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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

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Original poster

Nicknames for Gabriel that aren't "Gabe"!

90 replies

Sparklies · 13/05/2011 15:45

Further to my post yesterday:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/baby_names/1213006-Still-stuck-between-two-names-and-now-two-weeks-old-Help?pg=1

Thank you very much everyone for your ideas! I actually added up the "definite Raphael"s and "definite Gabriel"s just as a matter of interest (the online equivalent of tossing a coin maybe) and it was 8 - 8 each. Argh!!

Anyway, given I do like Gabriel, I just have a problem with the nickname "Gabe" - so I said to DH if we can come up with a better nickname, we'll go with Gabriel Flynn.

Obviously when he's older we have a lot less control over who calls him what, but if he has an established nickname when he's younger maybe it'll make the difference. And besides, I don't have to call him "Gabe" unless he demands it of me and if that's the case I'll deal with it as it'll be his wish.

So what other nicknames are there/could we get away with? Somebody suggested Gabe pronounced "Gay-bee" which isn't too bad, but I wondered how realistically we could get away with say "Eli" (and if so, how would it be pronounced?) Would "El-lee" sound too feminine? Or indeed any other variants?

Thanks!! Almost there - you've all been great!!

OP posts:

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IHeartKingThistle · 15/05/2013 09:52

The Gabriel I knew at school had chosen Gabi, which is great.

TBH IME you get very little say in nicknames as a parent. If he or his friends choose Gabe, will you regret the choice?

I love all your names btw!

bootsycollins · 15/05/2013 09:48

Eli

SneakyBiscuitEater · 15/05/2013 09:47

Lovely name op. I like the brie and breel breels suggestions up thread.

JojoMags · 14/05/2013 20:00

Gib? pn g-i-b not jib

Hyperhelpmum · 14/05/2013 18:03

My Gabriel is baby G, GG bear or Gabriel. Some people have called him Gabs which I hate, Gabe is ok. Great choice OP!

olivertheoctopus · 12/05/2013 21:58

Right I'm freaked out now, I came on here to post a 'Magnus or Gabriel' thread and there are two threads featuring the names! I really like the nn Gabe though so not sure I have anything useful to add!

SE13Mummy · 12/05/2013 20:39

Gabriel Flynn is a lovely name!

FWIW, I have had a Gabriel in my class for the past two years (different classes, inner London primary). One is always Gabriel, the other one calls himself Gabby. No-one tried to shorten Gabriel's name and no-one calls Gabby Gabriel!

I also went to school with a Gabriel - he went by Gabs or Gabby.

mrsXsweet · 09/05/2013 19:16

Are his siblings young? If so, their mispronunciations may produce a nickname e.g. 'Abriel... Abe (as in Abraham).

erchissick · 09/05/2013 16:44

just a thought but why should a nickname be related to a first name anyway? My youngest is named Jack but his nickname at school (to the point that the teacher sometimes uses it too) is Timmy...

Btw, I Love Gabriel as a name.

BabesandJugs · 27/05/2011 11:47

I am also the proud owner of a Gabriel who has just turned 2.

He has a nickname which is nothing like his first name - it was just one of those silly moments as a tiny baby when i called him Gabri-Woo Mr Moo so Mr Moo somehow stuck! And yes when on holiday in Greece when he was 6 months old a lovley German family behind us on the beach were saying 'ahh they call their baby moomoo'

His nn as such is Gabey rather than Gabe!

But in all honesty it is usually Gabriel or Moo ;-)

rubybambini · 26/05/2011 09:58

I have a Swedish friend called Gabriel - his is shortened to Gabbe, pronounced Gah-beh.

freesias · 25/05/2011 12:48

congratulations lovely name good luck and enjoy your lo

Original poster

Sparklies · 25/05/2011 00:12

Thanks again to everyone! We went to the registry office today and he's now officially "Gabriel Flynn ThXXXXXX"..

.. Or "Gabriel" for short

Of course if he wants to be known as anything else like "Gabe" or "Gabby" when he's older it's entirely up to him, but in the meantime we won't be encouraging him!

OP posts:

somewherewest · 23/05/2011 14:09

Yes in Ireland Gabriel is a fairly common name for older men and was traditionally shortened to 'Gay', although this is now dying out for obvious reasons :) The unfortunately name Gay Byrne is indeed a very famous Irish chatshow host.

KittyBigglesworth · 21/05/2011 18:35

I remember the Gay Byrnes (spelling?) Show used to broadcast in the UK in the nineties. He was an Irish journalist/interviewer.

PilgrimSoul · 21/05/2011 08:01

The nn here, Ireland, would be Gay. Very popular in the 50s, unsurprisingly unheard of since.

ManicAnnie · 15/05/2011 09:12

Gabriel is a lovely name.

I know two Gabriels.

One is a teenager and his nickname is 'Gee' (to friends) and 'Breels' at home (this is what his little sister called him as a young child).

The other is 6 yrs old and is only ever known as Gabriel.

Curlygirly · 14/05/2011 21:39

Our Gabriel is called Gabes. Only one person calls him Gabe and his sister always calls him Gabester.

sonniebonnie · 14/05/2011 21:05

You seem to prefer Gabriel - I think you should go for it then. Nice choice imo!

suzikettles · 14/05/2011 20:45

My friend's ds is called Gabsy by family and Gabber by his friends.

Carrotsandcelery · 14/05/2011 20:42

Was it on your previous thread that I said that in some areas of Scotland the nn for Gabriel is Gibby? I have very warm and lovely memories of my dh's Uncle Gibby - lovely, lovely man.

Blu · 14/05/2011 20:34

Just call him Gabriel. The one I know has no nickname, and no-one calls him Gabe.

Cloudydays · 14/05/2011 20:30

Sounds like your mind is made up and Gabriel is a really, really lovely name :)

But, though I understand your concern that Raphael conjures images of little olive-skinned, dark-haired boy, I feel compelled to say that a little red haired Raffy (for short) sounds GORGEOUS.

Original poster

Sparklies · 14/05/2011 00:09

Thank you very much everyone - especially reassuring to hear from parents of other Gabriels or people that know them. I do think it's a lovely name. I do love Raphael as well, but as mentioned, I think Gabriel probably just works a little better given his red hair.

Plus calling him "Gabriel" means that DD2 (2) won't have to stray too far from her current lovesick call of "Baaayyybeeee!!11!!11!!" as she just has to substitute a G for the B

Lots of good ideas for nicknames, although I am hoping I will just get used to "Gabe" if it becomes necessary! Surname begins with "T" so "GT".. sooo tempting to call him G&T! "Mother's little helper"..!

Anyway the registry office has been booked for 24th May so we still have a bit of time to change our minds and come pester you all again but hopefully we won't have to.

Thanks again!!

OP posts:

dottyaboutstripes · 13/05/2011 22:27

I have a Gabriel (6) and he is ALWAYS Gabriel outside of home. I had thought maybe his friends would call him Gabe/ Gabey but no - always Gabriel.

At home, as others have said....Gabe/Gabes/Gabey/Gabs/Gabby/Gabbywabbywoo/BabyGabeyWabey :o

FWIW I didn't like Gabe either when we chose Gabriel (TOP name, which I just adore) but somehow it happened and I like it now!

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