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Baby names

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

Original poster

Just Lizzie, not Elizabeth

91 replies

JJB3 · 20/06/2025 05:50

We're having our first baby (a girl). My husband suggested Lizzie as soon as we found out the gender. He has loved it since childhood and has been hoping that I'll officially agree to it. The only "problem" is that he hates the formal name (Elizabeth). (I've noticed that he hates most names that start with the letter E.) To be fair, I'm not too keen on Elizabeth either. I've just been thinking that Lizzie as an official name might look a bit unprofessional to other people, but he doesn't care about what other people think. He's of the opinion that we shouldn't give our child a first name that we dislike just to appease other people. Thoughts?

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PeachPumpkin · 20/06/2025 08:15

I wouldn’t be worried about it looking unprofessional. One advantage of using Elizabeth is that it gives your child options in the future if she doesn’t like Lizzie (Elizabeth, Beth, Betsy etc) but then she could always use her middle name/deed poll if she hated Lizzie that much and she could like/dislike any name. So if you want Lizzie, go for it.

WhimsyWhim · 20/06/2025 08:11

I don't know anyone named Lizzie personally, so I immediately thought of Lizzie Borden and that awful nursery rhyme about her when I saw this thread. 😬 I believe Lizzie was her full name too. Not a great association to have! It does prove that Lizzie has been used by some as a full name for a long time.

StampOnTheGround · 20/06/2025 06:33

It’s fine, so many people are obsessed with giving a full name, for the birth certificate but never referring to that ever! Go for it 😊

ChocolateGanache · 20/06/2025 06:32

But Elizabeth is a fabulous name!

ChocolateGanache · 20/06/2025 06:31

Eliza
Eloise
Elisabette
Elise
Lisette
Liza

Firsttimebabymummy · 20/06/2025 06:31

Although I like it, I'd presume their full name was Elizabeth which would be annoying correcting people all the name.

Izzie instead of Lizzie? Isobel, Isabella, Isadora,

Lizette nn lizzy
Felicity nn Lissy / Lizzy

PurpleChrayn · 20/06/2025 06:25

Don’t do it.

I know a Jessie who isn’t a Jessica and it’s the bane of her life.

sashh · 20/06/2025 06:07

What about Charlize? Lisandra? Melissa? Isabel?

Aramox · 20/06/2025 06:04

I do think it's a problem. It sounds and looks like an abbreviation because it is. Imagine it on a job application. And everytime it's given out someone will ask 'so that's Elizabeth'.

Spies · 20/06/2025 06:02

I wouldn't use a name I didn't like just so I could use a nickname I did so see his point. Equally I also wouldn't use a name like Lizzie where most people will ask or assume it's short for Elizabeth, as she will spend her whole life correcting people who think it's a nickname.

Ancasta · 20/06/2025 06:01

You could use Liza, which is lovely!

I think your husband is right about not giving a name to appease other people but, at the same time, I agree with you that it feels not quite right to put a nickname on the BC

Elfie23 · 20/06/2025 05:58

I’m with your husband

Krakinou · 20/06/2025 05:58

There are plenty of Ellie’s Rosie’s Gracie’s etc. I don’t think it’s a problem. I prefer it to Elizabeth too.

AliMonkey · 20/06/2025 05:56

Totally agree with him - do not give the baby a name you don’t like just because it’s traditional. We have a Tom and occasionally when giving it eg at doctor they will say “so that’s Thomas?” which annoys me but otherwise I don’t see the issue. It’s not like you’re giving her a name like Fluffy or Babykins which might be a bit too informal! So if you both like Lizzie then give her that name.

Philandbill · 20/06/2025 05:52

Is Eliza any better? (Yes, I do know it starts with an E too 😁)

raysofhope · 20/06/2025 05:51

I don’t think it’s good to have a nickname only as your official name; would you consider Eliza or Lisa?

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