Shortened names query

[AyeWhySwim]

Millionth name thread from me in the last few days...
Say you have a name you like and are happy enough to use as a stand alone name with its many versions eg Elizabeth (NOT actual name so no opinions needed!) Liz, Lizzie etc
BUT the shortening you intend to use day to day is one of the less obvious shortenings eg Libby/Betsy. The long name is definitely the one that’s going on the birth certificate.
How do you go about announcing/introducing the baby - ‘this is Elizabeth, we’re calling her Libby’ or just ‘this is Libby’?
Will people be confused initially writing cards etc until child is settled into family? Does it matter?
What experiences have people had with this kind of thing either naming children or their own names?
Thanks!

I remember reading a birth announcement in the local paper which read “x and x are delighted to welcome baby Josephine - to be known as Posy, a baby sister to x and x”

I suppose you could do it like that by text or phone or Facebook if that’s your thing. If you do post pics, make sure you use the abbreviation- people will soon get the gist

In person just introduce her as the diminutive. “This is Posy”.

Congrats

Great answer thank you! Very clear!

I am planning on announcing the full name on FB and from then on I'll probably post the odd picture with her nickname..

I don't think it matters too much when it comes to people writing cards and such. It depends if you're bothered that people have used Elizabeth or Libby (to use your example).

And I agree than when you are introducing in person you would just use the nickname. People may ask if it's short for something anyway!

Thanks - that seems ok. Yes, we’ve come up with one where we (finally) seem to be happy with all the possible versions and know from our other dc that we’re the kind of family to like having a hundred variations of names and nicknames for everyone!

My friends little girl is Libby (on bc) and she says that more than half of the time she introduces her she gets asked if it is short for Elizabeth.

Whatever you choose to call her remember that her friends may make a different decision and you will have no control over it. She’s more likely to become what her friends call her long term than what her parents call her.

So if you want to be sure her name is Betsy you need to call her that, otherwise she may end up Beth or Liz.

I have an Elizabeth who we call by a diminutive. We announced it as Elizabeth then just started calling her *** and it’s stuck.

I’ve always introduced DSs by their shortened versions, but then tell people they have the longer version on the birth certificate.
Introduce them by what you want them to be called, because people always call them what they were introduced as and it’s easier than correcting them.

Our daughter is called mimi. Not her full name but once me and dp started calling it her everyone else seemed to follow suit. We do occasionally call her by her full name. Usually when I'm trying to get to concentrate for more than two second to eat

Announce the name as the full name but that she will be known as then introduce her as the diminutive. You will get asked a lot anyway if it’s short for anything.
Dd’s name can be a diminutive using your example she would Beth she’s mid teens now and still gets Bethany or Elizabeth or asked if it’s short for one of those she calls herself Betty.

In a written announcement: Elizabeth (Libby).

In person: Elizabeth. But then call her Libby.

I’m going to text people after the birth (I don’t put anything social media) and just say something like welcome to the world (for example) Jonathan Thomas smith to be known as John.

I would probably write something like 'Welcome to the world, Libby! 8lbs 4 oz
14.05.18 Elizabeth Middle Name Smith