Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

Can you give a baby an unshortenable 3-syllable name?

41 replies

mrsrawlinson · 24/07/2009 16:31

I really love Juliet but I'm not sure it'll work while the baby's little. Same goes for Beatrice. The alternative is Anna, which I also love but am having doubts over whether it isn't a bit dull.

All two-pence-worths welcome!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
cece · 24/07/2009 17:00

Anna is beautiful and not dull at all! It was what DS2 was going to be called, but for obvious reasons we didn't use it!

LovingtheSilverFox · 24/07/2009 16:54

As Debi said, if you pick a short name it will get lengthened, or have an "y" added on the end.

Anyway, DC may have a nickname or something completely different, my bro is called "Dunge" after the dungeon master in Dungeons and Dragons, and "Stump" because he is short, neither of which have any bearing on his own name at all.

LovingtheSilverFox · 24/07/2009 16:51

As a family you can refuse to shorten, and like my DH, your DC can ask to be called by their full name, but growing up their friends will always shorten, that's why we chose names that can be shortened a few different ways, so they can pick which one they prefer.

What about Annabel? I love that name.

DebiNewberry · 24/07/2009 16:49

No, Anna is lovely. all 3 are pretty. If you give them a long name it gets shortened, and a very short name often gets lengthened ime

NorkilyChallenged · 24/07/2009 16:48

You can't stop people shortening names I'm afraid. You can ask people not to but once children are at school, it will happen anyway (DP has his name regularly shortened evne though he asks people not to and it has always happened, people at nursery -children mainly - are already shortening DD1's name). Unavoidable I'm afraid.

MrsTittleMouse · 24/07/2009 16:48

Even if you stop family from shortening them, you'll have no hope with her friends. My Dad had a work collegue called Ian who was shortend to I (pronounced Ee). You would have thought that you were safe with just three letters, wouldn't you?

Original poster
mrsrawlinson · 24/07/2009 16:46

Is Anna dull, then? Or am I ridiculously over-thinking this?!

OP posts:
Original poster
mrsrawlinson · 24/07/2009 16:44

Gosh, none of those shortenings had even occurred to me! I can't say any of them are especially appealing, and you're right, people will do it in any case. Has anyone successfully stopped this happening?

OP posts:
pointydog · 24/07/2009 16:44

Juliet is nice but I much prefer Julia.

I wouldn't get hung up on shortened versions - just call your baby what you want.

TheProfiteroleThief · 24/07/2009 16:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TheProfiteroleThief · 24/07/2009 16:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

mrsradders · 24/07/2009 16:42

i love juliet (ettie) and beatrice (bea) really lovely names.
x

steamedtreaclesponge · 24/07/2009 16:34

Oh, sorry - if you meant unshortenable as in you wouldn't shorten it, you have to be prepared for the fact that everyone else probably will!

Dumbledoresgirl · 24/07/2009 16:33

In what way are these names unshortenable? Juliet could be Jules, Julie, Ettie. Beatrice could be Bea, Trixy.

Or do you mean you want a name that cannot be shortened?

steamedtreaclesponge · 24/07/2009 16:33

You can shorten both of those! I know a Ju and a Jools and a Bea. Beatrice is my fave, by the way, I love it. Not sure about Juliet - the only one I know got horribly teased at school.

PrincessToadstool · 24/07/2009 16:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.