WIBU to have DS's known as name at school as 'Bear'?

[JacobLuke]

DS is called Jacob. He always got called Bear Cub (ending of Jacob is a bit like cub) and now just Bear really. He goes by Bear at swimming

WIBU?

[Ameliablue]

Yes

[GeillisTheWitch]

What does DS think? Personally I don't like Bear or Teddy as names, too twee but given he has another name to use when he's older it's not too bad as a nickname.

[ChristianGreysAnatomy]

Yes. Let him use his actual name at school. If he wants to ask his friends to use his nickname he can do so.

[Mumzypopz]

Yes, it's silly. Kids are going to laugh at him.

[Justmadeperfectflapjacks]

Jamie Oliver yes.
Chezza just about.
Mners - just no!!

[JacobLuke]

Kids don't laugh at him at swimming and none of the Teddys in the world get laughed at! But fair enough DS likes it

[witsender]

Surely he and the other kids decide the nickname?

[thirstyformore]

There's a "Bear" in my daughter's yard at school. Can't remember what his real name is. I think it' sounds a bit but everyone calls him that.

[PhoebeBee]

Yes.

Call him by his actual name!

[georgjensen]

Does bear go with your surname? or does it become comic?

Bear Front, Bear Day etc

[thirstyformore]

year

[skincarejunkie]

I'd ask DS first. Go with whatever makes him happy. He will have his "proper" name on the register but school will be able to go by Bear if you all agree.

[Muumi3]

You can mention it to the teacher, but I wouldn't do any more than that. Lots of kids move on from their baby nicknames when they start school

[Okite]

Oh I'm in a minority here then! If that's what he's known as, then I don't see any reason why not. There are quite a few kids at my children's school who have an official 'known as' name rather than just an informal nickname.

[EvonneGoolagong]

Don't do it! Let kids call him a nickname but don't make teachers do it too!

[Floralnomad]

No , tell the school his proper name and leave the nn for family / friends particularly as it's not really even relevant to his actual name .

[Halle71]

My little boy is Alexander but everyone calls him Buddy. Literally everyone. Forever.
We didn't plan it and I used to laugh at people who 'made up' name for their kids but it just sort of happened.
But he also knows he is called Alexander and this is what he is learning to write at nursery. He doesn't seem confused about it which I did worry about.
He starts school in September and I'm going to leave it as is. DD is there so a lot of people know him already as Buddy, and I'm going to tell his teacher his nickname and kind of leave it to him.
He's bloody minded and will let them know what he wants.

He kinda carries Buddy well though.

[Storminateapot]

It's cute when they start school but when they grow up a bit, not so much. One of my sons has a fairly common name and there were 3 of the same name in his class, so the school decided to allocate 3 different versions of the name to them without consultation. Think Benjamin, Ben and Benny (but not). My son was given the babyish version and it had to stick with him until he left at 9. He was heartily sick of it by then.

Pet names are for family and close friends, it's like wanting your child called BooBoo because that's what you call him at home.

[Ulysses]

No way. People will think you are copying a celeb name bandwagon especially if it's not his real name.

[Supersoaryflappypigeon]

Meh-whatever floats your boat. DD is Elsie but I call her stinkers

[BrutusMcDogface]

I know a Junior who asked to be known as his "real" name when he started school. I think I'd also have him as Jacob but he can be called bear by his friends/family if he wants! Perhaps the swimming people think you've actually given him the name Bear?! 🐻

[missiondecision]

Official name for school
Otherwise it will b confusing
I had a nickname that was used at school
All my official school stuff was in my proper name due to birth certificate and registering for school. At times teachers didn't know who I was, supply teachers would call from the register and it was weird to hear x when I was being called y.
I felt stupid for not having a normal name like everyone else.

[TippyTinkleTrousers]

I don't see the problem with him being known as Bear at school.

I would ask him and go with what he wants.

[Floggingmolly]

Yes, of course you're bu!

[MaisyPops]

"Known name" in my experience is when there is a preferred diminutive or for whatever reason the child goes by their middle name (e.g. I taught a student who was Umm-e 'main name'. But the Umm-e bit wasn't used in general life in their culture so their preferred name was 'main name'.

Their known name will come up on registers etc and will follow them through school. Personally, I'd use their actual name or recognised diminutive for the official forms and then just introduce your child as Bear to the teachers.
E.g. this is Jacob but we call him Bear most of the time but we wanted to keep the forms with his actual name.