To not like nicknames as full names?

[newuser9632794]

Some (secondary school aged) children in my family have nicknames as full names and as they grow older I feel the names suiting them less and less.

Some of the names,

Melly
Stevie
Bobby
Ali
Ricky

AIBU to think that naming children nicknames doesn't age well and that full names on the birth certificates are more fitting?

What is Melly short for ?

I was always taught that you should have a full name which will sound decent being read out in court. If you're a barrister it will make you sound like you deserve to be in such a position. If you're the criminal it will make you sound like you don't deserve to be in such a position.

Full names don't ever have to be used in everyday life. But they're good to have.

Melissa
Melody
Imelda
Amelia

FFS, read the post! OP has clearly said Melly etc is on the birth certificate so not short for anything.

I tend to agree with OP, but I'm willing to accept I'm old fashioned. I like classic names, preferably short enough that they don't lend themselves to diminutives. That's what I did with my DC, anyway.

There's a trend these days for diminutives/short forms of names as given names. Note - they aren't nicknames, those are different and unrelated to actual names, like Ginger or Shorty or something. Diminutives, please.

I don't like the trend for diminutives personally. I mean, call him Freddie if you absolutely must but at least put the more dignified Frederick on the birth certificate.

But then I'm old and traditional, and I have to accept that naming styles change.

It's not short for anything, these are the names on the birth certificate.
But traditionally I suppose it would be short for Melissa

I agree @FarmGirl78 @DramaAlpaca

It just seems to be so restrictive also.
Melly is very "cutesy"
Bobby would be much better as Robert and then they have so much more room to pick a nickname should they wish.

I'm imagining when they're older and applying for something. What is your name? "Ricky", what's your full name? "That is my full name"

Obviously some traditional "nicknames" have now become common as first names eg David (although I still prefer Dave)

One of my daughters is Penny, it's also that on her birth certificate.

Mine has shortened version of a long name. It’s not the cute version though. I didn’t see the point in long version that I didn’t like and wouldn’t use

It’s similar to Tom as official name instead of Thomas. It’s a normal name imo, and has Tommy as cute version or nickname, Thomas isn’t needed, as Tom is fine as a Doctor name

They aren’t nicknames, they’re diminutives. My baby is due any day and if it’s a boy he’s going to have a very normal name on paper but go by a diminutive day to day. I think it’s important to have the option especially as an adult.

My second has a diminutive and I absolutely love his name - I don’t like the ‘full’ versions and are nothing like his name at all!

My first has a long version of a name and it’s naturally shortened sometimes. We call him both versions as we like the full name and the shortening.

Im personally of the belief it’s a bit odd to put something on the birth certificate if you are Never going to call them that full name ever.

My son is called Leo, which I know is a name in its own right, but I actually wanted Leonardo on his birth certificate. DH vetoed 😄

I can't say they're my favourite names but I'd take that over made up/alternative spelling/nobody knows how to spell/say!

YANBU Lots of people simply don't consider the power of names.

One of my friends has a diminutive name.

Since he was a teen he's been asked what is his "proper" name is when completing forms, applying for jobs, actually getting jobs, etc.

He doesn't have children but has made it clear to everyone that giving a child a diminutive name, particularly if a name that is very fashionable at the time, is going to cause them hassle later on.

Oddly his siblings haven't given their children diminutive names and neither have any of his friends who have asked him about his name...

I think you have to take into account how much naming trends have changed. If you called your son Teddy now he would be in the same year as Kit, Hunter, Tilly, Freddie, Ronnie, Hattie, Luna, Milo - these will be the same people he’ll be up against for jobs. He would sound more different/out of place being called Richard or Robert. I recently went to a baby group and there was a baby called John which just seemed so strange now!

I've just never really cared about other peoples names enough. So many people do, guess it's an interesting subject

I get what you're saying BUT it doesn't bother, offend or upset me and certainly isnt something I would start a thread on mumsnet over.

Because they like the name? I have 3 DC. The first one has a name I never planned to shorten but it’s naturally happened. My middle one has a shortened version of a name and that’s what’s on her birth certificate,(The shortened version not the long name) no one has ever asked me what her “proper” name is.
My youngest has a name that could easily have many nicknames but we always use her full name, in fact I call her first name/middle name a lot even though it’s not double barrelled.

They’re just names.

My first kid I put the full name on birth cert and the hassle it causes is unreal. Booking flights. Registered name at dr.’s etc. Regret doing it.

Melly can be Mel
Stevie can be Steve
Bobby can be Bob
Ali can be Al if a boy, Ali is a perfectly acceptable girls name
Ricky can be Rick

If you’re the barrister why would you give a shit? Also pretty sure Roberts and Johns still get convicted of crimes.

I know it’s not on there but there are 500 kids called Teddy in every play group I go to and I wince every time I hear it. I can only imagine that many a Teddy will go by Ed when they’re older to escape the cutesiness and be taken seriously.

I personally would put the longer name on the birth cert but YABVU as loads of people don't any more and do their names won't stand out among their peers at all.

OP do you object to Jack?

Or Harry…

My sibling called their daughter Kate, every date she is asked what is it short for, what’s your proper name, is that with a C or a K etc

but I guess it’s a conversation starter