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Baby names

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

Original poster

Would this annoy you or am I being hormonal

180 replies

Flopsy145 · 15/04/2024 10:03

DH and I are pretty set on Eddie for our son due this summer. His legal name would be Edward but we love the nn Eddie. Some of the older members of my family have said "oh lovely, I'll call him teddy." My response was "well his name will be Eddie, that's what he'll go by." But they keep referring to him as Teddy 😂 I don't have anything against Teddy, but that's not that name we picked. I'm now wishing I had just said Eddie and not even mentioned him being legally Edward. I don't want him to have multiple names, I'm not afraid to keep saying "it's Eddie," but it's annoying, just call him Eddie 😂

Would you be annoyed or shall I just keep saying "it's Eddie," and not be bothered?

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Smelly28 · 16/04/2024 22:28

I had the same issue but it was the other way round. I have a Teddie and family kept saying before he was born ohh well call him Eddie.

If it helps no one calls him Eddie he’s just Ted.

Moreteaandchocolate · 16/04/2024 22:09

apfeltaschen · 16/04/2024 21:31

As someone who had one name on a birth certificate that no-one ever used and got called a shortened version of it by everyone my whole life, it would be easier to just call them Eddie on the BC. I ended up legally changing my name as an adult as it caused so many issues effectively having two names.

This is why I prefer shorter names on the bc.

fatphalange · 16/04/2024 22:03

I was with you until I read that the relative in question is your 80-odd year old grandma. Ffs let her call him Teddy if she wants and one day he will look back fondly on being his gran's little Teddy.

As for the other relatives, why even mention what name will be on the BC? No one else will ever see it. Introduce him as Eddie. End of.

Firsttimebabymama · 16/04/2024 21:45

Yes it would annoy me, I'm in a similar position with my girlfriend due. Correct them x

PotatoPudding · 16/04/2024 21:39

@DysmalRadius absolutely. My real name may as well be Edward for how alien it sounds.

katebushh · 16/04/2024 21:36

Honestly, I think I'd snap eventually and yell "it's FUCKING EDDIE" at the next person who says oh I'm calling him something else..Wink

DysmalRadius · 16/04/2024 21:34

PotatoPudding · 16/04/2024 21:27

That’s exactly how I feel. Not to mention it not registering when someone does use my full name, such as starting a new job.

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Yes! I hate it in hospital as well, especially when I've been really ill or a bit out of it! It feels almost frivolous to ask someone who's about to cut you open to use a shorter version of your name, but when the staff are all being lovely and reassuring but with my full name it makes me feel weird!

apfeltaschen · 16/04/2024 21:31

As someone who had one name on a birth certificate that no-one ever used and got called a shortened version of it by everyone my whole life, it would be easier to just call them Eddie on the BC. I ended up legally changing my name as an adult as it caused so many issues effectively having two names.

dinomirror · 16/04/2024 21:29

Op, if you hate the name Teddy, name him Eddie. You may find in 10 years time that he himself will want to be called another nickname

PotatoPudding · 16/04/2024 21:27

DysmalRadius · 16/04/2024 21:23

And FWIW, as someone who has always been known by a shortened version of my name, it has meant that at the most important moments of my life (getting married, registering my kids' births etc) when 'full' names are required, it has felt like I'm talking about a stranger.

That’s exactly how I feel. Not to mention it not registering when someone does use my full name, such as starting a new job.

DysmalRadius · 16/04/2024 21:23

And FWIW, as someone who has always been known by a shortened version of my name, it has meant that at the most important moments of my life (getting married, registering my kids' births etc) when 'full' names are required, it has felt like I'm talking about a stranger.

aperolspritzbasicbitch · 16/04/2024 21:23

@DysmalRadius OP did say that she's expecting him to have many different nicknames when he's older, so it's really just whilst he's young

DysmalRadius · 16/04/2024 21:21

Flopsy145 · 15/04/2024 11:03

I also don't like shortened names on birth certificate, I loved Archie but decided against to because of this and not liking Archibald..

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What about Archimedes?

DysmalRadius · 16/04/2024 21:20

aperolspritzbasicbitch · 16/04/2024 21:10

I don't understand all the 'you can't control what nicknames he has' posts.

She can.

Right up until he's old enough to decide for himself. It's not difficult to go follow the parents wishes until the child himself has some agency.

