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Original poster

Would u just have a nick name as a first name?

88 replies

Emmiedarling · 13/09/2012 13:09

....Freddie...

Originally going to have Frederick, but in reality I just like Freddie & it goes nicely with my chosen middle name (Richard) (my fathers name)

Thoughts?

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SillyBeardyDaddyman · 13/09/2012 13:11

Give him the full name. It'll sound better if he grows up to be a lawyer and he can always shorten it himself if he wants to.

HokeyCokeyPigInAPokey · 13/09/2012 13:12

There's a Freddie in my dds school, he's not a Frederick.

My brothers middle name is Frederick and he hates it to the point of denial.

juneau · 13/09/2012 13:14

The way I think is this: a shortened name like that is lovely for a little boy, but what about a 30-year-old man? A fifty-year-old man? The managing director of a big company? A forklift driver? A ship's captain? Nearly always with shortened names they sound fine and lovely for a little boy, but a bit babyish for a big man. Plus, even if you go for the longer version there is nothing to stop you calling him the shortened version his entire life, if you want to, but it gives him more options in the future for what he wants to be known as.

squoosh · 13/09/2012 13:20

I think some nicknames can work fine as 'official' names, usually when they?re pretty different to the formal version e.g. Jack (John), Daisy (Margaret), Harry (Henry).

With names like Freddie and Alfie though, I think you?re better off using the long version, as they can sound a bit babyish on an adult. That?s just my own personal opinion.

Startailoforangeandgold · 13/09/2012 13:36

I never ever use my full name.
Would be perfectly happy to have the short form on my BC. However, it's not a cute shortening.

BardOfBarking · 13/09/2012 13:54

I think it's bonkers to put a name on a birth certificate that you don't like and don't intend to use. Also the 'what if he's a lawyer' statement is snobbish, the name does not define you or limit your capabilities;
Cupcake Brown - Lawyer
Teddy Roosevelt - President of the USA
(Yes I know he was a Theodore but using the name Teddy did not limit his life chances, he didn't get to be president because his real name was Theodore)

Use Freddie, the name does not maketh the man.
Here endeth the lesson Grin

BardOfBarking · 13/09/2012 13:56

Also, slightly biased as I use a shortened version of my name personally and professionally and since about the age of 11 have outright lied and denied that the long version is my actual name.

2 out of 3 of my dc have shortened versions of traditional names on their birth certificate.

Disclaimer - my third DC is not called Cupcake!

lisaro · 13/09/2012 14:03

Bard those names are valid, but this isn't America (we have no oil).

RobinSparkles · 13/09/2012 14:07

I know a Freddie that is just Freddie, an Olly who is just Olly an Alfie who is just Alfie etc.

I used to be a little bit of the "they're too cutesy to be first names" thought but I've changed my mind! I think that names grow with the person.

When I was little I could never have imagined an adult with my RL name. It was a child's name. Now I couldn't imagine a child with it IYSWIM.

People often bring the doctor/lawyer thing up on these threads but do we call them by their first names? Doctors are usually known by their surnames.

RobinSparkles · 13/09/2012 14:09

It never did Tony Blair any harm!

MadBusLady · 13/09/2012 14:13

I wouldn't because I don't see what you've got to lose by giving him the option. I think Alfred could also be short for Freddie, just in case that's any better?

CapuccinoCannoliLover · 13/09/2012 14:14

I love Freddie, it was one of my top names for DS2. Agree with BardofBarking.

squoosh · 13/09/2012 14:16

The only grown up Freddie I can think of is the guy from Rod, Jane and Freddie.

EugenesAxe · 13/09/2012 14:18

No. I met someone recently with a child that had a traditionally short version of a name; I asked if he was a so and so (I forget the name) and was told 'No, he's just blah'. And I said 'Oh cool!' or something equally vacuous, but inside I was thinking 'Well that's a bit wank.'

I'll put my barbs away now...

Finbert · 13/09/2012 14:18

Worked for Freddie Mercury! If you like it better go with it Smile

EugenesAxe · 13/09/2012 14:19

You see? MadBus is a genius. Alfred Richard sounds great, and obviously very kingly. He also gets the choice of Alf when he's an OAP.

BardOfBarking · 13/09/2012 14:20

Lisaro I don't really see your point but would; Fred Perry, Teddy Sherringham, Tom Jones, Tony Blair have been more successful in their chosen fields as Frederick, Edward, Thomas and Anthony?

squoosh · 13/09/2012 14:20

I forgot about Freddie Mercury!

(I didn't forget about Freddie Starr but thought it best not to mention him).

MNhoneydragonHQ · 13/09/2012 14:21

My dd has a nick name as her full name. I shall break it to her gently that her career options are limited Wink

BardOfBarking · 13/09/2012 14:21

Oi, bit wank indeed!!! Be careful with that Axe Eugene Grin

Wordsmith · 13/09/2012 14:22

Tony Blair's first name is Anthony.

MadBusLady · 13/09/2012 14:23

Bard No, of course not, they made their choices. I just think it's nice to have the option of using the longer one if you want it.

Badvoc · 13/09/2012 14:24

My nephew is a Freddie.
He is ace.

lisaro · 13/09/2012 14:25

bard saddling a child with a 'name' like cupcake would be looked down on here, to the extent that only the very rich and eccentric or the very poor with no aspirations would use it. The naming customs in America are very different than here. Also, I do believe those people you mentioned have real names and those are their nicknames. Have to say though, damn shame it didn't hinder Tony Blair bGrin

JollyJellyBear · 13/09/2012 14:26

Freddie Mercury was Farrokh!

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