To think that deciding on a shortening/nickname for a DC's name is actually quite common?

[Thurlow]

Apologies, this is half a thread about a thread. Or lots of threads.

I feel like I read loads on times on Baby Names comments that 'nicknames develop over time', or how you shouldn't start with a shortened version and work out to a longer name.

Obviously this applies when your child is still known as Moo because she made a noise like a cow when she was a baby... But not when you're thinking that you want to call your daughter Katie, and then work out to decide of they should be a Katherine, Kathryn etc.

Is it just me, or is it actually quite common in RL to decide at the start that you want a Benjamin nn Ben, William nn Billy, Elizabeth nn Libby etc?

(I should qualify that this isn't exactly bothering me. I'm slightly bored this afternoon...)

Sometimes the shortened versions are more suited to a young person, and the full names better for when they are older.

The choice is there for them and they can do what they like. It makes no difference to anyone else.

whoknows - I was only referring to those who give the children a 'proper name' on the birth certificate of which they will never use.

I understand that some people do it to give the child a choice though. I wish I'd had a choice.

My DH is already planning ahead as to what DS's nickname will be (DS is only 10 week a old) and has been said nicknames can't be predicted, they evolve. I just leave him to it

Fair enough. I just feel that those of us who give long names on birth certificates and use short names (or both long and short) day to day get a lot of stick on MN and there is no justifiable reason for that, it's just preference.

Guilty of putting long names on the BC, but calling them by shortened version here and unrepentant

That's if I bother calling them by their names that is. Currently they are Smelz and Stinx...

I don't like shortened forms being given as names.

Katie, Harry, Beth, Peggy et al really grate.
I don't like those which are probably no longer thought of as shortened such as Linda or Sandra.

I like the fact that when they grow up they have choice of whether they want to be known by the short or longer version of their name. Interestingly, I like both shortened version of my DD's names but they get callled by their longer names by pretty much everybody.
Seriously don't get the issue with this.

I am not sure how it affects anyone else. As I said upthread nobody knows that what we call the DC isn't what it says on their birth certificate.

What are Linda and Sandra short versions of?

Belinda and Cassandra I would think?

Or possibly Alexandra for Sandra?

I don't think that's true who, I've never seen anyone get stick for using a longer name on the bc. It tends to be the other way round from what I've seen

After all Tommy or Joe don't pass the judge test, Thomas or Joseph do

My MIL is called Sandra.....next time I see her I'll ask if that her BC name or whether it's short for something

My children are both christened with shortened versions of an original name, eg Liz and Bill. Cut to the chase I say!

Belinda / Melinda and Alexandra / Cassandra?

Linda - Melinda or Belinda or possibly even Lucinda
Sandra -Cassandra or Alexandra

Sorry x-post.

Db is Alexander. Called Alex by my dad, Sandy by my mum and Xander by his friends. Try all you want, people always call you something else.

So if you hate the nickname Joe, but want to use Joseph, I don't think you've got a cat in hells chance.

What I don't like is when parents name their child, but by the time they are school age then it's quite common for nicknames to develop organically among classmates, and when you have a parent stomping around because little Alexandra-Marie-Sally is now being called Alex by her classmates, then that is when it gets silly. As far as I'm concerned, unless the child themselves doesn't like being called by the nickname, then the parent needs to unclench and accept that it is just what happens among children (and often adults as well).

I've seen it time and time again Havanna.

I agree midnite - my DH is convinced our son's nickname will be 'Az' and is thrilled about it. I on the other hand am not.

But like you said, there's bugger all I can do about it if that's what DS wants to be called by his friends - there's no point me stressing about something I can't control

A nickname is not always a short form (I agree with long name on birth cert and small name for day to day use though.)

In Scotland we have Degsy for Derek, Eck for Alexander, Boaby for Robert. Wullae for William, Shug for Hugh...I don't think you would put those short forms on birth certificates though. I also know a Wee Popey (John Paul) Magic Mark (who isn't actually called Mark, or Magic for that matter), Ferret (I don't know his real name) and Roid (Thomas). Names don't have that much sense to them, at least not around these parts.

I love that 'Wee Popey' for John Paul, shockingly

I used to know a guy called 'George n' Ringo' for similar reasons... :o

Wee Popey That's amazing!

'I just feel that those of us who give long names on birth certificates and use short names (or both long and short) day to day get a lot of stick on MN and there is no justifiable reason for that, it's just preference.'

Ummmm, no. Completely disagree. It's definitely the other way around on MN. There are sniffy reactions when posters say their child's birth cert name is just Katie and not Katherine. People witter on about her having 'options' later on in life as obviously a Katie will never be employed with such a frivolous name.

Wow, I just wanted a Kate and knew it was short for Katherine, so that's what I did. Didn't think about it too hard - glad I didn't know it was common of me!