Realistically that is quite a small proportion of his life though so if there are variants that really grate, there could be decades of hearing them, so it's worth considering the long term.

aperolspritzbasicbitch · 16/04/2024 21:10

I don't understand all the 'you can't control what nicknames he has' posts.

She can.

Right up until he's old enough to decide for himself. It's not difficult to go follow the parents wishes until the child himself has some agency.

gkdf · 16/04/2024 21:07

Tell family he's Eddie on his BC even if you do put Edward.

Mumofferal3 · 16/04/2024 21:02

Flopsy145 · 16/04/2024 20:03

Thank you all! The family in question is my grandmother in her mid 80s who thinks it's a cute nickname and is more thinking of a term of endearment, and other is my uncle who tbh I rarely see beyond a quick hello once or twice a month. I see my grandmother at least twice a week so definitely something I'll address in a sensitive way with her, and will ask my dad to make sure he's on board too to pick her up on it!

I would personally just let her, it might turn out to be a cute thig between them.

Mine did it and he adored her, the name didn't really matter. I think it would have spoilt it had I corrected her constantly.

Mumofferal3 · 16/04/2024 20:57

Flopsy145 · 15/04/2024 10:03

DH and I are pretty set on Eddie for our son due this summer. His legal name would be Edward but we love the nn Eddie. Some of the older members of my family have said "oh lovely, I'll call him teddy." My response was "well his name will be Eddie, that's what he'll go by." But they keep referring to him as Teddy 😂 I don't have anything against Teddy, but that's not that name we picked. I'm now wishing I had just said Eddie and not even mentioned him being legally Edward. I don't want him to have multiple names, I'm not afraid to keep saying "it's Eddie," but it's annoying, just call him Eddie 😂

Would you be annoyed or shall I just keep saying "it's Eddie," and not be bothered?

My DS is Edward. My nan used to call him Teddy and now she has gone , my cousin calls him Teddy too.

Tbh I wouldn't get too worked up, when he goes to school kids will call him whatever they choose. As he grew older, he vhose Edward to be the name he prefers.

It happens to nearly all names. You can't control that.

Rainbowatlast · 16/04/2024 20:51

I have an Eddie with Edward on his BC. Such a lovely name, was named after his great grandfather who was also always called Eddie.
Keep on being insistent with what you want. Stick to your guns! Good luck!

Original poster
Flopsy145 · 16/04/2024 20:44

muggart · 16/04/2024 20:39

oh i take it back... if it's just one 80yr old great grandparent of the baby I would let it go.

I thought it was going to be the kids GP's and aunts and uncles doing it.

Haha 😂 no everyone else would go with what we said. I'll mention to her that we're not set yet and when he's born just say "we're going to call him Eddie" and just leave it at that. If it bothers me down the line I'll continue to correct it.

OP posts:
bakewellbride · 16/04/2024 20:44

I used to call my niece Katie-kins when she was little and if anyone had 'addressed it in a sensitive way' with me and insisted on Katie it would have really upset / confused me. It just comes across a bit controlling/ OTT. Please don't do it op. People will bond with your child in their own way if you let them.

muggart · 16/04/2024 20:39

oh i take it back... if it's just one 80yr old great grandparent of the baby I would let it go.

I thought it was going to be the kids GP's and aunts and uncles doing it.

lauren8910 · 16/04/2024 20:27

I have an Eddie! Edward on the birth certificate but goes by Eddie 90% of the time.

I have not had one person refer to him as Ted/Teddy yet. I mean it's out of my hands what nickname he gets when he starts school ect but for now I would just correct them politely 😃

Congratulations btw Flowers

CurlewKate · 16/04/2024 20:19

@Flopsy145 I really really suggest you just let them get on with it. It's all done out of love and because they're happy and excited about your lovely baby! As I said, my son had a million shortenings but settled on his own favourite outside the family name when he was about 5. He's an adult now and still has one name that he only allows his grandma to use!

PotatoPudding · 16/04/2024 20:18

Sandwichblock · 16/04/2024 19:59

There is actually a long list of girls' names for which Eddie is the shortened version. It think it's more usual for Edward to be shortened to Ted or Teddy than to Eddie.

I know 6 Edwards under 100 years old. They’re all either Ed or Eddie.