Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

Full name for Bobbie?

95 replies

pigglepot · 14/04/2021 21:43

I really love the girls name Bobbie but worry it's a bit too much of a nickname to give as a full name (although is it really much different to names like Annie and Katie which both started out as nicknames?!)

If we wanted a longer name are there any others apart from the obvious Roberta and the less obvious Barbara(!) and Robyn?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
ImAlrightThanx · 15/04/2021 22:42

I kew a Margaret who was known as Polly, so I don't suppose it matters!

HoldontoOneMoreDay · 15/04/2021 20:45

My own shortened name (I'm another like Jenny/Jennifer who really doesn't identify with the Jennifer at all) is gender neutral and that's a huge benefit. There's loads of research showing that women are treated worse in all sorts of work situations, having a gender neutral name is one way of getting round that.

And I don't think the formal/informal argument really washes these days, does it? Is anyone going to stress if it's Dr Bobbie or Dr Roberta treating their illness?

SoupDragon · 15/04/2021 13:17

Even if she got marrried she would be saying a name she had never used.

Unless she got to teen/adulthood and decided she wanted a less cutesy name and decided to use her actual name,

TatianaBis · 15/04/2021 13:10

There are different kinds of nicknames aren't there.

Ones that are short for the name. And ones that come the family and stick.

Josephine > Jo > Bo > Jo Bobs > Bobbie

One of my sister's has a nickname totally unrelated to her name. Our family and my friends use it. Her friends call her a shortening of her actual name.

Violetlavenders · 15/04/2021 13:06

*I have a friend called Bobbie but her full name is Josephine!

You can kind of give a child any nickname.*

That begs the question what a nickname is? And what it's purpose is?

Disfordarkchocolate · 15/04/2021 12:54

Roberta is the only name I know that has the nickname Bobbie.

Lockdownbear · 15/04/2021 12:53

Robina maybe or Roberta.

TatianaBis · 15/04/2021 12:53

Violet and Roberta go well together.

I have a friend called Bobbie but her full name is Josephine!

You can kind of give a child any nickname.

What about Beatrice - it goes very well with Violet I think.

Wallabyone · 15/04/2021 12:48

I know a Bobbie who is short for Penelope. She is Greek, and the P makes a B sound when you say it, so has always seemed a natural shortening for me!

bridgetreilly · 15/04/2021 11:10

I like Robin better than Robyn.

But I would go for Roberta, nn Bobbie, because of The Railway Children.

TheTeenageYears · 15/04/2021 09:43

The shortened version of DD's name used all through pregnancy was quickly replaced by another common shortening 3 days after she was born when DS came home from nursery and said "hello baby ***". If you like Bobbie just go with it and maybe pick a middle name you also really like which DD could use later if preferred.

Blondiney · 15/04/2021 09:23

@KoalaOok

Is Bobbette a name?
I know what my next dog is going to be called Grin
CeibaTree · 15/04/2021 09:21

I once knew a woman who went by the name Bob or Bobbie. Her real name was Sarah. I guess you can call someone any nickname you like, it doesn't necessarily have to be a shortening 🤷🏻‍♀️

Amdone123 · 15/04/2021 09:12

Why is Bobette growing on me ?!
Seriously, I don't like Bobbie. Love Roberta, though.
What other names do you like ?!!

AuntieStella · 15/04/2021 09:09

ChrissyPlummer
Dunno why people are laughing at Bobette. I recently did a course with a lady with that name

Ooh cool! I didn't know it was a name

Homonym for Bobitt ?

GU24Mum · 15/04/2021 09:06

Violet is lovely and while you might not want two similar names (so not an Iris or Mabel), Bobbie is very, very different!

MysteriousMonkey · 15/04/2021 09:05

Bobble or Bobbert

But I'd probably go with Robyn

littleredberries · 15/04/2021 09:03

I only think of Roberta, but I think that's an awesome name!

mpsw · 15/04/2021 08:59

I'd go for Catherine/Kate

Loads of people will understand!

Original poster
pigglepot · 15/04/2021 08:58

@FeistySheep very true! I've just got to decide if I like Robyn or Roberta (or similar) enough to make it her full name.

My first daughter is Violet and this time I fancy something a bit more non traditional as I don't want them to sound like a pair of old ladies!

OP posts:
CoffeeWithCheese · 15/04/2021 08:56

We have a Robyn, nicknamed Bobbi.

KoalaOok · 15/04/2021 08:48

@ChrissyPlummer

Dunno why people are laughing at Bobette. I recently did a course with a lady with that name.
Ooh cool! I didn't know it was a name.
ChrissyPlummer · 15/04/2021 08:48

Dunno why people are laughing at Bobette. I recently did a course with a lady with that name.

FeistySheep · 15/04/2021 08:45

I reckon give her choices!
I have a name along the lines of Emelia, but have always been called the diminuative, like Mimi etc (something cutesy)! I have always used Amelia in professional contexts. While it is discriminatory, the fact remains that some people would not vote for a prime minister called Mimi, or appoint her as CEO of a FTSE 100 organisation etc.

I think it would be fine to call a child Jenny, because it is well established and people are used to it. Same with Annie, Eliza etc. But Bobbie is not common enough, and COULD sound cutesy to some people.

I think it's a lovely name, and would be happy to have it. But if your dd doesn't like it, what's she meant to do with it, shorten it to Bob?! Go for a longer name and shorten :)

Original poster
pigglepot · 15/04/2021 08:37

@marshyindigo I certainly haven't made up my mind 😂. I'm sure I will be stuck deciding for weeks after she's here 🤦‍♀️

OP posts:
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

Join Mumsnet Log In

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.