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Baby names

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

Original poster

If your name is 3+ syllables

69 replies

DarkAbyssSnatcher · 31/01/2024 15:34

How do feel about having a long name?

Do you go by a diminutive form of your name?

Did the length of your name influence the names you gave to your kids?

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Doublebiscuit77 · 31/01/2024 16:22

Various groups know me by different shortenings but i usually use the full version of my 3+ syllable name. I think it did influence naming my kids, who have short names!

bumtrumpet · 31/01/2024 16:00

Long * not king

bumtrumpet · 31/01/2024 15:59

I have a three-syllable name, although I've never considered it to be a long name before. It was shortened when I was at school, but rarely since. I prefer the king version, unless it's someone who I know well. When clients call me the shortened version, I don't like that. Two DC have two syllable names and one has three syllables, the number of syllables wasn't a conscious decision when naming them.

Berriesofruby · 31/01/2024 15:59

4 syllables, always gone by a cutesy diminutive, feels very weird being called by my BC name. All DC were given 1-2 syllable names intentionally.

Having said that I know an Italian woman with a very long name and it's just beautiful I can't imagine her going by anything else.

Blowitout · 31/01/2024 15:53

My name is 4 syllables, I prefer and always use the full version but 90% of people automatically shorten it. We gave our kids 1-2 syllable names for this reason.

Wawaweewah · 31/01/2024 15:53

My name is three syllables (with several different spelling options) and I am almost always known by a shortened two syllable version. My middle and maiden names were also long and it was irritating having to constantly spell it for people. I have to admit it was nice when I got married and took my husband's much shorter, easier to spell last name. I don't think it had much impact on my choice of names for my DC, but it might have done if they had my maiden name.

DappledThings · 31/01/2024 15:52

How do feel about having a long name?
I have 3 syllables, I don't think it's long. Middle name is 4 syllables.

Do you go by a diminutive form of your name?
No

Did the length of your name influence the names you gave to your kids?
Not consciously. They are both 2 syllables

roarrfeckingroar · 31/01/2024 15:51

Four syllables
I don't use a diminutive
Yes, I made sure my daughter has a similar name

Duckingfun · 31/01/2024 15:50

DarkAbyssSnatcher · 31/01/2024 15:43

@User13579367337 I find a few longer names really appealing, but I tend to prefer the full versions. For instance, I prefer "Louisa" compared to "Lou." I'm just thinking in such cases, is there any point in giving your child a longer name if they are unlikely to be called by it?

If you don’t shorten it then most people you know won’t, it’s when they go to school and friends shorten it. Although saying that, my brother who had a normal name, say Joseph ended up being called Dave for no rhyme or reason and he’s been Dave for 35 years - lots of surprises people at his wedding when his actual name was said!

HappyAsASandboy · 31/01/2024 15:47

I have 4 syllables. I have used shortened versions at various points in my life but also use the complete name.

My kids have a mixture of syllables in their names. Longest is 4 syllables (gets shortened to 2 syllables) and shorted is 2 syllables. I chose names I liked and didn't worry about syllables at all.

Monkeytapper · 31/01/2024 15:45

I have a 4 syllable name but known as a 1 syllable name, only my mum when she was alive used the full name

Original poster
DarkAbyssSnatcher · 31/01/2024 15:43

@User13579367337 I find a few longer names really appealing, but I tend to prefer the full versions. For instance, I prefer "Louisa" compared to "Lou." I'm just thinking in such cases, is there any point in giving your child a longer name if they are unlikely to be called by it?

OP posts:
Duckingfun · 31/01/2024 15:41

i like long names, I know someone though who has given her children double barrelled first names and last names like Evangelina-Alexandria Bollingovina-Williamson which is a lot in my opinion.

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 31/01/2024 15:38

I love a long name - mine is 3- though people have pronounced it as 4.
I wanted long names for my children

marshmallowfinder · 31/01/2024 15:37

I like my name and yes, it gets shortened which is fine. It had no bearing on my childrens' names.

TeenDivided · 31/01/2024 15:37

User13579367337 · 31/01/2024 15:36

Who named your kids??

Show quote history

Their birth Mum. We adopted them.

User13579367337 · 31/01/2024 15:36

TeenDivided · 31/01/2024 15:35

I have 4 syllables.
I use all of it.
I didn't get to name my kids.

Who named your kids??

User13579367337 · 31/01/2024 15:35

I don’t mind it. Surely the majority of 3 syllable names gets shortened?

TeenDivided · 31/01/2024 15:35

I have 4 syllables.
I use all of it.
I didn't get to name my kids.

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