Does it have to match? My DD has always been known by the diminutive of a name but it has the other name on the Birth Certificate, I was talked into it as maybe she will want to use the full name when she's older (but I'm really not that keen on it and i'm the one that has to use it at the doctors etc!) It's one of those names that not everyone will know is a short version - think of Margaret but always known as Peggy, it has a different initial letter. That's not the real name. She is known as the diminutive name at school and really we would like her GCSE certificates to have this name on but I think they have to match the Birth Certificate? But then in the future that means that applying for jobs she will have to use the full name so that her qualifications match which will cause confusion. I wish I had just used the short name on the birth certificate! Anyone had this?