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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

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Original poster

Deborah nn Dora?

40 replies

darldoll · 31/12/2011 13:19

What do you think? I know Deb/Debby is the most common nn for Deborah but surely that's a thing of the past and dying out?

OP posts:

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Kayano · 31/12/2011 13:37

The thing is you can't always control nicknames

I don't know about Deborah because it makes me think of 1980s and also (this is just my own personal biased opinion)... I have never met a Deborah/ Debbie that I liked

Sorry x

Original poster

darldoll · 31/12/2011 13:41

I think you can control nicknames. If she is Dora from the very start... I know many people who go by their middle name and have done since birth and no one knows any different.
The fact that you don't like anyone called Deborah is irrelevant to me.

OP posts:

greenmoo · 31/12/2011 13:53

I agree that you can control nicknames but if you like the name Dora why not just call her Dora? Or another name Dora is a diminutive of - Isadora, Theodora etc. If you want to use Deborah coz it's a family name or something maybe use it as a middle name. Get the impression you're not overly keen on it. I think with any name you have to like the long form as much as the nickname. You're going to be writing it on official forms for a long, long time...

GlaikitFizzEggNog · 31/12/2011 13:56

If you are chosing a name for a nickname id go for isadora for nn dora.

Deborah is a bit harsh sounding to me.

Original poster

darldoll · 31/12/2011 14:03

Deborah is a family name that I would very much like to use. May use it in the middle but I like it and love Dora so makes sense to use it as a first name.

OP posts:

GwendolineMaryLacedwithBrandy · 31/12/2011 14:07

Deborah is a beautiful name. I tried to convince DH but... I am of the opinion that nicknames are hard to control though and have had to discount several names I like because I'm not happy with what would inevitably be the nn.

It's controllable when they're young I think but particularly when they get to secondary school all bets are off. You'd be taking a risk but it is a lovely name.

exoticfruits · 31/12/2011 14:11

I would choose Deborah. The only person who can control a nickname is the person themselves (when old enough). Parents have no control at all so I really wouldn't worry.

Casmama · 31/12/2011 14:14

I'm not sure it is long enough after Dora the explorer to go with that as a nickname but do like Deborah.

AnnieLobeseder · 31/12/2011 14:15

I'm a Deborah (sticks tongue out at Kayano), and go by Derah (so that's me well and truly outed then!! ). Debs and Debbie have always made me cringe so when I moved away at 21 I made a fresh start with my own nn.

Not sure about Dora, but if that's what you use, other people will too. DD2 is Alexandra but we call her Allie (even more outed now) and everyone else does too.

EssentialFattyAcid · 31/12/2011 14:23

Go for Dora
Or Dorathea maybe?
Deborah certainly won't be called Dora once she goes to school as you won't be able to control nicknames.

Original poster

darldoll · 31/12/2011 14:25

Of course you can control nicknames! If someone tried to change my nickname I would correct them. When they start school you put their preferred name on the form (this will be used at all times) - I know this as I'm a teacher.

OP posts:

EssentialFattyAcid · 31/12/2011 14:27

Dream on darldoll! The key difference here is that you are an adult!!!

EssentialFattyAcid · 31/12/2011 14:29

You are not able to control what other chidren call your dd at school and neither will she be able to, even assuming she doesn't actually like being called Debs or whatever as she will have her own opinions too and they may even differ from yours!!

EssentialFattyAcid · 31/12/2011 14:30

Eg I can call you Dolly and you can call me Fatso

FellatioNelson · 31/12/2011 14:30

It won't work AT ALL unless she is known as Dora from Day 1 by everybody, in which case why bother naming her Deborah? If you make it known that her name is Deborah but you choose to call her Dora, then I promise the rest of the world will just call her Debs.

Casmama · 31/12/2011 14:31

If you are so determined that you are right then why bother starting the thread?

exoticfruits · 31/12/2011 14:31

I made it quite clear in my post that the only person to control is the DC themselves-they can insist. The parent has no control whatsoever, beyond in their own home and under 5yrs.

exoticfruits · 31/12/2011 14:34

I know a DC called Jamie by his parents-he was called it from birth and although he had James on his birth certificate, they had never intended to use it. When he was 8yrs he announced he was James, every time he got Jamie he corrected it. You can try Dora as a nickname-she might prefer Debbie.

GwendolineMaryLacedwithBrandy · 31/12/2011 14:35

Fine, except that your dd might prefer Debbie and hate Dora, you can't do anything about that. And stop being so bloody aggressive. Don't ask if you don't want opinions.

Clawdy · 31/12/2011 14:37

Dora sounds frumpy and maiden-auntish,and Deborah is 1980s,similar to Tracey and Karen...sorry...

AnnieLobeseder · 31/12/2011 14:39

I'd have to disagree with you, Fellatio. The obvious contraction of DD2's name is Alex, but apart from my confused Dad who never sees her anyway, everyone calls her Allie, like we do. And no-one except my mum calls me Debs. Why would anyone call the OP's child Debs when it's made known that her preferred name is Dora?

exoticfruits · 31/12/2011 14:40

Because we do not as yet know what the DCs preferred name is Annie-it may not be Dora.

Original poster

darldoll · 31/12/2011 14:51

But how would you know her name is Deborah? And if you do know her name is Deborah you'd hardly, on first meeting, call her Debs would you!

OP posts:

Original poster

darldoll · 31/12/2011 14:54

Likewise I wouldn't (nor would any sane person) call a James, Jamie or a William, Billy without knowing that was their nickname. It's common sense.

OP posts:

AnnieLobeseder · 31/12/2011 14:54

I agree that as the child gets older they may change their preferred name on their own, as I did. But some posters seem to be saying that folk will call the child Debbie or Debs instead of Dora before the child states her own preference, which doesn't happen in my experience. DD2 may well choose to take on any of the other various contractions of Alexandra when she's older, but for now, everyone uses the preferred name that we have chosen.

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