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AIBU?

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Original poster

To not like nicknames as full names?

210 replies

newuser9632794 · 18/05/2024 01:17

Some (secondary school aged) children in my family have nicknames as full names and as they grow older I feel the names suiting them less and less.

Some of the names,

Melly
Stevie
Bobby
Ali
Ricky

AIBU to think that naming children nicknames doesn't age well and that full names on the birth certificates are more fitting?

OP posts:
Fridgetapas · 18/05/2024 05:55

My second has a diminutive and I absolutely love his name - I don’t like the ‘full’ versions and are nothing like his name at all!

My first has a long version of a name and it’s naturally shortened sometimes. We call him both versions as we like the full name and the shortening.

Im personally of the belief it’s a bit odd to put something on the birth certificate if you are Never going to call them that full name ever.

SquashPenguin · 18/05/2024 05:19

They aren’t nicknames, they’re diminutives. My baby is due any day and if it’s a boy he’s going to have a very normal name on paper but go by a diminutive day to day. I think it’s important to have the option especially as an adult.

Caspianberg · 18/05/2024 05:18

Mine has shortened version of a long name. It’s not the cute version though. I didn’t see the point in long version that I didn’t like and wouldn’t use

It’s similar to Tom as official name instead of Thomas. It’s a normal name imo, and has Tommy as cute version or nickname, Thomas isn’t needed, as Tom is fine as a Doctor name

supersonicginandtonic · 18/05/2024 05:12

One of my daughters is Penny, it's also that on her birth certificate.

Original poster
newuser9632794 · 18/05/2024 02:30

I agree @FarmGirl78 @DramaAlpaca

It just seems to be so restrictive also.
Melly is very "cutesy"
Bobby would be much better as Robert and then they have so much more room to pick a nickname should they wish.

I'm imagining when they're older and applying for something. What is your name? "Ricky", what's your full name? "That is my full name"

Obviously some traditional "nicknames" have now become common as first names eg David (although I still prefer Dave)

OP posts:
Original poster
newuser9632794 · 18/05/2024 02:24

Airyfairy99 · 18/05/2024 01:19

What is Melly short for ?

It's not short for anything, these are the names on the birth certificate.
But traditionally I suppose it would be short for Melissa

OP posts:
DramaAlpaca · 18/05/2024 02:20

FFS, read the post! OP has clearly said Melly etc is on the birth certificate so not short for anything.

I tend to agree with OP, but I'm willing to accept I'm old fashioned. I like classic names, preferably short enough that they don't lend themselves to diminutives. That's what I did with my DC, anyway.

There's a trend these days for diminutives/short forms of names as given names. Note - they aren't nicknames, those are different and unrelated to actual names, like Ginger or Shorty or something. Diminutives, please.

I don't like the trend for diminutives personally. I mean, call him Freddie if you absolutely must but at least put the more dignified Frederick on the birth certificate.

But then I'm old and traditional, and I have to accept that naming styles change.

FarmGirl78 · 18/05/2024 02:08

Airyfairy99 · 18/05/2024 01:19

What is Melly short for ?

Melissa
Melody
Imelda
Amelia

FarmGirl78 · 18/05/2024 02:06

I was always taught that you should have a full name which will sound decent being read out in court. If you're a barrister it will make you sound like you deserve to be in such a position. If you're the criminal it will make you sound like you don't deserve to be in such a position.

Full names don't ever have to be used in everyday life. But they're good to have.

Airyfairy99 · 18/05/2024 01:19

What is Melly short for ?