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Baby names

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

Original poster

What are the implications for changing my DC’s name to her nickname? Will she have to check the “changed Name” box on forms later in life? Etc etc

29 replies

Movingmoving1 · 23/09/2019 20:12

Without totally outing myself, DC has a nickname for a popular name that - in another culture (my culture) is a name in itself. Don’t want to say what it is, but similar to Talia, being short for Natalie.

I gave DC the long name “Natalie” name to appease in-laws. Always regretted it as don’t like “Natalie”, it feels very much not my culture nor does it suit DC. And DC always goes by “Talia”. (The actual long name is MUCH more popular than “Natalie”, and the nickname is spelled differently in this country to mine. Can’t think of any other examples except the boy’s name Harry, spelled Harri in another country. But I guess it would be like spelling it “Talya” And not “Talia”.)

Really warming to DC having a name that is solidly part of half-DC’s and all my cultural heritage.

If I change it, and the spelling, what implications will that have for DC later in life? When it comes to passports etc?

dC is 3.

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AverageMummy · 23/09/2019 20:41

Yes she would have to use the formerly known as sections. Why bother? It’s common for people to go by short versions of their names - I do myself.

bellinisurge · 23/09/2019 20:31

I am known entirely by my nickname outside of work. My sil is known entirely by her nickname everywhere except official documents. My brother is known by his second name everywhere except official documents. It is no big deal to keep your official name and be known by another name.

Teachermaths · 23/09/2019 20:24

I've no idea on the legal side. But once she's in school you fill in a form which has both her legal name and then a "known as" name. She will be called the "known as" name however any exam certificates will be in her legal name (if you didn't change it).

We have a lot of students who do this rather than a full on name change. They just have to remember for external exams to use their legal name.

Original poster
Movingmoving1 · 23/09/2019 20:20

Also to add - DC is only at a private nursery and not school nursery yet. So not on any official school-type lists if that makes a difference! And is “Talia” everywhere at nursery, not “Natalie”.

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