Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Baby names

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

Libby?

58 replies

Nameornickname · 04/05/2023 22:51

What are people’s thoughts on Libby as a full name on the birth certificate, rather than officially being Elizabeth? I’ve always disliked shortened names, so I feel like a complete hypocrite for considering this name for our DD! But it’s the only one that DH and I both like. Please be honest.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
PurplePetalPip · 15/06/2023 05:32

I like Libby on its own as a first name. No need for a longer name on the birth certificate. I also don't think it's too cutesy or for a young girl only.

peaceinourtime · 15/06/2023 05:26

You name a child a shorting of a name, nickname. Libby is nice on its own. For example I knew a Lawrie which was his first name not a shorting of Lawrence. Also if Libby wants to or gets called a nickname it doesn't need to based of the first name as they can come from any name.

Pinkyhere · 05/06/2023 07:16

Lots of Jewish Libbys. It means my heart. Is used as a name on it's own.

JamSandle · 04/06/2023 23:50

I think it's really lovely.

ChocChipHandbag · 03/06/2023 21:35

KirstenBlest · 03/06/2023 10:25

@ChocChipHandbag , AFAIK, Fi Glover has always used the shortened version of her first name, and that doesn't seem to have held her back.

Yes, are you trying to disagree with me or something? Because I think what you just said reinforces my point about Libby Purves?

KirstenBlest · 03/06/2023 10:25

@ChocChipHandbag , AFAIK, Fi Glover has always used the shortened version of her first name, and that doesn't seem to have held her back.

SummerSun123 · 03/06/2023 06:57

Hi to the poster.
Im called Libby (not shortened) I get lovely comments on my name and I have noticed a few children recently also called Libby.
xx

ChocChipHandbag · 09/05/2023 13:46

KirstenBlest · 09/05/2023 13:18

I would think Livvy too, @ididntknowthat11

Libby makes me think of Purves too. She's an Elizabeth. @ChocChipHandbag

@KirstenBlest my point is that, professionally, she has always gone by Libby so it's not like it has held her back from a serious career.

TallulahBetty · 09/05/2023 13:20

It's a bit wet. Meh at best.

KirstenBlest · 09/05/2023 13:18

I would think Livvy too, @ididntknowthat11

Libby makes me think of Purves too. She's an Elizabeth. @ChocChipHandbag

ZoyaTheDestroyer · 09/05/2023 13:17

MisschiefMaker · 05/05/2023 10:11

Don't go with Elizabeth. It's really challenging for Elizabeths to be known as anything other than Liz. At school Libby will be accepted but in adult life Liz will follow her everywhere and she'll always have to correct them and even then some people won't accept that she isn't a Liz.

I couldn’t disagree more. My sister is an Elizabeth who has variously gone by Libby / Lib / Beth at various stages of her life but she never ever gets Liz, and nor have the multiple Elizabeths I have taught. Liz probably once was the standard diminutive of Elizabeth but IME it isn’t any more. I don’t know any Elizabeths under 40 who go by Liz.

ididntknowthat11 · 09/05/2023 13:15

Hazelnuttella · 05/05/2023 08:43

I know an Olivia called Libby. That might be an option instead of Elizabeth?

How do you get from Olivia to Libby?

Is it not Livvy?

Katherine1985 · 09/05/2023 13:07

I like it. I have a cousin who was named Elizabeth but has been Libby from the start, so it might just as well have been on her birth certificate.

It still suits her, doesn’t seem childish or cutesy. She holds a very senior position at work

ChocChipHandbag · 09/05/2023 12:56

I really like it. I didn't know it was a diminutive of Elizabeth.

Has nobody here heard of Libby Purves? She's a very serious broadcaster, nothing cutesy or childish about her.

choochooandspook · 09/05/2023 12:55

SoShallINever · 08/05/2023 23:53

Libby/Labia nooo.

I would never associate libby with labia, that's ridiculous

ChocChipHandbag · 09/05/2023 12:51

gogohmm · 05/05/2023 06:57

Use a full name on her birth certificate, gives her options as an adult

All adults have the option to call themselves whatever they want, even in official documents! Name on birth certificate is neither here nor there.

ThePaperTrail · 09/05/2023 12:22

I think Libby is the name of a library app.

That may not bother you, of course!

SecretsIWouldNeverTell · 08/05/2023 23:54

Sorry @Nameornickname but LIBBY is awful

SoShallINever · 08/05/2023 23:53

Libby/Labia nooo.

imnotsadyouresad · 08/05/2023 13:37

gogohmm · 05/05/2023 06:57

Use a full name on her birth certificate, gives her options as an adult

This.

Tell everyone her name is Libby, put Libby down as her preferred name. But make her Elizabeth legally.

You love Libby. She may not.

Turnleftturnright · 08/05/2023 13:34

I like it. Elizabeth or Libby. I don't know any either.

mumofjackandamy · 08/05/2023 13:10

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

Rainydaysgetmedown · 07/05/2023 17:46

Absolutely not too nicknamey at all. Eldest was going to be a Libby if he was a girl and we never even contemplated giving a longer name

Firebird83 · 07/05/2023 00:59

I have an Elisabeth too, but mine goes by Betsy.

Toottooot · 06/05/2023 19:33

Kennedy fae Neighbours.