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Baby names

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

Original poster

Avoiding common shortenings

34 replies

17caterpillars1mouse · 22/09/2017 14:54

Love Tobias but strongly dislike Toby.

I always seem to have this issue with boys names, love the full name here the common shortening.

Do you think a Tobias could avoid being called Toby by the majority of people?

Would also love to here if anyone have some of relatives that have a name with a common shortening but they just use the full name

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Gizlotsmum · 22/09/2017 16:56

Persistence is the key. We have a Charlotte shortened to Lottie not Charlie... it gets easier as they tell people themselves...

Twickerhun · 22/09/2017 16:55

I have a long babe that neither my parents or I like the common shortening of (think Rebecca / Becky, but I prefer Rebecca or Bex). You have to be persistent in how you introduce your child and have lots of common responses to corrrct people, like we call him Tobias not Toby, or oh he doesn't recognise the name Toby as him as we don't use it.

Twinkie84 · 22/09/2017 16:55

Lovely name! My 4 year old is called Tobias! He dislikes Toby and will tell anyone who tries to call him Toby that it's not his name!
I am the same; liked Tobias but can't stand Toby! Stick to your guns and just repeat that he is Tobias and not Toby!!

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 22/09/2017 16:51

Too much of a risk if you hate it.

chugging · 22/09/2017 16:50

I knew a Tobias who was called 'Bias by his close friends and family.

PandorasXbox · 22/09/2017 16:48

You can absolutely have a name that isn't shortened. You just have to be persistent to the idiots who constantly shorten it.
They get it in the end.

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 22/09/2017 16:12

If you don't like Toby scratch Tobias.
What are you going to do when he's 21. Tell him he can't shorten
his own name.

Needalifeoverhaul · 22/09/2017 15:02

Haha! Funnily enough my ds is called Toby as full first name as disliked Tobias but loved Toby! I think may be a bit trickier for you though in regards to people taking it upon themselves to shorten Tobias to Toby. Hopefully though, people wouldn't without first asking...and they should follow your lead of calling his full name. Not sure I've been any help there OP!

Original poster
17caterpillars1mouse · 22/09/2017 14:54

That should be 'have a son or relative'

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