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Original poster

Preferred Name?

31 replies

HeyGoat · 17/02/2026 08:15

After a bit of guidance please for a preschool form (which will then become his primary school). My son has a long name and then a shortened name we use day to day. For example along the lines of Thomas-Tom, Matthew-Matt and we rarely use the long version.

On the school form we have the option for a “preferred name” - do you suggest using it or assume the teachers will naturally do it?

OP posts:
Original poster
HeyGoat · 17/02/2026 08:29

Mulledjuice · 17/02/2026 08:23

So baffled by this post.

Why would you not put "preferred name" in the box specifically for it when you have described the exact scenario it is there for?

Also as we have a colleague at work whose preferred name is on his email, but he’d have “preferred” for official reasons to have his full name. So didn’t want similar for DS (although he doesn’t have an email….)

OP posts:
Original poster
HeyGoat · 17/02/2026 08:25

It was more as on paperwork etc he’ll have his full name so I didn’t want the preferred name to change that.

OP posts:
GaspingGekko · 17/02/2026 08:24

I would only shorten if told to do so. If there was a form specifically asking for preferred name and no shortened version was put in there I absolutely wouldn't shorten the name.

Mulledjuice · 17/02/2026 08:23

So baffled by this post.

Why would you not put "preferred name" in the box specifically for it when you have described the exact scenario it is there for?

1000StrawberryLollies · 17/02/2026 08:22

Tbh I don't see any reason why you wouldn't put it on the form. What would be the downside of doing so? Some children are known by a shortening and some aren't. How is the teacher supposed to know if they aren't told?

Whyhaveibeencutoutofmamsnot · 17/02/2026 08:19

Please put preferred name. Teachers get a lot of stick if they use the wrong shortened version. Even to the point of criticism eg saying sheeeeeela rather than shelaaaaaaaa.