Am I the only one who hates shortenings?

Well that's your answer isn't it? People's tastes differ.

I see so many of these faux naive "I just don't understand X" "I don't get why people do Y" threads on MN - not just baby names but a whole range of things. Very rarely is it genuinely a complete lack of comprehension as to why someone would do X or Y - generally it's just something that isn't to the OP's personal taste, inevitably discussed with a distinct air of superiority. It's disingenuous and self-indulgent.

Obviously this is not an important example at all, but it's just silly. It's not that you "don't get!!!!!" the simple fact that people like different sorts of names. It's that you feel that your approach is the right/proper/traditional one and anyone choosing differently is just following the latest "craze".

Most people called me by my shortened name growing up, but when I started work I started introducing myself as the full version, so now my colleagues/newer friends (and my OH!) know me as long version, while my family and old school friends know me as short version.

I'm very glad I had the option to choose though, because I prefer the longer version these days.

It's like some people start with a nickname or shortening and go from there rather than choose a name and let the shortening or nickname evolve afterwards. That was my point.

what's wrong with that OP? Just as that causes you to 'scratch your head', the fact that this bugs you makes me scratch mine.

Ok basically what mamabeak said

"I still think I would always suggest the child be given the fuller form for formal use (later) or to have a range of options later in life."

Meh, my son goes by a shortening 99% of the time, the 1% being docs/dentist/nursery forms etc.

I don't care if anyone cares, to be honest.

We did discuss just using the short version on BC, he was the short version before he was the long version, but basically ended up using the full name to please his great grandparents and give more options in the future if he ends up disliking his short name.

I do not like shortenings, ordinarily. I particularly hate shortening to one-syllable, such as Bri, though I do not mind it nearly so much in names like Bill, or Kit, or Mike, or Bob.

Even so I would probably prefer the full name to be used most of the time with a few notable exceptions (Maggie). I particularly do not want my son's name (Alexander) shortened and eve,n more particularly do not want it shortened to Alex. Nor do I like my own name shortened.

Having said which if we are talking Elizabeth or Catherine or Salvatore or Solomon but perfer to use (as with Maggie) the Eliza/Liz, Katy, Sal, Sol form, I still think I would always suggest the child be given the fuller form for formal use (later) or to have a range of options later in life.

I feel like you should name your child a name you like, not just one that you can derive a likable nickname from? I personally gave my children names that cannot be shortened, simply because I like the name and that's what I have called them.

Good for you.

But (and here's the shocking bit) it's possible that some people might not think exactly like you. I know!!

What's with all the judgery on here at the moment? How about everyone just picks the names they like for their children and butt out of other people's choices?

I know what you mean. My ds is Theodore but everyone calls him Theo. I loved Theodore but even we hardly use it anymore. He also has a nickname - Teddy Pom-Pom - who, iirc, was a Pomeranian dog from the circa 1990s 'driving school' programme - he belonged to a lady called Mo who couldn't pass her test. I do hope that in future he at least occasionally uses his full name.

At junior school the teachers called my 3 by their full names - yet secondary they are called the short versions - registers have 'known as' names now - so it's consistent

Their friends all use a short version -

One kid in DD class insists her name is Honey because that's what her mom calls her - her real name is Alisha - mind boggles

I gave my two boys the shortened version of their names because I loved them over the longer ones (think Sam and Ben).

When I'm cross they get called Sameul and Benjamin*

*Not their real names.

On the flip side I know a teenage Jake who is Jacob on his birth certificate despite his mother hating the name Jacob with a passion, the father insisted on having that on the birth certificate. After everyone calling him Jake for 16 years he's now decided he prefers Jacob and has adopted that on social media etc. So at least if you put the full name on the birth certificate you're giving your child more choice.

My name is what those on here consider a nickname. Until I came on MN I had no idea people would give their children one name and call them something else. I have never in my life felt that I needed "options" . My name is my name and I have never ever spent a nano second wishing that my parents gave me the longer version of my name because that, erm, isn't my name.

My name is 8 letters long. It can't be shortened in any way - People have tried to shorten it, but it doesn't work at all.

My sisters name is 7 letters long. There are loads of different ways in which it can be shortened. She always introduces her full name - Sometimes people shorten it BUT there's only one shortened version that she'll accept. She doesn't mind our parents/me shortening it, but extended family (who she has hardly any relationship with) are not allowed. She tells my and her own friends that we can call her (shortened) version if we want. None ever have.

The only thing I dislike is when she tells people to call her by her full name and they deliberately shorten it OR she offers them the shortened version she likes and they choose every other shortened version apart from that one.

I have a fairly "classic" long name which is commonly shortened. I like the short version and have gone by that since I was about 12. My email signature at work has my full name but I will sign off with the shortening.

MelvinThePenguin is your daughters name Evangeline? 😊 (Amazing if I'm right)

I must say, I would have let a beloved 'nickname' name go, if it meant I hated the longer version. I'd have to be happy with the long version.

I have an aunt who refuses to call dd1 by her nickname, but who pronounces her birth certificate name incorrectly. She tells us she uses it 'because it's her name', which is fair enough, it is her name and I like it a lot, but not the way she pronounces it, and especially not as she has a daughter called Alison who she only ever calls 'Ali'

Why is Samuel/Sam fine but Alexandra/Alex not?

Both my DC have long and short names. One we knew we would always shorten, the other has developed into a particular shortening.

I like that they have the choice.

I also get why people just want Kit, Betty etc.

However, I never understand why people act as if this a modern thing and kids haven't been called Matthew/Matt, Stephen/Steve, Elizabeth/Liz for generations.

I was always made to feel 'wrong' for not wanting my babies names to be shortened!! Now they are adults, my daughters gets shortened by her friends and even I have been known to use the shortened version on occation (think Liz instead of Elizabeth!) but generally all 3 are known by there full names

My sister however has shortened/changed each of her 3 daughters names and I cant get into calling the girls by the new names!! So they scowl when I use their 'proper' names and its not deliberate, the new names just dont come naturally!