So why do people choose a "proper" name...

Neverenough & chunkychips - you're old fashioned & 'in a professional capacity, with distinction' my arse. Satisfied? I work with Mums that, when asked how they spell their 1 hour old DC's names respond 'I don't fraikin know'. & you're right, we might ALL start making our own names up & the where would you be then? Up the creek, perchance? Without one's paddle? What would we tell the staff?

I'm staggered that you think you deserve airtime frankly - saw that old class thread the other day & slunk right away, but if this is what passes for..........ooh, you're taking the mick, aren't you, please?????

Well call me old fashioned but I assume that Ben is short for Benjamin or Benedict and Millie for Amelia, Emily etc.
I suppose I should be glad they haven't had made up names-Jye anyone?(after Jai in Jungle Book ........only Mum couldn't spell.....)

We wanted to name DS2 after his dad, but also use the different version.

We didn't want to call him anything else (well actually I did, but that name - his middle name - really wouldn't have worked with our surname).

Call us contrary. Who cares?

And even in the 21st century, with my shortened name, folk wrongly assume I've shortened it, and refer to the spelling as naff. I'm 41 fgs, and I didn't choose it, or how to spell it!

I've got a shortened name.

Everyone assumes that it's not my real name, that I've chosen to shorten it, and I've also been told that the spelling is naff (hmm).

These trendy shortened names, Ellie for Eleanor, Joe for Joseph.. agree with Neverenough, give them the full name on the documentation and shorten it to the cute 'baby' version, but let them have a choice later. Doesn't Eleanor sound better for a medical school application than Ellie? (or am I just wierd and old fashioned??)

Do you think in a future generation, birth certificates will put Barb instead of Barbara, Ali instead of Alison, Nath instead of Nathan?
If that sounds daft then thats what everyone is doing with the current trend for shortened names (IMO!!!! only IMO!!!)

Each to their own. Could be all sorts of reasons.

DS1 and DS3 have always used their full names, DS2 however was given his dad's first name, but we chose to use a different version from the day he was born, to give him his own identity whilst having his dad's name.

It makes sense to us, if to no one else.

I didnt bother going for a full name knowing i wouldnt ever call my son Joshua and not being sure whether i liked the full name. I had a conversation with my mum and she pointed out that if he became a doctor or some other profession it would sound better than just josh. Not sure if she said this to try and get me to change it so she can get pressents for him with his name on easier lol.

I think for many people, they like the option of having the full name, or the shortened version, depending on the occasion. I have a full name which I like to use in more formal work situations, but am known most of the time by my abbreviated name.
Also, for many people, the meaning of a name is important. Definitely was for me and DH - all my children's names have a beautiful meaning. I love the name Rebecca, but once I found out it means 'a noose' I couldnt bear to use it!

'tIS ONLY YOU............
Matter of taste really......
I remember finding it odd that a family of 5 boys should call their sixth child, a much wanted girl...........Charlie!
I always echo an Obstetrician I worked for........before giving a baby a name try out what it sounds like when their Mum calls them, their teacher calls them, their boss cals them and their spouse calls them.....
I like to give a child the option.......Elizabeh or Lizzie,,,,,,,,,
Edward or Ed, Eddie, Ted,Ned.....

We named dd3 Maisy-Rae within days she was reduced to MooMoo now 5 months later its just Moo

I think that as well.

I wanted to call dd3 Connie but dp would only have it if she was registered as Constance. No way. We called her Anna instead.

So when they get bigger you have a full "telling off" name to get their attention in middle of very busy playground! This requires full first name plus middle name and (if v naughty) surname at increased volume!

dd1 is called Nicole. for about the first 4 years she was known as Nic/Nicky. Now she insists we call her Nicole and gets very stroppy if i forget and call her Nic lol.