Just Lizzie, not Elizabeth

I've never understood the options argument. A person really doesn't need to be provided with a multitude of options when it comes to their name. There are tons of people that have full names that provide them with no obvious options (Adam, Sarah, Noah, Mary, Kay, Eve, Nora, Hannah, Mia, Poppy). I doubt anyone who loves one of these names will refrain from using it just because it lacks options. Parents typically pick a name because THEY like it. They have no way of knowing if their child will like the name that they have picked. Someone named Elizabeth might hate her name and every single option that it provides (Ellie, Eliza, Beth, Lizzie, etc.), and someone named Lizzie might love her name and be glad that her parents didn't name her Elizabeth. Just name your child the name that you like (WITHIN REASON).

But she could opt for Lizzie or Liz.

I went for a name for dd3 where I much preferred the shortened version to the formal version. She's very much a "Lizzie" (equivalent) to everyone. I only occasionally have to write "Elizabeth" on official forms. But she has options when she's older.

I think it’s an awful name, but you can name the kid whatever you want.

I have to say I find it totally weird for a man to have loved a name since childhood. I know woman can be like that with names but the idea of a guy loving a name “from childhood” is so odd to me.

So because they don't have choices no one should. That sounds fair.

I suppose if they don't like Clair or Jane they either lump it or go to the bother if changing their name. Like if OP calls her DD Lizzie. If she's Elizabeth she can just opt for Beth or Betty or one of the many options she has.

There are lots of Alfies and Archies. I think most of them are called that and not Alfred or Archibald so no reason you couldn’t use Lizzie if you like it.

What about Lissie?

I wouldn’t have it as her full name, but I’m another that really dislikes nicknames as names. I’d go for something else.

We get our names lengthened by people who want to let you know they're fond of you.

I wonder how people called Clare or Jane manage to function in the world?

Call her Lizzie - it’s a new world of names out there she won’t be unusual in the slightest

I'm all for the options.

I have a Mathilda who was definitely going to be Tilly.

She came out looking like a Matty, & is now generally Mat in the family but has a completely different nickname her friends use.

She has absolutely NEVER been Tilly. She could not be less Tilly-like if she tried!

So I'd argue for Elizabeth in case you actually find your dd is much more Eliza/Beth/Bess/Libby. Why cut off the choices? She can be any of those & still an official Elizabeth. Lizzie is a bit limiting.

Well for me the point is with my name or Elizabeth is it gives the person multiple choices of shortenings they can use rather than having a name you don't like or having to change it.

The whole point of a nickname/shortening is to express affection/familiarity, which is why I think using it on the BC instead of the actual name is so nonsensical.

In your situation I would use neither Elizabeth (which you don't like) nor Lizzie (which isn't actually a name, it's a diminutive). I'd look for something else. Lots of similar sounding options have been suggested upthread, see if you like any or pick something else entirely.

I have a name with several short versions. My parents gave me the full name but used one of the shortened versions. Thank God they didn't just name the short version as I hate it and have been trying to get the family to stop using it for 60 years. Giving me the full name gave me options. So it would be like naming your DD Elizabeth and she can use Lizzie. liz, Beth, Betty etc.

Just my experience but I just wish my family would use my name or the shortened version I like.

I love the name Lizzie, and really dislike Elizabeth. I wouldn’t think twice about just using Lizzie.

Go for it. I’ve never understood the point of giving a child a name you have no intention of using.

My DD in her twenties has been Lizzy since the day she was born and never uses Elizabeth - apart from professionally as she thinks it sounds better in official documents. But all teachers / doctors etc use Lizzy.
I use a shortened version of my name but professional email is my bc name - it has been good in the past having the distinction - means people rarely track me down on organisational emails or find my social media

I totally agree. Plus, if OP and her husband put Elizabeth on the birth certificate, I can almost guarantee that they'll come across certain people who will refuse to call their daughter Lizzie. There's always those impolite and obnoxious people that refuse to use the preferred diminutive/nickname and insist on calling someone by the name that is on their birth certificate. 🙄 Those people are even more likely to do so if they know that it bothers the parents or person with the name.

OP, I would put Lizzie on the birth certificate since you hate Elizabeth. It gives those type of people less of an opportunity to call your daughter a name that you hate.

I go back and forth on this because you might not be bothered about having to say “It’s just Lizzie” every so often but it might bug her.

Some nicknames have made it well into the Top 100 and people don’t assume it’s the longer version anymore - but the last stats say there were less than 10 Lizzie’s/Lizzy’s registered in 2023 compared to nearly 700 Elizabeth’s/Elisabeth’s. I think people are going to make assumptions and it could be a hassle for her.

Personally I would put Elizabeth on the BC even if it isn’t a particular fave - a young close relative is apparently an Elizabeth but everyone in her life including myself has always referred to her as Lizzie, as that was what she was introduced as from birth and afaik it’s never caused any issues. But I think she might be grateful for the longer option as an adult. Also so many girls go through an Austen P and P phase as it keeps being remade 🤣 - so she might like Elizabeth “ Lizzie” Bennett and appreciate the same.

My name's in the same vein as Lizzie in that it's a common shortening of a more traditional name. It isn't an 'ie' name though, so it sounds less of a pet name, which means it isn't always assumed it isn't my full name.

I suppose she could call herself Liz when she's an adult if she thinks Lizzie's a bit cutesy.

If lizzie is what you both like then use it.
It is ridiculous to put a name on the birth certificate that you don't like and will never use because some people have weird rules about what is and isn't acceptable for a name.

Fuck that. Use the name you love.

For the same reason that someone might hate Margaret but decide to call their daughter Maggie or hate Katherine but decide to call their daughter Kate. They're two separate names that look and sound completely different.

She’ll be forever explaining that her name isn’t Elizabeth and that her parents gave her a nickname.

I knew a Lizbeth when I was growing up.