Seb rather than Sebastian

[Wiggles85]

We have a complex surname that people have difficulty spelling and pronouncing so we need a short and sweet boys name, preferably one syllable. What do you think of Seb as a shortened version of Sebastian? I'm thinking along the line of Sam rather than Samuel, Nate rather than Nathaniel etc. Open to suggestions

People will just assume he's a Sebastian anyway. If I was going for a one syllable name I'd pick one that was an obvious standalone name like John, Jude, Finn.

Agree that people will think it's short for Sebastian. I've never seen it used as a standalone name. What about Seth instead?

Sean
Rick
Brian
James
Keith
Neil

... Lots of one-syllabled names out there (and Brian!). I'd assume Seb=Sebastian. I prefer the full version.

We also have Luke, Nate and Jack on the short list. Sebastian isn't an option unfortunately as our surname has 4 syllables. I feel like we owe the kid a simple first name if we're saddling him with that surname!

How about Bram ?

I love Bram! My husband says it reminds him of Bradley apple pie though

Bram is fabulous! Bram Stoker- what's not to love?

😂 Warm apple pie !
How about Seth ?
Bram is mega cool though.

I know two Seb's, both are Sebastian on their birth certificates, but have always been known as Seb

Call him Seb if you want.

I know a Sam who is just that, one who is a Samson and the usual Samuels.

I also know loads of Jacks who aren't Johns, Jakes who aren't Jacobs and a Joe who isn't a Joseph.

None of it is a problem at all. Sometimes people assume the child has a longer name but a "no, he's just Seb" sorts that.

That's what I was thinking Movingon. My sis uses a shortened version of her name and says she wishes it was on her birth certificate as she hates having an 'official' name she never uses and a nickname. My husband is Ben and is always asked if its short for Benjamin. It doesn't bother him though

Seb sounds so weak and oily (sebaceous) to me. I don't like it.

Luke or Jake or other proper name is much better

Luke or Nate are nicer I think.

Or what about Seth?

Ted

Seb is a well known brand of kitchen equipment.

I think the problem with Seb is he'll be spelling it out to people, along with the surname. Our surname is one we need to spell (variation of spellings) so we chose a simple, easy to spell name for DD. I prefer Seth to Seb. Of your other choices, I really like Luke.

You think he'd have to spell Seb to people? maybe if they're 3yo!

I do..not in like a 'How do you spell Seb?' Way but more like 'It's what? Seth? Sed? Jed?' mishearing, misunderstanding. If the surname is tricky, keep the first name simple and well known IMO!

Seb. Ssebb. Çeb. S'eb. Sehb. Kseb

Yeah, total nightmare.

😂😂😂

Hmm I'd assume it was Sebastian too. Depends how you feel about him having to spend years saying "No, really, it's just Seb". He might find it annoying or he might not be bothered... bit of a gamble though.

Bryn
Tate
Max
Leo
Rex
Guy
Fred
James

I also have a dh with a proper name that is always known by a diminutive. I've never known anyone call him by the full version except the registrar when we got married and that made us all giggle a lot. He's not Charlie short for Charles but similar. That's partly why we didn't saddle our child with the long and unused form of a name.

Our ds is a Seb* not a Sebastian and on the three occasions where people have presumed otherwise he's been mildly bemused. It's a total non issue and not the least bit a gamble. People have all sorts of names and people just learn to manage. Unless they are rude or thick twats - in which case who cares what a rude/thick twats think?

*Not Seb but similar short form of a "proper" name.

Erm, Fred is another example of a common shortening of a "proper" name. As are some of the other suggestions on this thread

I'm not sure Tate is even a "proper" first name at all

I like Seb by itself. As an alternative, my friend has a Zeb and I love that!