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Baby names

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

Original poster

Tommy (not Thomas)

92 replies

AnnabelleZippy · 08/10/2016 20:02

Opinions? Smile

It's in the top 100 (I believe) so I don't agree with the comments of it not suiting adults, etc. as there will be quite a lot of Tommys who will become adults!

So, general thoughts?

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FannyWincham · 12/10/2016 09:52

I used to teach a rather troubled, angry young man named Tommy. From about y6 onwards he hated it, and found it babyish and cutesy (he had a point).

Problem was, it was his given name, and our register system displayed given names instead of preferred names. It meant that every single time he met a new teacher, they would innocently call him by the name on the register and he would be irritated, making it really difficult to forge positive relationships with him. He just wanted people to call him Tom.

Don't think about sweet baby Tommy (who can still exist with the given name of Tom). Think of the hormonal 14-year-old that he will be sooner than you think and give him a break.

engineersthumb · 12/10/2016 09:25

I think that it may be a burden to carry through life. I can't imagine it in a professional setting. Our children grow up oh so fast so whilst it could start well it may be a millstone much longer. I quite like Thom as a suggestion earlier though he will spend his life correcting the spelling:)

SeekEveryEveryKnownHidingPlace · 12/10/2016 09:05

No, I really don't like it. If you hate Thomas, you could name him Tom and then call him Tommy while he's little, maybe? Makes me think of Tommee Tippee, Tommies in the trenches, Tommy K, and Trust Tomy!

MummaBear31 · 12/10/2016 08:57

Tommy is lovely, choose whatever you like. He is your baby.

I have a Walter and you can imagine some of the reactions we have had to that! Can't worry what others think Hmm

Barefootcontessa84 · 12/10/2016 08:49

No - not as a standalone name.

DixieNormas · 12/10/2016 00:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Buntysoven · 12/10/2016 00:24

I'm not overly keen but baffled as to why Tommy is thought of as so bad when, just as a pp said, there are so many little Alfies Freddies Berties etc running around. No worse surely?

sonlypuppyfat · 11/10/2016 19:12

I love it so much I named my cat Tommy, but for a grown man it's as bad as Timmy

passingthrough1 · 11/10/2016 12:06

If you won't put Thomas on the BC then I wouldn't.

I think children should be allowed to choose their own nicknames and grow into and out of names as they get older, choosing a nickname name for life is a bit funny. Plus I don't think they age well .. I can't see a prime minister Tommy but I can a Thomas. It's like putting 'Dave' on a BC or something.

FannyWincham · 11/10/2016 02:45

If you dislike Thomas, name him Thom or Tom and have him known as Tommy. There's no rule that nn have to be shorter than given names.

FormerlyCatherineDeB · 10/10/2016 23:21

Per upthread, my very old Dad has always been and still is Tommy to everyone, friends, colleagues, family, foes Grin.

Tommy on his BC and Tommy ever since!

Seekingmiracles · 10/10/2016 22:46

Don't get the need for a 'formal' version on the bc. He will become his name.

Not generally a name I like though - I've only ever known VERY naughty Tommys! And he will become Tom as he gets older... so bear that in mind.

Pipilangstrumpf · 10/10/2016 22:30

Too cutesy imo.

Crunchymum · 10/10/2016 22:19

We have a Tommy in the family. He is Tommy. Not Tom or Thomas. He's in his 20s and it's his name. No issue with full names / diminutives et al.

TheTroutofNoCraic · 10/10/2016 20:13

I have a Thomas (1yo) and think it's up to him whether he wants to be Tom Tommy or Thomas when he's old enough to decide.

However, have no issue with Tommy as a given name. Surely it's no different to all the little boys with Charlie, Freddie, Harry etc as given names?

Sugarpiehoneyeye · 09/10/2016 10:10

No.

DHsnet · 08/10/2016 22:24

I'm a Tom (Thomas to family) and people only ever called me Tommy if they were trying to take the piss.

I've known loads of boys/men caled Thomas and none have EVER chosen to call themself Tommy. I did know one who grew up as Tommy but demanded everyone start calling him Tom at about age 14. I'd wager that 90% of those Tommys in the current top 100 you mentioned will end up doing the same thing.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 08/10/2016 21:45

Tommy is not great.

Tom is,

FormerlyCatherineDeB · 08/10/2016 21:43

My lovely Dad, 78 years old, professional career all his working life (M.Eng, really senior government job for most of my life) has been Tommy since he was born.

I love it because I associate it with Dad who is one of the nicest people I have ever met - I appreciate him more every day.

So, a massive thumbs up from me.

Ohdofuckoffplease · 08/10/2016 21:37

Cross post with porto there.

Ohdofuckoffplease · 08/10/2016 21:33

I don't really like Tommy personally. It sounds like a pet name to me (not as in the name of a pet, a 'pet name' for a human Grin)! I've heard worse though, and he can always change it to Tom for everyday use when he's older if he decides it's a bit cutesy for him.

I do really like Tom as a full name btw and am actually not terribly keen on Thomas. I think Tom sounds nicer.

Portobelly · 08/10/2016 21:33

Our son is Tom. Not Thomas. It is a Hebrew name in its own right.
Thomas: biblehub.com/greek/2381.htm
Tom: biblehub.com/hebrew/8537.htm

Sophronia · 08/10/2016 21:29

I like it, but only as a nn for Thomas, sorry.

katemess12 · 08/10/2016 21:02

I know siblings who are Maddie (short for Madison, though) and Tommy (full name). People do assume his name is Thomas, but it's no drama.

I personally prefer Thomas, but Tommy is perfectly fine.

GrumpusLumpus · 08/10/2016 20:38

No, sorry. I don't like it at al as a full name. I don't like any names that have been traditionally used as nicknames as full first names.