I'm looking for boys' names that:
(ii) aren't automatically shortened but
(i) don't sound formal without a nickname.
So nothing like Alexander, Alfred, Benjamin, Charles, Nicholas, Robert, Samuel, Theodore, Thomas and William. They are great names but they are almost always shortened to things like Alex, Alfie, Ben, Charlie, Nick, Rob, Sam, Theo, Tom and Will.
I don't mind if the name has nickname potential or not. (I don't mind nicknames but I like names on the birth certificate to actually be used - otherwise, what's the point?)
I'm thinking of names like Alistair (Ali), Patrick (Pat and Patch - but you're not automatically called them if you're a Patrick), and Rupert (Roo) or John and James.
Can you think of any others?
Thanks!