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Original poster

Nicknames for Harrison?

38 replies

fishesfordishes · 04/01/2015 22:43

We like this name and have sentimental reasons for being set on it.

however a relative lost a child who was named Harry. We don't want to steal this name in case it is wanted by others in the future who were closer relatives to him. (this isn't our sentimental reason for wanting to use the name Harrison, we actually didn't realise, duh! until wondering what we might nickname 'Harrison' after having our hearts set on it and referring to the baby as Harrison.)

Any ideas what we could use as a nickname? DH just informed me that Harris is a euphamism...??? I thought we could have gone with that.

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Deerhound · 04/01/2015 22:51

I have never heard the euphemism "Harris" Hmm

Could also use Sonny

MiniTheMinx · 04/01/2015 22:54

Harry

MiniTheMinx · 04/01/2015 22:55

Oh sorry, not Harry, erm don't know then

itsnotjustastick · 04/01/2015 22:55

H

but in reality you can chose a nickname and have it used if thats what you decide to call him.

for example...theodore and teddy.

dont naturally roll off your tongue but are accptable nicknames

Original poster
fishesfordishes · 04/01/2015 22:56

Yes apparently DH doesn't like sonny Confused

Are there DC's out there that anyone knows called Harris? it just seems like the more obvious choice without family feeling we've stolen a name

or is it even possible to name your kid one thing and use a completely different name as a nickname? say "sammy" for example? when his name is Harrison, or will that just never ever stick with anyone?

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Original poster
fishesfordishes · 04/01/2015 22:57

kinda cross posted with you there over using a totally different nickname, sorry itsnotjustastick

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fishfingerSarnies · 04/01/2015 23:01

Hal?

WorldWildWifeFund · 04/01/2015 23:02

Harley

Original poster
fishesfordishes · 04/01/2015 23:05

oh I can see it, we are just the worlds most awkward couple.

I feel like Hal is an old mans name. And we have a Harley next door so that feels awkward.

Maybe we will have to call him something else after all and use Harrison as the nickname for that? though there's nothing bloody longer than Harrison is there?

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TongueBiter · 04/01/2015 23:05

"Aitch"
Haribo -> Beau

Original poster
fishesfordishes · 04/01/2015 23:08

Haribo was previously used for my relative so that's off limits too really.

H as in aitch (didn't realise that upthread sorry to the pp) is kinda cute.. will see if DH manages not to veto it right away...

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Deerhound · 04/01/2015 23:17

Harris seems totally fine to me. I think it's quite popular in Scotland.

Original poster
fishesfordishes · 04/01/2015 23:19

would henry be totally odd as a nickname for harrison?

or would it be even odder that I already know (though not well, only as a fb acquaintance from my schooldays who I guess I could delete without either of being too bothered) who has a Henry as a younger brother to his older child which shares the same slightly unusual (though increasingly more common) name as our bigger son?

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mummyinlove · 04/01/2015 23:21

Why do you need a nickname, why not just call him Harrison?
It's a fab name, we have a Harrison and I thought I would shorten it to Harris but instead call him Harrison Barrison (no idea why). His brother calls his Haz and dp calls him Aitch.

Original poster
fishesfordishes · 04/01/2015 23:22

oh dear. I cant see it pleasing my rather "proud to be welsh" grandmother if it's a popular scottish name.

Mind you, she did eventually recover from pfb's name

Was my DH just imagining it as a euphamism? He's rather "cockney" and I still haven't got a clue after 5 years of marriage about the various sayings he will come out with

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Original poster
fishesfordishes · 04/01/2015 23:24

ooh I like Haz too. in my position would you have felt the need to tell relatives that he was "Harrison" not Harry at the start when you used it or did people just not assume Harry was the nickname anyhow?

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mummyinlove · 04/01/2015 23:36

It's a while ago now but I don't think anyone assumed he'd be a Harry. A few people did ask but because I didn't call him Harry no one did.

steppeupunderthemisletoe · 04/01/2015 23:40

I know a couple of Harrisons and they are called Harrison, no nickname. Can't you just call him Harrison?

payuktaxrichardbranson · 04/01/2015 23:42

your dh is probably thinking that Harris sounds a bit like arris which was another (polite) way to say arse.

marshmallowpies · 04/01/2015 23:43

I think the euphemism is a bit cockney/geezer talk - if you say 'Arris without the H it sounds a bit like 'arse'. I've heard Russell Brand use it! (Sorry!)

I think Harrison is a great name though - Hal would be my choice of nn though, as Hal to me is Prince Hal from Henry IV (Shakespeare) who is a loveable scoundrel till he grows up to be heroic Henry V! To me he's a bit of a romantic tearaway figure.

OutragedFromLeeds · 04/01/2015 23:50

Harris/Arris is definitely a euphemism for arse in East London. Probably fine elsewhere.

I don't really understand why you need a nickname though. You like the name Harrison so why not just call him Harrison? It seems the obvious choice as that's the name you both like....Confused

No doubt he'll develop a nickname that suits him over time, which may or may not have anything to do with his name.

Original poster
fishesfordishes · 04/01/2015 23:54

thanks, this is all very helpful.

yes its very true that he probably will develop a nn over time, I guess we just want to try not to offend from the outset if that's possible with family...

as it was a tragic death at a young age, I feel we would be cruel not to start out with something that was very different rather than leave relatives calling him Harry by assumption but feeling upset over it...

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Original poster
fishesfordishes · 04/01/2015 23:55

I also kind of want to see if there's a way to avoid a "he's not going to be called harry" talk... as don't want to offend that way either.

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badtime · 04/01/2015 23:57

Aris(totle)=> bottle (and glass)=> arse is the rhyming slang, so it's not Harris, it's aris.

badtime · 04/01/2015 23:58

Oh, and my first thought was Hal as well - it reminds me of Prince Hal as well.

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