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Baby names

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

Original poster

Mostly only like ‘nicknames’ as names

55 replies

Happytimes83 · 04/07/2024 07:42

Our name list for our baby currently consists of; Effie, Callie, Immy (I don’t mind Imogen as a name out of the ones made into the longer version), also quite like Sienna though not entirely sure id actually want to use so maybe I should remove it from our list,

But I’d just prefer to name my daughter what I’d actually call them, a ‘formal’ name seems so pointless & we also want a name that’s relatively easy to spell although agree you could mix Y’s and IE’s up on to them by accident, though we don’t have issue with our sons name Charlie.

Are these names a problem as adults?

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Gorgonemilezola · 04/07/2024 08:29

'I have a very short name and second what pp says about longer nicknames being attached'

Absolutely - my first name has one syllable. My family nickname has four. 😁

MirandaBlu · 04/07/2024 08:27

If the names you've chosen seem too informal, you could look at names with similar structure/sound that are traditional stand-alone names - for example:

Amy
Audrey
Bonnie
Chloe
Daphne
Emily
Esme
Heidi
Holly
Ivy
Lily
Lucy
Naomi
Phoebe
Rosalie
Ruby
Sophie
Sylvie
Zoe

Moreteaandchocolate · 04/07/2024 08:27

I think Immy would constantly get asked if she was Imogen. But Callie and Effie are more commonly used as full names in their own right and will fit in fine with this generation of girls imo.

TitInATrance · 04/07/2024 08:12

Those names don’t sound good on adults. A formal name is surely the smallest thing you can give a child, but important? A nickname should be a personal, affectionate version of the person’s real name, not something HMRC call centres address you by.

I have a very short name and second what pp says about longer nicknames being attached. To me, Effie and similar sound like Victorian parlourmaids, but that’s probably because I’m old :)

Gorgonemilezola · 04/07/2024 08:04

I wouldn't, personally. Longer name on bc, nickname for everyday.

As nicknames evolve naturally, you may find your Effie being called Effielump, your Calli being called fragilistic or similar...... We have some weird nicknames in our family.