Just interested to know something.

[sugarplumfairy28]

Why do people choose a (usually in my experience) a longer 'normal' name with no intention of ever using it to justify a nickname?

I just can't seem to wrap my head ahead it.

[RNBrie]

My dd has a longer normal name but we use a nickname at home. It's in case she wants to use a more grown up name when she's older. It also helped smooth relations with the grandparents who would have been a bit horrified if we'd just give her a nickname as a first name. It's totally up to her which she goes by as she grows up.

[AlmaMartyr]

We did so that DD had options later on in life. My name is similar and I'm glad that I can choose - I use the long version professionally and the short version informally.

[Pemba]

And you can call them by the long version when they are in trouble!

My own name is a 'classic' and I'm usually called by the full version, but my family always call me the shortened version. It's nice to have options, and I'd have felt shortchanged if they'd chosen to put the short version on my birth certificate. It just doesn't sound serious, IMO, though in more recent years the short form alone has become much more popular.

[Gruffalosfriend]

I actually wonder why people 'choose' nicknames in advance? In my opinion they should evolve naturally and often have little resemblance with the full name.

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

We have a very short surname, I like the fact it gives them a few options and a more interesting name

[TwitterQueen1]

We chose long names for each child so they could choose how they want to be known. Each one could be made into about 3 or 4 nicknames. Their choice.

I have a 3-syllable name but no-one ever shortens it. Ever. Because I won't let them. My choice.

[Sophronia]

To give them options of what they want to go by later in life. Because nicknames are often diminutives that can make people appear younger which could result in them being taken less seriously professionally as adults (e.g. people might see an Edward as being more professional than a Teddy). Because (I think) it's traditional. Putting a shortened form on the birth certificate seems to be quite a new thing.

[jaykay34]

I have a shortened version of a longer name because my mum couldn't see the point in using the longer version.

Everybody assumes my name is the longer version so refer to me by it. And to be honest, I actually prefer the longer version and wish I had that option - I feel I've been cheated out of a proper name !

[BackforGood]

you can call them by the long version when they are in trouble!

this

IME nicknames evolve - you can't really 'pick them' other than when they are tiny.
It's good to have a 'formal name' for some occasions.
It also gives the person choices as they grow up. Some 'cutsie' name the parents wanted for their tiny bundle of joy doesn't always sit well with a teen or a 40 yr old.

[SquedgieBeckenheim]

I like long names that can be shortened as it gives people options. DD has a 2 syllable name, we always use the full version but she has a choice of shortened names when she's older.
There are lots of long names I like, but would probably always default to a shorter name for "everyday use" but would put the full name on a birth certificate.
Historically it's always happened - the name on the birth certificate doesn't match the name used every day. It wasn't unusual in my grandparents day to be christened one name, but always be known as the middle name.

[sugarplumfairy28]

I'm not sure I was clear enough, I understand having a perfectly suitable name like, lets say Edward, they can then choose to be called, Ed, Eddie, Ted, Teddy, Woody, or Edward - OK that makes sense. It's a name with options.

But for a parent to say I want to call my child Fifi, but that is a 'stupid' first name, what can we put on a birth certificate that would make Fifi an obvious nickname for them, with no intention whatsoever of ever using the name on the birth certificate? It's one thing to give your child options, but it would seem a little odd if at a certain age, they then want to known by a name never used, they might as well choose any other name under sun for what it's worth.

A number of members in my family, not my generation though, go by both their first name and middle name. My Nan for example was called by her first name by her Mum and second name by her Dad, when she got to whatever age it was, she decided she liked the second name best, but she had always been known by that in some form.

[RNBrie]

Ah I see. My brother was given a first name and a second name and is known by a nickname of his second name i.e. Patrick Edward, known as Eddie.

The reason is my mum wanted a son called Eddie. My dad thinks it's a baby's name but neither of them much liked Edward. So they called him Patrick which they both liked but mum always called him Eddie which stuck.

He thinks they were mad. Everyone calls him Ed. You have a point Op!

