AIBU to wonder about names in the past.

206 replies

Wiseplumnet · 17/07/2026 08:58

AIBU to ask if anyone has noticed this, and if they do, what the reason for it is. I am in my 60's, so my grandparents were all born in the 'Edwardian' era and not one of them were called by their actual names. Some of them were so different from their given names, not diminutives like Dottie for Dorothy but more like Nora for Gladys! Names bearing no relation to first or even middle names. My Grandfather was called James John but every called him 'Bertie'. I have come across this in other families too. I thought I would ask a bigger group ( ie mumsnet) to see if anyone else has noticed or pondered this. I think I got too much time on my hands 😂

OP posts:

Almakarlinsghost · 20/07/2026 13:17

SerendipityJane · 17/07/2026 18:33

What I find weird is how many people who would claim to be English born and bred are in anyway surprised at this. Unless it's the faintest remains of a fault line around the English class system. (Edward VII being called Bertie and all that). I comes across as dicking around with names is somehow something other people do.

Many years ago, a friend who is Muslim had her first baby - a daughter. Congratulations all round led to name chat. She told me that they had already chosen a name that would used everyday. However the "proper" name would have to wait until their Imam had advised. Which was their custom.

Vaguely reminded me of the first time I discovered there is such a thing as a "church name".

I've worked with a few people whose everyday name is a far cry from their "real" name. Either because of pronunciation, or just to avoid confusion.

Edward VII's name was Albert Edward. He used Edward as a regnal name because of precdent. But in his family - well, he was just known by his first name...

Waterbaby41 · 20/07/2026 13:19

My Dad's family - from Sussex - all have nicknames, none bear any resemblance to their birth names!! This is all relatives!! Aunts, cousins, parents, grandparents - and back even fury. And no one knows why!!

TheLovelinessOfDemons · 20/07/2026 13:21

GuavaBanana · 19/07/2026 21:35

My children have "family" names, it's a nice connection through the generations. They also have distinctive first names, as my family tree is about 90% John Jones and William Williams.

I am known by a random name, nothing to do with my actual name (and not to do with WW2 either! Love how many people missed the joke!).

For everyone with elderly relatives with random names I share this wonderful, rather sad poem by Wendy Cope.

genius.com/Wendy-cope-names-annotated

It says page not found for me.

Daisyinthegrass · 20/07/2026 14:22

My partner and I are trying for a baby. We've discussed names. He's suggested names such as Jack George Thomas Surname but calling the child Tommy - I've asked why not just use that as a first name? None of the names he's suggested have been family names, and he goes by his first name, as do his siblings. His parent's generation though all seem to go by completely random nicknames.

ParsleySageToiletDuckAndBinBags · 20/07/2026 14:36

Daisyinthegrass · 20/07/2026 14:22

What is his thinking behind that? Does he genuinely think that it's wise to give somebody a name and then use a different name? Yes, it's his middle name, but the longstanding convention is that a middle name is not the name you are intended to go by.

If he wanted to open a greengrocer's shop, would he call it 'Anytown Bookshop' (with 'purveyors of fruit and vegetables' buried in the business description) - and then be surprised both when people came asking for Austen, Dickens and bestseller titles and not coming in to buy their carrots and bananas?

Sharptonguedwoman · 20/07/2026 15:37

didntlikeanyofthesuggestions · 17/07/2026 09:01

Everyone was given fake names in the Second World War for security purposes. Most of them stuck.

Pardon?

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