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Baby names

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

Original poster

Classic boy names with sweet nicknames?

107 replies

Nellynoo182 · 04/08/2023 07:47

Looking for a boy name for baby no2 to go with my DS1 Harry! We like classic and timeless names but I would really like something we can shorten/ derive an affectionate nickname from.

I need to go armed as my DH is a teacher and is a nightmare choosing names with as he associates them with every naughty child he’s ever met! 🤣

So far I’ve got:

James - Jimmy/ JJ (he likes this one but I’m not so keen)
Frederick - Freddie (I like Freddie but not Frederick)
Edward or Theo - Ted/ Teddy

Any suggestions? Thank you!

OP posts:
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Coronationstation · 04/08/2023 20:15

ticktock19 · 04/08/2023 15:17

Alistair - Al / Ali / Olly

How do you get Olly from Alistair?!?

Bouledeneige · 04/08/2023 19:21

I like:

Barnaby - Barny
Robert - Bobby
Sebastian - Seb
Theodore - Theo
Edward - Ted
Caspar - Caz
Jude

ticktock19 · 04/08/2023 15:17

Alistair - Al / Ali / Olly

EveryChildIsCalledFlorence · 04/08/2023 15:14

Wait...people actually name their children Peregrine?!

Gnomegnomegnome · 04/08/2023 15:02

I love names like Benjamin, Thomas, Edward, William and James. Lovely names.

tuscany88 · 04/08/2023 14:59

Edward - Ned
Oliver - Olli
Luca - Lu
Maxwell/Maximilian - Max
Theodore- Theo
Tobias - Toby

Theoldwoman · 04/08/2023 14:53

Reuben - Rubes
Timothy - Timmy
Patrick - Pat
William - Billy
Sebastian - Sebby
Hamish - Hammy
Thomas - Tommy
Nicholas - Nic
Alexander - Alex
Richard - Richie
Cameron - Cam
Zachary - Zach
Matthias - Matt
Benjamin - Benny
Nathaniel - Nate
Joseph - Joe
Samuel - Sam
Curtis - Kurt
Elias - Eli

Nannyfannybanny · 04/08/2023 14:50

Why have a name,then a nickname or shorten it. My parents gave me the name they did so you cannot mess about with it. I did actually have a nickname, nothing whatsoever to do with my actual name. I hate it when people, especially not friends who insist on shortening DHs name.

KirstenBlest · 04/08/2023 14:46

Jeremy - Jerry
Bartholomew - Bart
Barnaby/Barnabas - Barney
Jack - Jack
Patrick - Paddy
Dennis - Denny

Mumofgirls2017 · 04/08/2023 14:41

Christopher- kit
Alexander- Sandy/ Xander/ alex
franklin- frankie
monthomery- monty
reginald- Rex/ reggie
leonard- Lenny/ leo
Robert- bobby
wilfred- wilf/ freddie
sidney- sid
stanley- stan
Joseph- zeph/ joe
maxwell- max
magnus- max

HowNice23 · 04/08/2023 14:18

I always liked Joseph / Joe cute on a tiny boy and big ones too!

Darthwazette · 04/08/2023 14:17

My James is a Jim or Jimmy. I always wanted him to be just James but ExH called him Jim from very early on and it stuck. There’s not many little Jims around!

Thewolvesarerunningagain · 04/08/2023 13:05

Joseph -Jojo
Benedict - Ben, Benji
Callum - Cal
Dominic - Dommie
Laurence-Lolly
Angus - Gus
Arthur - Artie
Simon - Sim
Timothy - Moth
Edgar - Ned, Ed, Ted
Reginald -Reggie
Victor-Vic

Bobbybobbins · 04/08/2023 12:58

Albert- Bertie/Albie

greenspaces4peace · 04/08/2023 12:51

Maybe to similar
Gerald-Gerry
Martin-Marty
Donald-Don/Donny
Mathew-Matt

pintery · 04/08/2023 12:46

I knew an Andrew once who was known as Roo so that's another option.

Also Francis / Frankie
Timothy / Timo
Jeremy / Jem, Jed

I like William / Billy, Bill but not Will which has nice but dim connotations for me.

KirstenBlest · 04/08/2023 12:39

James - Jamie
Frederick - Freddie
Edward or Theo - Ted/ Teddy. Why would you 'shorten' Theo to Ted or Teddy? Theo/Theodore is overused, Theo is meh and I dislike Theodore.

Douglas - Dougie
Michael - Mikey, Mike, Mick
David - Davey
Joshua - Josh
John - Johnny
Thomas - Tom, Tommy
Robert - Robbie

Original poster
Nellynoo182 · 04/08/2023 12:38

Hadn’t thought of Ned with it but I love that! @Blossomandbee

OP posts:
Blossomandbee · 04/08/2023 12:26

Sorry just seen it's on your list, somehow missed it 🙈

Blossomandbee · 04/08/2023 12:26

Edward - Eddie/Teddy/Ted/Ned

Original poster
Nellynoo182 · 04/08/2023 12:19

There are some great suggestions here, loads I hadn’t thought of thank you! Rupert and Roo is adorable. I also like Douglas and Dougie.

@Coronationstation yes we often shorten Harry to H or Hal. Initially we liked Harrison but decided we liked Harry better. I personally really like having a name that can be shortened. I use my full name professionally and my family and closest friends call me a shortened version. It feels lovely and affectionate 😊 agree that random nicknames should evolve naturally though, less so with a diminutive name.

OP posts:
Coronationstation · 04/08/2023 10:51

Do you shorten Harry? It seems a bit odd to have one name that's very much a standalone name and then be looking for another that's long and comes with a nn. I really think nicknames should "evolve" rather than be put upon people, or just use the short version in the first place!

MindfulBear · 04/08/2023 10:29

Theodore - Teddy (also theodorable!)
Bartholomew - Barty
Bertrand - Bertie
Jonathan - Jonty
Samson or Samuel - Sam / Sammy
Indiana - Indi
Peregrine - Perry
Austin - Ozzie
Benedicte - Ben
Alfred - Alfie
Leonardo - Leo
Rupert - Roo

Justaponder · 04/08/2023 09:16

Just thought of another one I really like:
Laurence - Laurie

Mummy08m · 04/08/2023 09:15

Also
Alexander - Sasha/Sandy
Richard - Ricky
Laurence - Larry/Lance
Gervase- Gerry
Montgomery - Monty

or, for really old fashoned:
Pelham - Plum
Percival- Perry

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