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Baby names

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

Original poster

Shortened name on birth certificate?

40 replies

Fan90210 · 17/05/2024 18:10

Hello,

I’d really appreciate some guidance here as I am in two minds! If DC is a boy, we have chosen a name that we like that’s a nickname of longer name. I won’t give the name away but along the lines of Nick (Nicholas), Tom (Thomas), Alex (Alexander) etc.

Having read the ONS statistics there seems a trend of using nicknames on the birth certificates too.

But I am torn whether to put the full first name on the birth certificate, given I’d rarely use it. In addition, at places like doctors etc would they naturally just use the longer first name or is there a “known as” option like at
school?

Thank you.

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Original poster
Fan90210 · 17/05/2024 18:37

Thank you all. If we do go with a longer version, how would you introduce the baby in a birth announcement msg to family etc? Something like (not the name but) Alexander “Alex” Smith or Alexander Smith (to be known as Alex)?

OP posts:
Peonies12 · 17/05/2024 18:34

its a shortened version, not a nickname. If you will only use the shortened version just put that. Much easier

Wrongsideofpennines · 17/05/2024 18:34

I use a shortened name most of the time but I'm glad my parents gave me the full version. I use the full version professionally.

I'm not massively keen on short versions being used officially, but I have a friend that really regrets using Harrison instead of just Harry. Her son also hates that he isn't just Harry. If you don't like the full name of the one you chose is there an alternative? Eg Samson instead of Samuel for Sam. Edmund instead of Edward for Ted etc

Songbird54321 · 17/05/2024 18:29

Depends on the name. I loved Sam for a boys name but didn't like Samuel, so wouldn't have put that on the birth certificate.
I know a Jonny who has that only on his birth certificate, everyone just assumes he's a Jonathan anyways.

skeettch · 17/05/2024 18:23

There was a trend on MN about 15 years ago on "name them what you will call them" i.e. put the nickname on the birth cert.

Which I completely ignored as I have a longer name that I use the diminutive of and I really like having the choice as I'm not mad keen on my given name but like the short name.

My girls have always gone by their short names but say they prefer their birth cert names and will use them as they move into adulthood. Which was always the point of using longer names on birth cert, their kiddie names are too cutesy for them so now they can use their formal names.

JimPansy · 17/05/2024 18:23

Depends on the name. If the nn is something like Gra, Ste or Stu, I'd put the full name. If it was Alex, Kit or Sam then maybe not.

Moreteaandchocolate · 17/05/2024 18:23

I mostly agree that it’s better to have the longer name on the birth certificate, to give more options. There are a few names where the nn has become well known as a full name in its own right and where I dislike the full version (e.g. Harry - Harold, Toby - Tobias). In those cases I’d personally just call him Harry / Toby etc… , but it’s probably quite a personal thing.

IWFH · 17/05/2024 18:22

The 'nicknames' above are now real names in their own right. We registered DS1 with a 'shortened' name because we preferred the shorter version.

Nicebloomers · 17/05/2024 18:18

I’m a big fan of a formal name with a great nickname (or nicknames) for multiple options.

Original poster
Fan90210 · 17/05/2024 18:16

This is really helpful, thank you all. I’m just torn as I don’t particularly like the longer version…but I love the nickname. Sigh!

OP posts:
spanieleyes · 17/05/2024 18:16

My son has his "long " name on his birth certificate. For over 20 years he was known by his " short " name. He suddenly decided he was going to use the longer version on leaving university!
Both my sons have names with lots of options!

ZipZapZoom · 17/05/2024 18:13

Put the full name that way your child has the choice.

We chose a name intending on using the shortened version and at 2 our child made it clear he preferred the full version and several years later he still corrects you if you call him the shortened version.

modgepodge · 17/05/2024 18:12

I’d go with the long version so he has options in the future personally. That’s what I did with my 8 week old…but it feels weird to even think of him as his full name, despite when I was pregnant thinking of him as that name!

When I said ‘oh he’s known as xx’ at the doctors, she offered to put a ‘known as’ thing on his records with the name we call him day to day.

SilverBranchGoldenPears · 17/05/2024 18:12

I would put the longer name.
Your son may prefer it when he’s older.
Also he’ll end up going by whatever name he wants anyway.
We have a Joe. Even HMRC etc know him as Joe. He’s not Joe really, but he’s turned into one despite his birth certificate saying something else.

muddyford · 17/05/2024 18:11

I would put the full name. Then your boy can choose which he prefers as he grows up.