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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be perplexed when people give their children nicknames as proper names

119 replies

ElphabaTheGreen · 22/12/2012 18:52

For example, there are a lot of little Charlies about at the moment - none are called Charles. Similarly, lots of Harries (none are Henry), Alfies (no Alfreds thank God) and a friend has given both of hers what I would consider to be nicknames (Evie and Libby, not Eve and Elizabeth).

Discuss.

OP posts:
Psammead · 22/12/2012 19:42

I have a personal preference for longer, more formal names on the birth certificate to give the child more options later in life. I'm a Victoria and have used various forms, but am now known almost exclusively as Vik. I am glad I have Victoria as my sunday name, though. It just makes official things seem properly official, somehow.

But that's my name and my children's names. I couldn't give a flying one what other people choose to call their children.

Ilovexmastime · 22/12/2012 19:50

I've just realised that whereas I refuse to answer to the most common nickname of my name, my brother refuses to answer to his full name, only his nickname. I guess at least we have the choice...

spottyock · 22/12/2012 19:52

Stranded, I know of a Tree too. Although ironically it's a shortened version of their full name.

My name is a shortened version of another name but still a name in its own right. Some people try to call me the longer version and are perplexed when I tell them that's not my name!

Our angel baby was named after his dad and grandad but is known only by a nickname.

notsofrownieface · 22/12/2012 19:55

Just be thankful that you are not called Holly at Christmas, when you were born in summer Hmm thanks ma and pa! Xmas Grin

SayMama · 22/12/2012 20:02

I know what you mean. Our dog's called Max. But if dogs had birth certificates he wouldn't be Max. He's Maximus Decimus Meridius. Although he usually just gets his full name if he's got into the fridge Hmm

Xmas Grin
aufaniae · 22/12/2012 20:14

Language evolves. Names change over time.

Daisy for example is now seen as a name in its own right, but it used to be a NN for Margaret.
Lisa is a diminutive of Elizabeth, as is Beth and Eliza.
Going back further in time, James is from Jacob.

Do you complain that all James should be Jacobs? No (I suspect) as our language has moved on.

Don't be perplexed, OP! It's simply that language, and names, are constantly evolving.

Fighting it is futile I'm afraid Xmas Wink

Moominsarescary · 22/12/2012 20:14

We have a Tommy. He is named after his grandad who was Tommy not Thomas. Also I don't really like Thomas

KristinaM · 22/12/2012 20:16

Thank you, there is always soemone on mumsnet who knows the answer to these difficult issues in life ;-)

TheHoneyDragonsDrunkInTheIvy · 22/12/2012 20:22

How can you compare Littering to using a nickname as a given name? Hmm

Based on that I think some of you must find more than just this perplexing Grin

StrawberryTot · 22/12/2012 20:28

Both my dc's have 'proper' names however I very rarely refer use them as I use their nickname shortened version particularly with my dd as ds has an unusual name. Dd (6) though often tells me off and then proceeds to phonetically pronounce her proper name to me! Smile

Ummofumbridge · 22/12/2012 20:34

redexpat I am Catherine but have never in my life been called anything but Kate or Katie.
Confused
People sometimes get quite aggressive 'well why are you Katie when your real name is Catherine'?
Sorry - blame the patents!!
I agree in some cases. I kind of feel Evie is a bit nicknamey and a few others but I guess that's how names evolve. Like a pp said - unless you call your dc something completely offensive then who am I to judge?

Ummofumbridge · 22/12/2012 20:34

parents not the patents.
Idiot

Bobyan · 22/12/2012 20:42

Someone once told me that when naming your children you should make sure that the name passes the high court judge test - so what sounds cute when they're three may not sound so great when they're lord justice (insert nickname) Grin

ivykaty44 · 22/12/2012 20:44

My name is Katherine and I HATE IT. Would much rather have had Kate or Katy on my birth certificate. Why would you give your child a name and then not use it?

See now, I'm also a Katherine and was always Kate / Katie and didn't like it. Much prefer being called by my full name and am therefore really glad that I wasn't just called Kate.

But if you are just named Katy then you can be called katherine if you wish - you just tell people when you meet them that is your name and what you liked to be addressed by - it works both ways around.

Op what about names like Hannah or Eliza, are they nn as they are shortened versions or are they ok?

OpheliasWeepingWillow · 22/12/2012 20:44

I only use my nickname,
Professionally and personally. Frankly I wish my parents have gone straight to the nickname and bypassed the proper name.

PenguinBear · 22/12/2012 20:45

This is do bizarre Confused. is this a piss take?

It's very old fashioned to be called Elizabeth, Libby is much nicer! And what is wrong with Evie? Surely Eve is just another appreciation for Evelyn? Or Evangeline?

YABU!

Shelly32 · 22/12/2012 20:45

I have two girls, one with what the OP would refer to as a nickname: Lottie, and one that is what I'd imagine she'd see as a 'proper' name: Lucinda. I don't think we've ever called Lucinda by her proper name, just Lucy/Luci/Lucie...who cares???

Pochemuchka · 22/12/2012 20:47

Not sure why it's perplexing?

The parents use the name they like.
Also, if people can change a more formal birth certificate name, say Katherine to a nickname like Kate, why can't someone whose birth certificate says Charlie, for example, choose to use a more formal name when they get older, if they wish?
Surely 'nicknames' can work both ways?

Ps I know a little Alfred and he's gorgeous

Startail · 22/12/2012 20:48

DD1 has my NN as her second name.

Firstly because I never use my full name.
(Both me and DSIL have as our second name the names our mums were known by, so we decided to keep the tradition.)

Secondly it works better with our longish surname.

badguider · 22/12/2012 20:49

As far as I know, universities don't refuse degree certificates in Law or Medicine to Debbies or Beths or Harrys...

On the other hand, having a passport or bank account in a name you never ever use can be a real pain. Particularly if it's a different first initial. I recently wrote an expenses cheque to a lady at work she couldn't cash because her name isn't her 'real' name Xmas Confused

badguider · 22/12/2012 20:52

btw. what is Hannah a nn for??

Blu · 22/12/2012 20:55

YABU

Alisvolatpropiis · 22/12/2012 20:56

YANBU but...

Harry is Welsh and originally spelt Harri. It might have been used as a nickname but isn't one originally.

TheCraicDealer · 22/12/2012 20:57

I have always been known as the nn version of my name to friends and family, but I'm bloody glad my parents gave me the full version on my birth certificate. My nn conjures up images of 80's American Cheerleaders or "....Does Dallas" if you get my meaning. The full version sounds a lot more "adult" and professional and I much, much prefer it. That's what I get called at work, through choice. Unfortunately it's too late to get my family to change and start calling me the long version unless they're telling me off for something

MrsKeithRichards · 22/12/2012 21:03

Does Brian sound like a lord justice name?

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