Shortened versions of long name on bc

Everybody knows that one person who insists on calling people by there full names. Wether because they like to be pedantic or find it funny because it annoys the person or they are a dick.
At least if the full name isn't on the bc they will never have to put up with that guy.(never met a female who does this )

SumandSubstance, I've found the opposite. When I was in the final year of primary school, almost all the children with cutesy names changed to the more grown-up versions, as part of getting ready for secondary school. The Jamies became James, Danny became Dan, Nicky became Nick, Pip became Phillippa, JoJo became Jo and so on. It really seemed to be a active part of growing up.

I would always put a full or proper name on my child's birth certificate, even down to John on the birth certificate for a child I intended to call Jack, but that's because I'm very traditional (and a bit uptight) about that sort of thing. I don't think that that's what anyone else 'should' do, or that their children will be harmed by being 'cheated' out of a full name. I would think that, with possibly a few very cutesy exceptions, most people are likely to stick with what they have always been called anyway, rather than decide suddenly to be known as Elizabeth, having been Libby all their lives, for example. My elder son is 5. He loves the pet form of his name, by which he is known and hates the long form, bless him. While I hope his hatred will disappear in time, I can't imagine him ever choosing to be called by it!

As I said on a pp the only reason i didn't put my dd's full name is her aunts name. So therefore dp's sisters name. He felt it a bit weird so decided to go with the shortened version.
If when she gets older she prefers the full name. ( the full version sounds much more grown up ) I would be happy for her to use it

My DH was very out spoken on this recently as we tried to pick name for dc1. His theory being for official paperwork and 'grown up' life having the full name gives a better impression, for example on job applications/interviews.
I adore the name Maggie, would happily of gone for it as the name on it's own but he was adamant that if we chose that the bc would have to be Margaret. His thinking is you have to think of all stages of the baby/child/adults life and what impressions etc they might want to portray.
I do see his point, so he wins this one lol.

I wouldn't choose a nickname if I don't like the full name.

This is an interesting discussion because I am very pro full names on BCs but actually the name we have picked out for hypothetical DS2 is a diminutive - I'm all for putting the full name on the BC but DP doesn't like the full name. I'm considering whether the name in question has crossed over to become a name in its own right (as Jack, Harry, Molly etc have) or not. I think I might give up on the name because it would bug me later on.

That's such a good question funnyfarmer!

I guess when parents choose a shortened version of a name to go on the bc, I always assume it's because they didn't like the long version or any of the other shortenings and wanted to make sure that their dc was known by the shortening they chose. If someone chooses a long / full version of the name I always think they don't mind so much.

I tend to prefer the full versions so dc have more options, but if I had an Alexander, for example, I might be tempted to put Alex or something on the bc to avoid Xander, which I can't abide for some reason!

If a name can be shortened.
It's perfectly acceptable for a kathrine to choose to be called Katie, Kate, kitty, Kat.
Then why isn't it just as acceptable for a Katie to choose to be known as kathrine if they want to?

Sadie and Sally are shortened forms of Sarah

Molly is a shortened form of Mary or Margaret

Lily is a shortened form of Elizabeth, not Lillian as is often believed

If you put the full name on the BC and use the short version day to day, at least you can shout the Sunday name at them when you're truly exasperated.

Sally and Sadie were short for Sarah, weren't they? I think Molly was a diminutive of Mary.

It just seems quite simple - there is a bigger chance of everyone getting what they want.

e.g. you want Tom so -

1. you call him Tom. Child may grow up and really wish he could be Thomas for whatever reason. But he can't. You get what you want, he doesn't.

1. you call him Thomas. He's known as Tom from babyood as of course you set the norm as the parents. But when he grows up and wants to use Thomas for his work/stage name/with his own friends, he can. You both get what you want- there are simply more options.

I also know someone with a short form who hates that her parents gave her a 'nickname'. She goes by the long form anyway and has always dithered about changing it by deed poll!

What are the full versions of Sally, Molly and Sadie. I didn't know they were shortened names.

I gave dd a name I loved. It isn't a short version of a longer name, but it's a very short name ending in 'a'. I haven't met any other children with her name yet but have met so many with very similar sounding names. I sometimes worry it sounds a bit faddy, and that I've ruined her life chances (when I'm feeling particularly dramatic).

Dh has a short name. He didn't realise it was short for something else till he met me. My family sometimes call him the long name which he finds amusing. Then he tells his mum who doesn't find it funny.

Collette, Stacey, Nicole, just a few more names where you here the shortened version more than the full name

^Was replying to @29Palms ^

Why would people insist on calling you your old name if you've changed it?
My sil changed hers at 16. Her new name sounds nothing like her old name and nobody calls her by her old name.
It took a while for people to get used to. Even her own mother says she never thinks of her with her old name.

My name is a nickname and until I came on to MN I had no idea it was a problem, it's just my name and i have never wanted to be called a longer version because, well, that's not my name.

I was going to call DS Libby, it never occurred to us that there was even a longer name we ought to have been considering

DS1 has never been known as his full name, only ever by the shortened version. I really wish I'd just chosen the short version now. Maybe he'll use his full name later in life, I don't know. He doesn't answer to it when his full name is called at the doctor's etc though.

DS2 is often called by the short version of his name but he also gets the full name from everyone too. He personally prefers the short version, but that's solely because it is easier for him to write a 3 letter name than an 8 letter one (he's 4) 😀.

I think Polly and Molly, and Milly and Sally would be unlikely to even consider that they might have been Mary, Mary, Millicent/Emily, and Sarah. Harry probably wouldn't think he should have been Harold or Henry. Katie and Kate may not prefer Katherine, but might do.

But Lizzie, Jenny, Tom, Alfie, Evie, Ellie.... I still feel they're incomplete without having the long name option. Even if the long name option for Alfie is Alfred!

Not sure which version or part of her name Milly Molly Mandy should have been most upset with though!

Jack is an acceptable stand-alone name I think. Hmmm...there's not many I can think of other than that....Sue maybe (Although doubt anyone is naming a child Sue these days!).

It might also be worth considering that your children might one day live or work abroad. Most cutesy English nicknames don't travel that well imo.

To answer the op, most names, short forms or full names are 'acceptable'!

However, I love having a beautiful 3 syllable name as it has given me lots of nickname options amongst close family and friends, but at work I feel my full name sounds perfect.

I tend to find longer names beautiful and elegant. Personally I'm not a fan of the current trend for cutesy names like Alfie, Evie, Ellie, Teddy. I much prefer Alfred, Evangeline, Eleanor or Theodore and feel the full names give your children more options!