Your thoughts please and would you think I was a hypocrite?

[MB34]

I've always said I don't understand why people name their children one thing, then call them something else for the rest of their lives (just something I never understood because of a friend when I was younger - went by her given name to everyone else but her parents always called her by a nickname!)

So, my DS is 5 days old and we still haven't settled on a name. Although we have been playing around with the only name DH and I can sort of agree on - Taliesin.

I like it but not sure I would be comfortable calling it across the playground and it's a bit long/complicated alongside his double barreled surname.

We both like Tal but I feel it's lacking something as a proper name. Although, we have been debating whether to tell people his name is Tal but put Taliesin on the birth certificate (and not tell people).
Now if you knew me in RL and therefore knew my opinion as I mentioned above, would you think I was being a hypocrite if you found this out?

Also, I'd appreciate your thoughts on the names we've been considering

Taliesin Wyn
Tal Wyn
Tal Nathan Wyn
Taliesin Nathan Wyn
(surname will be double barreled - 4 syllables altogether)

Thank you

I rarely think people are hypocritical, I usually assume some new circumstance has arisen to make them revise their views in a particular instance. Don't worry about it. All sorts of things happen to names. I lived with an Israeli (female) Tal in India, and it does have a lovely meaning; dew (or was it lake?). Good luck.

I like talesin. I think it's only natural to shorten a long name but you can never be 100 % on how you will end up doing it.
Good to have options.

Taliesin Wynn something-something flows well, as would tal Wynn something-something.

Tal Wyn sounds like a welsh town

Taliesin + a 4 syllable double barrelled surname does sound like a hell of a mouthful. Shouting it across the playground is the least of your problems - life in High School will be interesting for him.

I like Tal on its own. Tal Wyn is good.

Though both my dsons have the shortened versions of their namespace birth certs - but that was because we weren't keen on the lengthened ones iyswim. For example - Alex and joe rather than Alexander and Joseph (not actual names).

That is so not hypocritical :o

I'm not familiar with the name Taliesin, but I agree that Tal makes a good nickname but seems insubstantial as a given name.

You would only be a hypocrite if you continued to criticise people for naming, then nicknaming.

Taliesin NN Tal is fine by anyone's standards, I'd imagine.

IMO, Taliesin Wyn Doublesyllable-Surname is the better option of those you've listed. Nathan goes beautifully with the names you've suggested, but makes the name too long to my ears.

Congratulations on your baby boy

Youre not hypocritical as such - you've just realised you were wrong :)

As an aside, how do you pronounce Taliesin? I've always pronounced it in my head as it is written, using English phonics.

I thought you meant a different name as in call him Taliesin on the BC and refer to him as, erm, George or something. That would have been a bit hypocritical but what you suggest is a totally normal thing IMO.

And Taliesin Surname-Surname (4 syllables in total in the double barrel) is not too long at all.

Why would it be hypocritical? Loads of people have always been known by shortenings of their names- Prince Charles's sons, for example. And 3 of my nieces. And me, My father. my brother. Nick Robinson. The Leader of the Opposition. The list is endless!

It's a lovely name but he'd have to be a tough cookie to live round here.

I prefer Taliesin Wyn Something-Something and then call him Tal on a day to day basis if you don't want to use the full name.

I like it! :)

Soupy it is prn. Tal-yes-in with the 'tal' as in 'pal' not tall/ball.

OP, I'd go for Taliesin and just use the abbreviated version for everyday use.

You're not calling him something "different" you're shortening a long name for everyday use. If you previously objected to that then you were mistaken; put your hand up and admit to it. Taliesin is a beautiful name, and Tal will be a cool nickname.

Thanks Mejon :) I've only read it in books, never come across a real one.

My DS has a 3 syllable first name (and a 4 syllable double barrel last name) that is very unusual. At first I did feel conspicuous calling out to him in public, but now (he's 18mo) it's just become natural, it IS his name. We don't abbreviate it.

Oh sorry I realise I didn't actually address your questions, but what I was trying to say was that from personal experience 3 syllables isn't too long to use in full (and I think the name you're considering is beautiful!) and a slightly unusual name will feel natural very quickly. Also if it reassures you, I've only had 1 negative comment about DSs name and have heard about people who name their kids more popular names get just as much (or little) criticism.

Taliesin is a great name. I wouldn't tell people his name is Tal - the abbreviation will come naturally and people will follow your lead. Telling people it's Tal and then having Taliesin on his birth certificate will make it a thing, when it doesn't need to be.

We worried about our DS's fairly un-shortenable three-syllable Welsh name starting with the same letter as DH's surname, but he's five now and we've only ever had to say the whole thing out loud about half a dozen times, usually when arriving at the dentist's or somewhere where it doesn't actually matter in the slightest. We rejected my absolute favourite boy's name because of this but have subsequently realised that it would not have mattered one jot (and will now be using it for #2 if it's a boy).