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Original poster

Proper Names v Nicknames

35 replies

jaffacakehips · 11/01/2012 21:55

I really love the name Kit for a boy, not Christopher or Christan but just plain Kit.

My concern is it's not a proper name in it's own right. Like Harry, Archie or Charlie.

I don't want to give him a name which may harm any future chances he may have (a long way off I know Grin) I know a few small boys called Jesse, Milo or Woody but no adults, so unable to judge.

IYO do you think nicknames as full names hold children back..? Or is just a load of total fucking bollocks! Hmm Confused

N.B - Disclaimer: Using above names as an examples don't have an issues with these names Smile

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mopsyflopsy · 11/01/2012 22:01

Everyone will have a different opinion on this.

Personally I'd rather be an Eleanor (and use Ellie as nickname) or an Alfred (with Alfie as nickname) because it gives me MORE options. Why remove those options before birth?

mopsyflopsy · 11/01/2012 22:02

And I certainly wouldn't want to be called Woody (erection!)....

Original poster
jaffacakehips · 11/01/2012 22:04

Mopsy you make as pre normal, grr a very good point Smile

OP posts:
lockets · 11/01/2012 22:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

poorbuthappy · 11/01/2012 22:48

I know a Kitt.
Just Kitt.
Lovely boy.

PuggyMum · 11/01/2012 23:04

I know a Kit. Aged about 28. He was a client of mine so I saw all his official docs :)

JestersHat · 11/01/2012 23:41

I think it's nice to have the choice of the longer version or the nickname. It's nice to have the distinction between the long formal name and the more informal nickname or "diminutive".

PercyFilth · 12/01/2012 01:52

I was only given a nn of a longer, classic name, and have always resented it. I don't like my name, it's monosyllabic and abrupt, and if I'd been given the longer name I'd have had the options of several other nns, plus of course the full version.

KatieMiddleton · 12/01/2012 02:23

Those examples you give aren't "proper" names either.

My dh has one of the "proper" names you've listed is always called it but his official name is the full version. It is completely not him. When we got married and the registrar called him by the full version I and the two witnesses got the giggles.

When we had ds we decided to just call him the diminutive version because we didn't really like the long name. So he's just Joe and it's perfect.

danceswithyarn · 12/01/2012 02:56

Officially I'm a Jennifer but always intended to be Jennie. Nowadays jen more often than not. Options are goodSmile

CheerfulYank · 12/01/2012 03:04

I prefer proper names, though I don't know why. I only liked "Sam" when DS was born, but I was completely unable to put that on the birth certificate. I just couldn't do it.

So he's Samuel, but always gets Sam unless he's in trouble. I like Samuel now, though. :)

Sluttybuttons · 12/01/2012 03:09

I loved the names harry and milie but felt they werent "proper" names. I ended up calling the twins harrison and emilie. That way when they are older they can decide what they want to be called. Thats just me though :)

Isthatajoke · 12/01/2012 03:13

One of our dc has a short version/nn as their full name. We didn't like the long name options, we wouldn't have used them. If they prefer the long name when they are older then I suppose they can call themselves it as a nn!! Seems silly to put a name you are not that keen on on a birth certificate with no intention of using it just in case they prefer it when they are older. They might prefer to be called something totally different anyway and think your choice of both full and nn to be terrible!!Grin

nooka · 12/01/2012 05:37

I really like Kit as a nn, but I don't think it works as a name in it's own right.

I like proper names with a variety of nns.

jellybeans · 12/01/2012 12:45

I think Kit is fine on its own. I have a long name with several nn and it is annoying. Short seems to informal, long too formal (only used at doctors etc) and middle one bit babyish perhaps sometimes. You can't really just 'switch' if you are always called your nn, it seems weird to change to another.

I see nn as more plays on a name such as Shaz, Kaz, Daz, etc and not short forms. Short forms aren't really nn. many names have come from a different name, even names we see as proper. EG, Benjamin from Benyamin. Many names have deviated from their original. I like short forms such as Ben, Sam etc but think Alfie, Archie etc are abit cutesy so for those would use long form (well maybe not Archibald).

I would just have Kit in your case as it is a strong name, a short form of a name. It's not cutesy or informal.

Original poster
jaffacakehips · 12/01/2012 14:07

We have a very good friend called Christopher/Chris whom we all adore, however my greatfriends DH is Christopher twat faced plonker we don't get on...i wouldn't say i hate him but he's not top of my Christmas card list totally asshole Due to this i really dislike the name Christopher. I think in all honestly i can't have a son called Kit or Kitt due to it being a shorted form of Christopher and how i view a certain person.
Sad Sad

OP posts:
Arwhen · 12/01/2012 14:21

I see it this way... Even if you only ever call him Kit, he might prefer a different nickname or his full name later in life. As others have said, it's all about the options.
I call my boys by their nicknames and never use the full names, but they are there if they need them. Remember it's not only about what you like, but what your son will like too.

hugebump3 · 12/01/2012 14:27

I think Kit is a cute nickname for a boy. I would, however, give your ds a 'longer' name because, as others have said, it gives him more options later on. Being Christopher, he can choose between Kit, Chris or Christopher (or another nickname altogether Smile). Good luck!

Indith · 12/01/2012 14:31

I'm a fan of "proper" names and personally wouldn't put Kit on teh birth certificate. however, that is personal preference and there isn't anything wrong with Kit. So long as you are not calling your child "satan" or "fuzzy wuzzy wobbly bear darling" then just call him whatever you want.

andypandypuddle · 12/01/2012 14:45

You cite 'Jesse' as an example? Jesse isn't a 'nickname' - it's a traditional Old Testament 'full' name?? I love Jesse

bumbez · 12/01/2012 15:26

Don't forget nicknames often come from your surname , when I was at school I was called Riggers ( from rigby) and wriggle bum. I fled to nursing school glad to escape those names but instead got called riggers of weather ( showing my age) from a tv add for wood preservative!

bumbez · 12/01/2012 15:28

Love the name kit though smiley face

candr · 12/01/2012 15:38

You may find by secondary school teachers keep using the long version anyway. I ha a friend Vikki who always got called Victoria, Chrissie was called Christine and Charlie Charlotte despite them not being their real names

Ephiny · 12/01/2012 15:44

Jesse and Milo aren't nicknames, as far as I know Confused.

I quite like Kit as a name in it's own right, a lot of people will assume it's a nickname though. I like Kitty for a girl as well, though might be inclined to go for Katherine as full name in that case, as it's a little bit 'cute' I guess!

PercyFilth · 12/01/2012 16:10

Another short form of Christopher is Christy (popular in Ireland). Just saying.

I wouldn't personally want to be called Kit: as it's a noun that crops up everywhere, there's ample piss-taking potential. First-aid kit, Airfix kit, kitbag, drum kit etc etc. Get your kit off Hmm

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