Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Going back to a full name from a nickname

11 replies

ChubbyMcChub · 04/11/2013 19:41

NC'd for this as it outs me big time, plus it's embarrassingly stupid Grin

We called our now 7 month old son James as we always loved the name. But when he was born, I felt a bit silly calling a teeny squashy little newborn by such a "grown up" name and, while high on gas and air without thinking properly, introduced him to everyone as Jamie. So everyone knows him as Jamie now, although it says James on his birth certificate.

I have since realised that I actually really don't like the nickname Jamie (apologies to any Jamies). DH and I call him James and he responds to that but everyone else asks about Jamie, talks to him as Jamie, etc.

Tell me honestly - is he stuck being called Jamie for life now? Has anyone gone back to using a full name rather than a nickname? How would I explain it to other people?

I feel even more stupid now I've written it out.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
Layl77 · 04/11/2013 19:47

No I think it's fine, just start saying it mixed in with Jamie and it will catch on. Ds2 used to get shortened name in nursery now full name in preschool for some reason. Only problem was learning to write it when used to short one but there's time yet for that with yours!

millymae · 04/11/2013 19:59

No of-course he isn't - just tell everyone what you've said here and that as you and OH have been using his proper name for sometime you'd be grateful if they could forget the way you had originally introduced him to them. If I was one your friends/relatives I wouldn't be in the least offended if you mentioned it to me - I'd think you'd made the right choice!

Original poster
ChubbyMcChub · 04/11/2013 21:45

Aw thanks so much both of you, I feel loads better! It's good to hear it happened with your DS Layl - actually now you mention it he'll be going to nursery in a few months and they don't know him as anything apart from James, so hopefully it will just sort of take over. Thanks for the vote of confidence in the choice Millymae Grin I think I'll explain to family and good friends as I see them and hope for the best.

I am cheered up Thanks

OP posts:
DramaAlpaca · 04/11/2013 21:56

I may out myself here, but funnily enough we had a similar issue with the same name. From birth I usually called him Jamie & so did most of my family, but DH would call him James and so would his side of the family.

I decided after a while that I actually preferred James & that it suited him better, so I started using it all the time, but Jamie had kind of stuck for some people & they carried on using it.

That all changed as James grew up & made it quite clear to everyone that he definitely wasn't a Jamie! So be prepared for your DS to have his own thoughts on the matter later on Smile

PS He's 18 now & I still adore the name James!

Rhubarbgarden · 04/11/2013 22:19

It'll be fine. A friend of mine introduced her baby as Wills and that's what we've all been calling him for the past three years. Recently though, I've noticed that she has switched to calling him William. She hasn't mentioned it directly but I've simply followed her lead and started calling him that too.

TheCraicDealer · 04/11/2013 22:28

Your OP made me laugh- DP is called James and I've taken to calling him Jamie as a nickname and he hates it. His mum and dad call him Jamesy, could be a bridge towards getting back to James eventually. Which is a lovely name, btw!

StayAwayFromDeliriumDive · 04/11/2013 23:47

We have a James. Be strong now and say he is not a Jamie.

Although DS does still at the age of 8 go by the nickname of JimJams on occasion - I should probably stop using it!

GooFawkes · 04/11/2013 23:57

DD2 (just turned 3) is called Luisa, we have always called her Looby Loo. Recently she has responded "I weesa" (for that read I am Luisa). So now we have to try to remember, or get reminded by a 3yo!

Original poster
ChubbyMcChub · 05/11/2013 20:07

Thanks a lot for replies everyone, I really appreciate it! Drama great minds eh Grin I do love James as a name, really glad we went for it. It's reassuring that there is a way back to the full version...

Rhubarb thanks, that's a good point about people probably taking their lead from what we say (or asking about it if they notice) - might not be as hard as I thought.

Stay and Craic we do JimJams and Jamesy too! And JimBob and JamBob and Jammy Dodger and a whole host of other warped variations on the theme Blush

Goo aww I am melting at "I weesa"!

Thanks again all Smile

OP posts:
NewtRipley · 05/11/2013 20:21

It's so early - it really shouldn't be a problem.

We call our Charlie, Charles a lot more than we used to. Probably over 50% of the time, but he's a lot older than your DS. Will be interesting to see what he goes by when he is older

SicknSpan · 05/11/2013 21:03

Goo - my name is similar to your daughters and I still get called Weeze or Weeza by lots of family and childhood friends, including dh. How lovely that she's called herself Weesa!

Chubby I agree with others. Just use James and other folks will do the same. It's a fab name btw.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page