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Baby names

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

Original poster

Charlie or Matthew?

34 replies

RudyTuesday · 11/10/2014 18:26

Me and DH only like two boy's names - Charlie and Matthew. So when our son arrived last week and I was lying in the recovery room we decided to go with Charlie Matthew.

However I'm finding myself tripping over the name when I talk to him or refer to him. Just doesn't seem to be sinking in. DH says the same.

Am now wondering if we should flip the name. Feel ludicrous cos we told everyone.

Has anyone else had similar problems getting used to a name?

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EmilyGilmore · 14/10/2014 01:03

Oh, and don't feel bad about changing it. I know two people who've done it this year alone!

dontevenblink · 14/10/2014 00:44

My 2 year old is called by his full name, Matthew, 99% of the time, apart from the occasional Math from his siblings which is the nickname they chose themselves. Never Matt. No one we've met has tried to shorten it either.

It definitely does take time to get used to a name on a baby, I've had that with all 4 of mine, I think newborns just don't really suit a name until they start to get a bit older. Dd2 is almost 6 weeks old and although I love her name I am still getting used to calling her it and keep thinking about other names I could have chosen, but I know I have been the same with all the others and now I couldn't imagine my first 3dc being called anything else!

TheHorseHasBolted · 13/10/2014 21:37

I love Matthew (and Matt, not so much Matty but I don't actually know anyone who goes by that) so that would be my first choice. I kind of like Charlie but not quite as much. I also think the "flow" of Matthew Charles/Charlie sounds better than the other way round so if you're already leaning towards Matthew, definitely just flip it around, nothing is set in stone till you register it!

Sophronia · 13/10/2014 00:07

Matthew.

grufallosfriend · 12/10/2014 08:34

Charles Mathew sounds great imo! I'm not so keen on the 'eeu' sound at the end of Mathew.

JadziaSnax · 12/10/2014 00:31

I prefer Matthew. DS(8) is Matthew, he suited the name even as a newborn. Some of his friends call him Matt but he's quite firm about not liking Matty though.

Matthew Charles sounds lovely.

WanderingTrolley1 · 12/10/2014 00:26

Matthew.

CarriMarie · 12/10/2014 00:22

Prefer Matthew, and think Matthew Charles flows better.

squoosh · 11/10/2014 22:55

Matthew really isn't my favourite name in the world at all but try it out if Charlie doesn't seem to fit.

iloveaglassofwine · 11/10/2014 22:26

I have a Matthew, he has grown into his name (though at only 3 he has more growing to do!), I think he'll always be Matthew to us but I fully expect that he will be Matt to his mates as he grows. Go with what feels natural op, sometimes it takes a while for their names to seem theirs. And congratulations on your new arrival Smile

Iheartautumn · 11/10/2014 22:25

Matthew

CiderwithBuda · 11/10/2014 22:21

Matthew. But I'm biased!

Mine is def a Matthew at home but has been Matt at school for a couple of years now. I don't mind it and even use it myself sometimes.

bakingtins · 11/10/2014 22:18

Matthew.

rubyflipper · 11/10/2014 22:16

I have a Matthew - and his name is definitely not shortened to Matt by anyone.

ICanTuckMyBoobsInMyPockets · 11/10/2014 22:14

I have a Charlie and had I known there'd be so many I would have called him something else. I now know 6 Charlie's born in the same year Sad

Matthew is lovely, it doesn't have to be shortened, at least not until he goes to high school.

Squirm · 11/10/2014 22:11

Matthew.

CPtart · 11/10/2014 21:27

Matthew by a mile.
Charlie should be Charles, too many ie names, Alfie, Archie, Freddie, etc etc.
Matthew Charles is nicest.

ProbablyMe · 11/10/2014 21:10

My DS1 (now 17) is Matthew. I always loved the name, when I was pregnant I was adamant that I hated "Mattie" and "Matt" - within a day of delivery he was Mattie and I loved it and still do.

tuffgingernut · 11/10/2014 21:06

Just to add don't worry too much about Matthew being shortened to Matt. I have a Matthew who is 9 we only call him Matthew as he prefers that. All his friends refer to him as Matthew too with the occasional Math thrown in. They have no idea that Matt and Matty are short for Matthew.

moxon · 11/10/2014 20:47

BTW we were umming and ah-img btw two names so tried both for a few days, then finally picked one, called DC it for a day, still felt a bit odd, tried the other one and it worked perfectly. Can't imagine it otherwise now.

rubyflipper · 11/10/2014 20:16

Matthew

CJScarry · 11/10/2014 20:14

Charlie

moxon · 11/10/2014 20:10

I'd say register it as Matthew Charles, and call him Charlie for a while. If it still doesn't work in fortnight, start calling him Matthew. :)

ElphabaTheGreen · 11/10/2014 19:33

I've never been one for using nicknames as proper names i.e. 'Charlie', 'Alfie', 'Harry'. It would need to be Charles Matthew or Matthew Charles for me, then use Charlie as a nickname (because that's what it is). But I prefer the name Matthew Charles. Flows better.

Original poster
RudyTuesday · 11/10/2014 19:26

We originally moved away from Matthew as we don't like associated nicknames - matt, matty.

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