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Baby names

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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 Grin - you've all been great!!

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robincousins · 13/05/2011 21:26

mouse like you the "gay" nn as i think probably of all the nns a name could spawn it's the one that being so politically incorrect would have most teachers clamping down on any use of this nn in a derogatory sense iyswim

iph · 13/05/2011 20:48

Our Gabriel is known as just that to most of his friends/teachers at school, at home he is various Gabriel, Gabe, Gabey, Gabey John, Gibril, Gibley, Jib and Buddy Grin

I think possibly if you're having to over think it this much it might be best to go with Raphael (also lovely) or Flynn (don't think it's too similar to Catherine at all).

Mousesmummy · 13/05/2011 20:47

everlong - I dont actually like Patrick that much but dh loves it so . . . Our Gabriel gets Gabe sometimes from his sisters.
The whole 'gay' thing doesn't overly bother me - I reckon if kids are going to pick on a child they will always find something - I do find it strange though on these threads how many women love it but won't/can't use it because of their husbands?? What's that all about eh?

everlong · 13/05/2011 20:17

This reply has been deleted

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WaftyCrank · 13/05/2011 20:14

I have a Gabriel, he's 8 weeks old and currently Baby Gabey :D He mostly gets Gabriel though but I also quite like Gabe.

I also have a Joseph and whilst he does occasionally get Joe, I only call him Joseph as does his friends and teachers so I think it's possible to get away with just using the full name.

Mousesmummy · 13/05/2011 20:10

Everlong our son is also Gabriel Patrick Smile

robincousins · 13/05/2011 20:04

sorry a bit of a leap but how about glyn mixing gabriel and flynn

sorry i'm a bit nn obsessed as have been trying to find a nn for dd4 that is not bella

robincousins · 13/05/2011 20:00

does your surname start with a letter which when paired with g could make a nn as in gp etc

roundthehouses · 13/05/2011 19:32

Biel is the (very common) catalan nn of this name - pronounced Bee-el. Also Gabi though in english this is maybe a bit feminine?

GwendolineMaryLacey · 13/05/2011 19:27

Face it, if you call him Gabriel he'll be known as Gabe. There are no other nicknames, at least, none that don't sound contrived.

pinkhebe · 13/05/2011 19:05

Call him Gabriel. We have a Jonathan, we will call him this until he decides to change it (can't do anything about that!) He's 11, and is called Jonathan by his friends still. Names are not always shortened.

everlong · 13/05/2011 19:02

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everlong · 13/05/2011 19:01

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robincousins · 13/05/2011 19:01

sorry meant to say wondered about abe

robincousins · 13/05/2011 19:00

if you go for "G" he may end up as whizz which might be quite sweet especially on a little red head

robincousins · 13/05/2011 18:57

i'd also wondered about a but purveyor beat me too it although might cause confususion people thinking he's actually abraham

mrsmeadweed · 13/05/2011 18:51

I know a Gabriel, and he is known as Gabs.

PurveyorOfBaloney · 13/05/2011 18:41

How about Abe or Abey, I think the fit well enough. Abe is pretty cute actually Grin

thisisyesterday · 13/05/2011 18:37

I have a Gabriel and no-one ever shortened his name until I started doing it, then they followed suit, and I think this is quite normal

generally people don't use short versions of names unless they know the parents do it too.
Hence DP has a name that has a very common shortening that no-one has ever called him by because he doesn't like it and has never used it. He was known by his full name until he was at secondary school when he started using a different shortening.

anyway, our Gabriel goes under a variety of names. Gabriel, Gabe, Gabey, Gabes, Gabesy, Wailbriel (when he was little and miserable!) and the classic "Gayboy" which is how ds1 pronounced it when he was born Blush

ShoutyHamster · 13/05/2011 18:32

G is good.

Friend's little boy is Gabey so far - also like.

But, how much do you really dislike Gabe? Because it's one of those names for which there isn't really a very different obvious short form (not like, say, Bella or Izzy for Isabella). So I think the chances are very very high that he might end up as a Gabe regardless...

Very nice name though!

MsChanandlerBong · 13/05/2011 18:19

I agree - Gabriel is such a lovely name it doesn't need a nickname, but if you really want to shorten it I think G is good (and masculine!).

aswellasyou · 13/05/2011 17:40

Bri (pronounced bree obviously) is another option. But I would just call him Gabriel all the time. My daughter's name could be shortened but I wouldn't chose to unless she wants to.

whyme2 · 13/05/2011 17:38

I second G. It has a nice boyish tone to it.

wheniwishuponastar · 13/05/2011 17:32

G is the only nn i like the sound of so far. Gable is quite nice too - and cute - but not that short.

whyme2 · 13/05/2011 17:30

Use Flynn as his nickname/shortened name and keep Gabriel for sunday best.

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