[Jojo13]

Agreed! I had this argument with OH. Although regarding more shortened versions of names rather than nicknames as such.
I.e: I like Finn, but not Finley.
I think if you like the sound of a name, then I don't see the point in choosing the longer version just because...
(Understand the opinions regarding a more cutesy nickname though and having the option in later life, but don't understand the problem with the shortened names being called 'unfinished')

[Irontheshirts]

My DD has a short name that we lengthen for an everyday name. I don't think we have ever used the name on her birth certificate and everyone at school uses her lengthen name.
When she put her official birth certificate name on exam papers teachers questioned it. If asked about it she tells people her parents gave her a grown up name incase she wants to be a doctor.

[SausageSoda]

The majority of posters insisting that every name must have a nn seems to be a MN thing. Have never really come across it in RL.

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

But in your example of Fifi, OP, it makes perfect sense for her to be called Fiona on her bc. Particularly as Fifi is a fluffy kind of name and if Fifi became a DI in the police force, or an MP, or a doctor, surely she would want her name badge to read Fiona? If she's an artist or author, Fifi might well suit her better, much more bohemian. And it's a perfectly acceptable nn for Fiona which requires no explanation, than if her name was Beatrice but her parents called her Fifi.

[Joinourclub]

Because you name a person not a baby, and the cute baby name you like may not seem right when they are a 6ft rugby player

[sugarplumfairy28]

Thick but surely this is something that parents need to consider, it's a name for life. It almost seems like people are avoiding the responsibility and ultimately letting their child choose their own name later in life. If you are never called Fiona during your entire life, why on earth would it seem like a natural step to identify as that for the sake of a job.

My DD's nickname is Tiddles, and my DS is Squid, I think we can all agree neither are serious names and would not work well as an adult, but if they are never called by the name on the birth certificate, they will never identify with it, and you run the risk of them just changing their name altogether. To be honest I'm not keen on my name, but it is my name, and I think it would be so incredibly odd just to choose another.

[Pluto30]

Yeah, no idea.

I have a four syllable name and it's a pain in the ass. In my parents' defense, they never call me any of the shortened forms (although I introduce myself as a shortened form to people).

All of my children have two syllable names. The boys have traditional names, with traditional/natural nicknames (think Thomas to Tom, or Joseph to Joe), and DD has a name that has no natural shortening (think Mia). All names were chosen with my annoyance of my own long name in mind.

[INeedNewShoes]

I have a one syllable name that is thought of as a shortened version of a classic name, for example its the equivalent of being named 'Liz' instead of 'Elizabeth'.

I wish my parents had used the full version of the name. They left me with no options whatsoever!

[ACubed]

I totally agree op ! I had this debate recently, I love the name Bill but don't like William but was told it would be stupid to have just Bill on the birth certificate.

[HearTheThunderRoar]

I agree OP, my DD has what is viewed as a twee name on Mumsnet and is a nickname of a classic name.

There was a couple of reasons why I chose the nickname version on birth certificate, the classic name was top 10 and DD's name was practically unheard of back in the late 1990s when I had her, although the name has risen in popularity since then and is now top 100. It was also the name of a close relative I had and the name had a connection to DH.

Almost 18 years later I don't regret the decision.

[sugarplumfairy28]

I think that when you name a child, you have to be 100% sure that it is the best choice you can come up with, that it will carry them through their lives without it becoming an issue. I don't mean only having classic names, or sticking to longer names, but something that doesn't require them to an alternative. What is wrong with Bill? If that is what he will be known as, then it should be on the birth certificate and acknowledged as his name.

[KitNeutron]

Are you sitting down? Because what you're about to read might shock you.

DIFFERENT PEOPLE LIKE DIFFERENT THINGS. I know, surprising right? There are people in this world who will go ahead and do absolutely insane things like calling their child a name they like, without even thinking for one second that someone might not agree with it! I don't know what the world is coming to.

You don't have to agree with it, or even understand it, it's none of your business. If you don't want to do it, then don't.

[sugarplumfairy28]

KitI'm not shocked, not in the slightest, your answer is entirely predictable. There is absolutely nothing wrong with asking questions and trying to understand different things, as a society, perhaps we should be asking more questions. To say you don't have to "understand it's none of business", is to breed ignorance.

If someone is willing to venture an answer then so be it, if not then don't be part of the debate - don't shoot down the person who has the audacity to raise a question.