If you use short version of your name always are you pleased to have long version anyway

[yellowflowers]

Still struggling over whether to give our forthcoming baby the short version of long version of the names we like - in both boys names and girls names we would use the short version every day but DH thinks they should have long version. I don't want to say the actual nmes but they are not silly short versions - could be names in own right.

eg

Jon/Jonathan
Sam/Samuel
Ellie/Eleanor
Beth/Elizabeth


If you use a short version of your own name are you pleased to have the long one for official purposes anyway?

[HelenaRose]

I am grateful the longer version of my name is on my birth certificate. It would feel silly ringing up for official purposes and saying, for instance, "Nell here!"

[fel1x]

Definitely glad to have longer version. It makes me feel more professional when applying for jobs etc and for official letters I write. I think it's quite important to have the option

[Mercedes519]

We went with Amelia/Amy for DD so she had a long name if she wanted it when she's a grown up.

Two tests, can you imagine shouting across the park? (how does it sound) and imagine them running a company and introducing themselves (can they be dignified and grown-up).

So I would agree with your DH, gives your child options.

[Ineedsomesleep]

Yes, I usually use the short version of my name but I sort of save it for the people I like. If its for business type things I always use the long version and I'm very pleased to have it. The short version would sound too twee.

Anyway, this is a MN favouite topic and I'm sure you'll get the most responses for "give them the long version".

[Rockbird]

Yes, very pleased to have the long version. TBH if I had been called the short version I'd add in the long version anyway and bugger birth certificates (where legal!)

[Thissideofchannel]

By giving your child the full version of a name, you're giving him/her MORE options, why would deny him/her those?

I have a 3 syllable name but have been known by various nicknames throughout my life, by different people (e.g. schoolfriends, husband, work colleagues etc), so I am very grateful for those options.

I also think that this current 'fashion' of cutesy names may end soon and so all the little Archies, Alfies, Tillies etc may well grow up wishing they had been given the full version of their name.

[rachel234]

Unless you really hate the long form, I don't understand why you'd NOT give your child the long form of a name ...

[Astrophe]

Yes, pleased to have the longer version (and would like to revert to it really, but the nickname has well and truly stuck now )

[yellowflowers]

I don't hate the long version but long version is
more an acquired taste than the very pretty short version for the girl's name. I favour short version but dh favours long version.

For the boy's name dh favours short version and me long one. But dh is worried short version not totally obvious and therefore if more than one in class
they would end up not being preferred name but getting called long version instead.

[Hedwig3]

I would not like to have a name that nobody ever wanted to use.

[jellybeans]

No I don't like it. I only ever get called the long name at doctors etc or on exam certificates and it just seems weird. I sometimes wish I was just given a name like Jane which can't be shortened and doesn't have several short versions. I gave my DS the short version of a name as few people liked the long version and what would be the point.

I think it depends, though, if it is a strong or harsher short name like Ben, Sam, Zac etc then it seems better than a cutsey one like Alfie, Archie etc. In those cases it may be better to consider the long name. Short forms are very popular these days, looking through the name stats for last year Sam/Ben/Alex/Jake/Tom are very popular in their own right and Zac/Zak is more popular than Zachary. So your little one will be surrounded by others with shortened names.

[ElephantsAndMiasmas]

I like having a longer name too. Use the short one every day with friends/family/at work etc. But the longer version feels far more official on e.g. degree certificate, official registration for things etc.

[ElspethDiggory]

Yes definitely. I always use my full name for business things and really love it although it is a bit of a mouthful so everyone (apart from my mum) calls me my shortened version.

[sparklyrainbow]

I hate the long form of my name and have never used it except on forms etc- agree with jellybeans.

[DreamTeamGirl]

Much better to have the long version for when you need it
Would hate to be just short one- sounds unprofessional

[mopsyflopsy]

I love having a nickname as well as a more formal 'proper' name. My nicknames have changed over the years, as I've moved, but I've always preferred my full name for professional purposes.

I really don't understand why you wouldn't give a child the full name, it gives him/her more options, not less. Unless, of course, you really dislike the full name. In which case, it may be worth considering a different name, one whose full and nickname versions you love .

[1percentawake]

Yes - although I never use long version!

Had big fight with DH over giving DS a long version of his name as he said we would never use it. TBH I don't think DS suits the long version - yet!

[Teds77]

I'm pretty much known by my nn but always prefer my full name for professional stuff. Also, in my case, I actually think my proper name is nicer though on balance am glad I have my nn as it's less formal !

Some nns lend themselves to being names in themselves better than others. I think I'd hate to have my nn on my birth certificate but from your suggestions above you could properly get away with them all.. though the traditionalist in me wouldn't be a fan of just Sam or Ellie.

[Teds77]

That should be 'probably'

[ChunkyPickle]

We've gone for the short version only (long version is very old fashioned, and don't like it, but love the short version) and I still have pangs of doubt over whether it was the right thing to do.

Most people seem to assume that he's really called the long version, so I also worry that I'm stacking up problems for him in the future..

learn from my mistake - go with the long for the official version

[1percentawake]

ChunkyPickle - we changed DS's name to the long version about 6 months after he was born - is very easy under 1 yr of age. I eventually wore DH down about it...!

[Pinkjenny]

IMHO - I was given the short version of my name - can you guess it

I wish I was called Jennifer, it would go so much better with my married surname. My name (christian name + surname) was recently voted one of the worst EVER.

Please give the long version.

[TrillianAstra]

Yes, always better to have the option. And I always go by my short name.

[Ooopsadaisy]

Joseph told me quite forcefully at the age of 4 that his name was now Joe. We were quite happy with this as we expected it to be shortened because it seems to happen naturally.

My Mum is Caroline and no-one but my Grandpa (died in 1991) has ever called her Carrie. She makes that quite clear (politely) to anyone who tries. My other half tried to call her Cazza once and got a glass of wine poured on his head. Feisty woman, my Mum.

I think it's a good idea to give the full version of the name and then let the child decide during it's life whether it wishes to use it or a shortened version.