Davy or David Jones?

[James]

Watching "Getting Davy Jones" on DVD recently I noticed that in the closing credits the former Monkee and Marcia prom date is credited as David Jones instead of Davy, as the episode title says. I also remember that he was credited as David on NBC's The Monkees.

Did the former Monkee prefer the name David for his name to be listed as such in the credits?

[scott_bolger2001]

Well, Davy is short of David, and David sounds much more official, so I guess he wanted his full name put in to the credits.

[Rich3]

One theory:

Before David Bowie became popular he changed his own last name from Jones to Bowie. That is a fact. It was probably when the Monkee's TV was originally airing. They didn't want two singers with the same name.

Davy probably started used David around that time as further discouragement for Bowie to use his own name.

Little did either of them know that Bowie would become the bigger star.

[Rich3]

Another theory:

Maybe he started out using David, and later went by Davy. This makes sense for two reasons: (1) It was a catchy name associated with some sort of pirate or sea legend. (2) The catchy name and short version of David fit in with the whole krazee 'n' care-free rock 'n' roll atmosphere.

[scott_bolger2001]

Originally Posted by Rich3

Another theory:

Maybe he started out using David, and later went by Davy. This makes sense for two reasons: (1) It was a catchy name associated with some sort of pirate or sea legend. (2) The catchy name and short version of David fit in with the whole krazee 'n' care-free rock 'n' roll atmosphere.

I like this one better

[tv star collector]

Yeah, I think "Davy Jones" sounds better because of the pirate connection. It's
more memorable.

[TV Guy]

My guess is that he just preferred to use his full name in print, rather than a nickname. Most people call me by the shortened version of my name, but I always sign my full name and use it in documents for work, etc.

Look at Bea Arthur - you always hear her referred to as "Bea", but she is billed as "Beatrice Arthur" in her two series.

[sixfingers]

Originally Posted by Rich3

Another theory:

Maybe he started out using David, and later went by Davy. This makes sense for two reasons: (1) It was a catchy name associated with some sort of pirate or sea legend. (2) The catchy name and short version of David fit in with the whole krazee 'n' care-free rock 'n' roll atmosphere.

Davy Jone's locker refers to the depths of the ocean, where anyone and any thing lost at sea winds up.

[TripperFan]

Originally Posted by TV Guy

My guess is that he just preferred to use his full name in print, rather than a nickname. Most people call me by the shortened version of my name, but I always sign my full name and use it in documents for work, etc.

Look at Bea Arthur - you always hear her referred to as "Bea", but she is billed as "Beatrice Arthur" in her two series.

This makes the most sense. Afterall, most people go by their nickname or shortened version of their name casually (i.e, I'm Catherine officially, but go by Cathie). I use my full name on any legal documents (i.e., government, my HR files at work, etc.).

As for the theory about the connection of the same birth name as David Bowie (David Jones), that happened YEARS before this ep was ever made. That happened after the show The Monkees was already popular and Bowie himself was just starting out. It was Bowie's call to change his name - not Davy of the Monkees since his name was already known. He could care less what Bowie did since he'd be the one everyone would think of using that name - not the newcomer.

[James]

Originally Posted by Pus$y Galore

This makes the most sense. Afterall, most people go by their nickname or shortened version of their name casually (i.e, I'm Catherine officially, but go by Cathie). I use my full name on any legal documents (i.e., government, my HR files at work, etc.).

Interestingly, my name is James and I go by that (just like on legal documents) and not Jim or Jimmy. All other Jameses I know go by the name Jim. I guess I liked James because it sounded more authoritative and formal, plus I used it on my school work.

Of course, I went by Jamie when I was younger (up until 19) and I HATED it, even if some adults (baseball player Jamie Quirk and weatherman Jamie Simpson with Dayton's WHIO 7) use it themselves! However, one of my friends on Facebook called me Jamie (we go back to grade school), but it didn't bother me.

[Marvo301]

Originally Posted by James

Interestingly, my name is James and I go by that (just like on legal documents) and not Jim or Jimmy. All other Jameses I know go by the name Jim. I guess I liked James because it sounded more authoritative and formal, plus I used it on my school work.

Of course, I went by Jamie when I was younger (up until 19) and I HATED it, even if some adults (baseball player Jamie Quirk and weatherman Jamie Simpson with Dayton's WHIO 7) use it themselves! However, one of my friends on Facebook called me Jamie (we go back to grade school), but it didn't bother me.

I have a nephew named James. He was called Jamie when he was little. Until he started preschool. There was a girl in his class named Jamie and from that day on he was James because Jamie is a girls name!

[Smartboy]

Originally Posted by Marvo301

I have a nephew named James. He was called Jamie when he was little. Until he started preschool. There was a girl in his class named Jamie and from that day on he was James because Jamie is a girls name!

Of course Jamies is a girls' name! Look at Mrs. Buchman from "Mad About You" and Tex McCorrmick's girlfriend on the Walt Disney movie!