ;), you could actually use the "Mother Goose-reminiscence" as a comical element to illustrate how they are wrong for each other. You could do this directly in some dialogue or in her inner monologue, or more indirectly in a ways that it simply reflects the predictability or humdrum nature of their relationship, for example.  So it could actually work for your purposes in that respect.

Except for couples in major literary works of a romantic nature (Romeo & Juliet, Catherine & Heathcliff) or popular fiction (Scarlett & Rhett), I don't think of the names of the people in couples together in that way.

Otherwise, a Johnathan or David or Chris or Mark are all names that are common and have a similar "feel" to them as Jack if you want to avoid the issue altogether. :)

Answer 7

Jack is a good name...I don't have any other good name that goes with Jill, other than Jack. The names of Jack and Jill have become a cliche...and this reminds me of a nursery song.. (Jack and Jill went up the hill to fetch a pail of water. Jack fell down and broke his crown and Jill came tumbling after.)

Answer 8

It is unless you can get some comic mileage from it. His name is Jonathan, and Jon is just fine for his nickname as far as he's concerned--and it also underscores the distance between them.

Answer 9

I wouldn't say cliche, as that means it's over used.  Jack and Jill aren't overused per se..... just a well known couple in a nursery rhyme.

As for a good name, that's really 100% up to you since you're the author.  I'd suggest going to a baby name website or something and just skim thru them, pairing each one with Jill until you find one you like.

Answer 10

I think it's a little on the cliche side.  Male names that I think go well with Jill:  Mike, Randy, Dennis