ITS OK TO CALL YOUR CHILD THE "SHORT" VERSION OF A NAME - SO BOLLOCKS TO ALL YOU FARKING SNOBS WHO TURN YOUR NOSES UP!

I find it really interesting learning what diminutives go with which "real" name.

IE, Sally is short for Sarah; Kit is short for Christopher, etc.

I also think it's important that we keep the "real" names going... But I accept that that might be a weird view.

Sorrry Beautiful but the your names your name its only a nick-name if its not your actual name. Like the wedding idea though!

The day my son was born they asked me what his name was so I told them (this is not his real name, I just pinched it from Jux) Tim and the first thing Doc said was 'OK baby Timothy' WTF ? and then proceeded to write it on all his documentation!

Two years down the line they still call him the extended version of the name, but it's NOT his bloody name.

There are no words to describe the ignorance, well none that I can print on here.

But really, the best thing about calling your kids the full version of their names, is giving their friends a chuckle during the wedding ceremony.

I wouldn't call my kids shortened versions, it'd be like Christening them with nicknames. I love shortened versions as an affectionate name for every-day use, but they're not REAL names, not proper OFFICIAL names... It's not right, it's not right

One of my boys is called Harry, so on his birth cert, I have called him Henry, as that is the real name. Since then, it's been non-stop from DH's side of the family, "Oh I never knew that Harry was short for Henry; how can it be a shortened version when it's the same length?" etc, etc. It just is, you thickos, is what I always think but never say.

My SIL said, "So is Prince Harry really called Henry?"

"Yes, of course," I said.

"Bollocks!" was her reply. She wouldn't believe me and actually went and looked it up on Wikipedia.

I agree I have Alfie not Alfred but my Great-Gran said he'll never be prime-minister with a nick-name! I'm Kate but everyone thinks I'm Katherine which is annoying or they actually call me Katie which is even more annoying.
DD is just M though not Molly ha ha

DS is Tom. Not Thomas. Just Tom.

I like Tom, and yet for some inexplicable reason, and not keen on Thomas. Something to do with the "as" at the end.

We call DS the shortened version of his long name. Since he was a baby he has always been the shortened version as that is the name we liked. However as he is getting older I am finding I am starting to call him the longer version a little bit now. So I am pleased with have given him the choice for when he is older.

As a child my dad (who is called William offically) was called Billy but as an adult is called Bill. Except when he is in trouble with my mum. Then he is called William

My family call me the shortened version of my name. They didn't when I was little, but since I was a teenager they have and I hate it.

I loved leaving home, going to University and introducting myself as "weegiefullname". Everyone calls me it now - friends, family, dh, il's - everyone except my immediate family - I have asked them to, but they never seem to remember!

I am VERY VERY glad that I had the longer version available to me. My daughters both have names that can be shortened if they choose and in fact dd1 has started to use a shortened version. Ds's name can't really be shortened.

Its not as if my long name is that long - 5 letters! But I like it and want it, and if they had called me the 3 letter short version - well I suppose I might have liked it, but I much prefer my real name.

Names are chosen by parents but they belong to the child. I think giving the most amount of options is the best way to go. If you want Ben, then give Benjamin. If you want Sam, give Samantha, or Samuel. Give them the choice - they are going to have to live with it longer than you are, hopefully!

MamaG this will help

Now I have to disagree with you I'm afraid..

I personally think that it is best to give them the full version of the name, and then if you so wish you can shorten it yourself.

Tis then the childs choice what they want to use later in life.

I'm not that keen on my full name, in fact as my parents are no longer alive I am seldom called it, BUT I do like to be able to use if for offical stuff (maybe because I am one of those farking snobbs you referred to)...

at ghosty's AliG impression

'We is named'? Good grammar ghosty ...
That should read, "DS is named ..."

We is named one name but we call him a shortened version of it and have done since he was a few days old. We had friends who called him another shortened version of it because they 'preferred it' ...
I was too riddled with PND to do anything about it but cry every time they visited but it was farking rude of them and one day I will have my revenge

Like I said on the other baby name thread - just call your baby what you want to call him or her and fark what anyone else says ...

Is this rant inspired by the 'Bo' thread?

There's 'shortened' and there's 'blink and you miss it'.

Is the credit crunch even affecting how many letters of the alphabet we can afford?

We call DS the shortened version of his name

My mother went on and on about how she preferred the long version

and for some unknown reason, as I have never taken any notice of her before

I got the long version on his birth certificate

and now really wish that I hadn't

It's not his name and never will be

I really wanted to call my daughter by a shortened name (Livvy for Olivia) but we've all adopted my older daughters' early way of saying her name "Wivwa" wtf? We're idiots

Personally I really don't like nick/pet names as given names. I have a long name, my family always call me by a shortening of it, but as an adult I always use the full version. I think it is nice to have choice. Also I always think it a little strange to call your child a shortened version of a name you don't actually like.

But that is my personal view. I don't go around telling other people I don't like their names (well except on Mumsnet of course!)

hey MamaG

I have two children whose names get shortened and one child whose name gets lengthened.

And they all have nicknames.

Tell your MIL to MHOB and tell her you're calling the kid Clamydia.

Calm down OP!!
Why is it a problem???
You can call your child what the hell you like (though you may well get laffed at on here!!).
Personally I think a full name is good to go on the birth certificate, also because the full name will have a meaning, and mainly because it gives the child a choice about which to use.
But you call your kiddies whatever you like!

note - I do not think lower class are rough, I come from a council estate in inner City Liverpool - I am having a laugh

People who don't do nicknames are just so BORING.

I choose names precisely because they have lots of nicknames. We use all the names (short and long versions). DS prefers the long version of his name, while DD prefers the short version. They don't mind the other variations at all, though.

I have an very common name with no obvious nicknames, but people make them up, I like this. I interpret it as an effort to be friendly.