Is Alfie really a no no for a birth certificate?

[bytheMoonlight]

Because I really like it but really dislike Alfred?

Personally I'd use full names for Archie/Charlie/Harry too.

Pretty sure that the many Alfies I know are not Alfreds. Alfred is a much, much nicer name IMHO.

abbypumpkin I can't see the point of putting one name when you'll only ever call them something else. I don't think it gives options as I've never known anyone that goes by another name than the one that is was used by their parents

Of course it gives options. I have encountered plenty of examples. Michael has always been called Mike in the family, but he is Mick to his wife and most of his friends. Patricia is Trish to the family, but Pat to colleagues and neighbours. Katherine is Katie or Kate to her parents and siblings, but her boyfriend calls her Kathy.

I have a long name and only go by one form of it, it is annoying having different ones!

"I would like to think that, squoosh. But I don't think it's true. My dd went from a very socially mixed primary school to a grammar school. And much though I hate it, the grammar school is more likely to produce lawyers, surgeons and prime ministers than the high school. And painful though it is to tell you, the grammar school is wall to wall Charlottes and Emilys and Emmas. Not a Ellie-Boo or Kylie in sight. Not sure which is cause qnd which is effect, though!"

Assuming that the assessment into the grammar school was based on academic credentials, this would strongly suggest that not their name got them into the school but that parents who chose such names were more likely to be educated.

And I agree with previous posters that Alfred is much nicer, more solid and gives your ds more options later on in life. I mean, would you really want to go through life as 'Alfie'? Also, think about how the name works in other languages/countries - who knows where our children may work/live/study one day?

jellybeans fair play, that's your choice. But at least you have a choice.

My sister lives in Liverpool and her extended family in-law is full of Alfie's - think grandad/uncle/nephew etc. Depends where you are in the country I reckon, you can't call a 90 year old Alfie 'faddish'. They're not shortened names either, that's their full name.

I personally would always use the full name on the BC - when we have a DD, her BC will say Elizabeth but we will call her Theo, because I love the name Theo but I want to give her options. I think its better to give them options, and nn on BC don't age at all well.

I know where you are coming from with Alfred, its not a great name, but as ever, its your choice! Just remember that your DC has no choice in this matter and he might like one in 20 years time.

And people do judge, a lot, based on your name - you do assume a Talysha will be a Talysha, and they are rarely lawyers. People who send their children to smart private schools and push them give the children very different silly made up names to the council house silly made up names.