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Original poster

Changing my 3 year olds name?

45 replies

acrossthegardens · 10/02/2023 16:44

My son is called Theodore but is only ever called Theo and to be honest I've really gone off Theodore, I feel like Theo is perfectly fine in it's own right now.

How much of a hassle is it to change? Will he forever have to tick that he's changed his name on forms as an adult etc, when applying for licenses/passports? Am I giving him a life of admin?

OP posts:
WordtoYoMumma · 10/02/2023 18:42

But he might like Theodore when he is older 😊 I'd leave it, Theo will be the name he is always known as, that's the case for loads of people! My boys are Zachary and Daniel but you'd never know, they've always been Zac and Dan. And my nephew is Benjamin but only his grandma calls him that, to the rest of the world he is Ben or Benji. I always think shorter names sound like they are a nickname anyway so Theo will be assumed to be short for Theodore even if it isn't!

FWIW I love the name Theodore and my third boy would have been Theodore known as Theo. But she came out a girl 😂

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 10/02/2023 18:50

Just use the shortening.

Age 75 is was waiting with DM for a hospital appt. A nurse came and called for "Christina". No one moved. It was only when the nurse used "Christina"'s surname as well, that we realised it was her - she is so commonly called "Chrissy".

RosyappleA · 10/02/2023 19:00

It is incredibly easy to change and no you never need to mention it anywhere ever again. I would just do it.

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AngelinaFibres · 10/02/2023 19:21

When he goes to school the form you fill in will ask for his name. You put Theordore X . The box underneath will say something like name the child is known by. You put Theo in that box. The teacher will call him Theo and put that name on all his books, peg etc. It won't be a problem.
If he gets as far as graduating from Uni he will most likely fill in a card for the person to read out at the ceremony. Both my children had this. They put what they wanted to be called. Middle names weren't used.

MourningTea · 10/02/2023 19:35

3 is too late to change now.
My son is 3 in May and knows himself as his name I gave him at birth. He refers to himself all the time. I think it would be confusing to change it now.
Theodore is in fashion, my sisters second is called Theodore but she refers to him as teddy.

2bazookas · 10/02/2023 20:03

Its his name on his BC and when he grows up his opinion on "Theo" may differ from yours . Theo has no alternatives, Theodore has 3 or 4 counting Ted and Teddy. Much more flexible.

He can perfectly well be Theodore on all official paper work (Passport, bank, drivers license) and Theo socially and at work as his everyday name. Countless William/ Bills , James /Jims, already do this.

TheFormidableMrsC · 10/02/2023 20:29

I'd just always refer to his shortened name. I have the reverse problem. My son's name is shortened by everybody but me. I realise this will happen as he's 11 but it's annoying. It's not his name but as an example it's along the lines of "Timothy", his friends call him "Tim" but some people call him "Timmy", indeed his year six teacher shortened it to that. I was a bit annoyed to be honest!

NeedSomeSpace · 10/02/2023 20:34

Every school will be able to record a 'known as' name on their computer system. This usually means that registers etc will have have Theo.

My daughter went by a shortened version of her first name right up until she was 10 when she decided she wanted to go by her full name! If she wants to change it at any point, she can do that as an adult and then any paperwork nightmares will be her own!

OnaBegonia · 10/02/2023 20:38

Do you think people born James and called Jamie their whole
life 'change their name'? you're being silly.

LittleBearPad · 10/02/2023 20:45

RosyappleA · 10/02/2023 19:00

It is incredibly easy to change and no you never need to mention it anywhere ever again. I would just do it.

But that’s not true is it. He’ll always have to fill in the questions about whether he had another name which will be hugely tedious

Afonavon · 10/02/2023 21:02

Two or three generations ago people intentionally gave their children formal names, however used shortened nicknames. It is quite a recent thing to use shortened versions on birth certificates.

My older relatives, for example are:

James (called Jim)
William (Billy/Bill)
Ellen (Nellie)
Margaret (Meg/Peggy)

It gives most options for the child as they move through life.

There are also children in my kids’ school officially named:
Charles (called exclusively Charlie)
Penelope (Penny)
Charlotte (Loti)

It’s not odd to have a formal first name which is not used, you never know when he will want to have the option to use his full name in the future.

jacult · 10/02/2023 21:06

I know so three people who have always been known by their middle names. All over 18 so could change by deed poll, but have never got round to it. One is my uncle and had no idea he was born with that not being his first name - I see him at least once a month!!

Hungrycaterpillarsmummy · 10/02/2023 21:06

I wouldn't change it officially. My name is long so I go by a shortened version and only use the long one on official docs. It's fine!

frostyfours · 10/02/2023 22:27

Wish my mum had officially changed my name to my nickname. Would have saved me a job! Bloody hate my full name. I was named it in case I wanted it in adulthood - I'm in my 40s now and I definitely don't!

x2boys · 11/02/2023 00:07

I.Wouldn't I have an Alexander ,he's been known as Alex since he was a baby ,personally I prefer the long name on the birth certificate ,rather than using just the shortened everyday name .

Redglitter · 11/02/2023 00:28

My friends daughter is Elizabeth. The only time I've ever heard her called that was at her christening. She's always been Libby. Everyone calls her that, I don't think she'd even respond to Elizabeth now but it's no big deal her being called an abbreviation of her official name.

Changing it would be a pointless exercise. Just keep calling him Theo

LovelyIssues · 16/07/2023 17:19

I find it so bizarre that people give their child a name they intentionally will not use like "Charles" but only calling them Charlie. "Maximus" but only call them Max. Just name them the name you're going to call them!!

LittleBearPad · 16/07/2023 19:20

LovelyIssues · 16/07/2023 17:19

I find it so bizarre that people give their child a name they intentionally will not use like "Charles" but only calling them Charlie. "Maximus" but only call them Max. Just name them the name you're going to call them!!

No, you need the full version for when they’re in trouble!

JoshLymanIsHotterThanSam · 16/07/2023 19:26

My eldest DS is known by his initials. He has never been called by his official first name by us as his parents. He’s 15 and so far no signs of wanting to be known by his first name. School have his initials as his known as name.

But he has his grown up name for should he ever want to use it.

Don’t change your boys name officially, it’s no necessary or worth it. As someone who has been known by the shortened version of her very 80’s full name (think Katy for Katherine) for the whole of my adult life it really hasn’t affected me in anyway.

SamanthaVimes · 16/07/2023 19:35

LittleBearPad · 16/07/2023 19:20

No, you need the full version for when they’re in trouble!

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Absolutely! I have a “Ted” But he gets “Edward!” When he’s up to no good

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