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why do people want names that can't be shortened?

16 replies

notallytuts · 28/11/2012 13:40

im talking about people that deliberately choose names that can't be shortened, (rather than just choosing a non-shortenable the name because they like it)?

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evamummy · 28/11/2012 13:47

Because with a short one syllable surname a two syllable name sounds much nicer than a short nickname.

Snowflakepie · 28/11/2012 15:07

Why does anyone choose any name? Seems as good a reason to me as any other. My name can't be shortened nicely, so I don't. I didn't think my DDs could but guess what, people do. And my brothers name is commonly shortened but he hates the short version, so even at age 31 corrects people! Each to their own.

FerrisBueller1972 · 28/11/2012 15:10

You'd be referring to the likes of me then. It is really quite simple, I liked the name.

Then when my son started nursery they added a 'y' sound to the end of it. Pissed me off no end.

Yes, I corrected them everytime they called him it.

ladymia · 28/11/2012 15:33

Personally I am not a fan of nicknames and purposely trying to find a name that can't be shortened for that reason.

Everyone has their criteria i suppose.

babyblabber · 28/11/2012 17:57

Coz I want DCs to be called the name we chose and not a shortened variant.

Eg Love the name Patrick but hate pat or paddy so rules it out.

exoticfruits · 28/11/2012 18:01

Lots of nicknames are not very nice and you have no control at all! I loved Edward but it was right out because I don't like any of the shortened form. You can't actually win, DS2's can't be shortened so he gets something with the surname instead! He likes it.

HoratiaWinwood · 28/11/2012 18:07

DB and I were given names that "cannot be shortened" so that we would always be called by our actual names. This was mostly because DM has a full name she hates, and is always known by the shortened version.

Both of us were known by nicknames throughout secondary school nonetheless. Children (and adults for that matter) mess about with names as a kind of tribal thing.

rubydoobydoo · 28/11/2012 18:22

My mum did this with me, I always hated it as a child as I had no choice over what people calle dme!

Sabriel · 28/11/2012 19:35

My DB and I were also given names that can't be shortened (one syllable) and no middle names because she doesn't see the point in them. So all through my life people have lengthened it. It sounds like a shortening of a similar name, so that's what they call me instead. Drives me mad.

DB has found a 2 syllable nickname he uses instead.

My DC all have 2 or 3 syllable names and a middle name each.

OutragedFromLeeds · 28/11/2012 23:09

You can't avoid nicknames with any name.

I have a very short, can't be made any shorter name. I've had about 300 different nicknames, all longer than my actual name.

Ben, for example, becomes Benjamin, Benji, Ben Ben, Benny, Benson, Benster etc.

Or they make a nn based on surname. Or physical characteristic e.g. titch, big Ben, Ginge etc.

It's unavoidable.

exoticfruits · 29/11/2012 07:27

Absolutely unavoidable.

TwoFacedCows · 29/11/2012 07:45

my name can be shorten, and once people can say it properly ( it is not very unusual, but different spelling/ other name very similar) then tend to try and shorten it.

I would never introduce myself as the shortened version and the only people that will call me the short version are my parents and brother and sister. my DH will very rarely.

I hate people i dont know well shortening my name. they get some very frosty looks. i suppose because the only people to do so are very close family when someone else does it, it feels over familiar!

JemimaLovesJelly · 29/11/2012 10:13

I have a name that can't be shortened and AMAZINGLY I survived without all these choices! But each to their own!

TessOfTheBaublevilles · 29/11/2012 10:27

I was christened Tess, and my siblings have short form names too, and we've survived.

I often get called Tessie, so you can get nicknames from shortened names!

mewkins · 30/11/2012 22:42

Was this a generational thing? my mum and several of her friends had a mortal fear of shortened names! Hence I ended up with a one syllable name that was too short for our surname. I, on the other hand, chose a nice long name for dd which has about 12 different shortenings!hah!

mummybare · 30/11/2012 22:55

I don't get it either tbh. DD has a name with about a gazillion nns and if I have more DCs, they will too. I think it's nice to give DCs a chance to stamp their personality on a name and to give them a name that can grow with them.

This is probably due to deep psychological issues thanks to having a boring un-shortenable name. Grin

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