Difficult Nickname?

[EileenJohnston]

Hi! My son, Jackie (short for Jerald) has just turned 16, and while he likes his nickname for the most part, he occasionally laments about how people who don't know him behave strangely towards him regarding his "girly name". I tell him that there's scores of male Jackies, and that used to work, until a coworker of his at his weekend job went up to him and told him that "Jackie is a GIRL'S name!" That put him in a mood for weeks. I tell him that technically his name is Jerald and he could go by that any time he wishes but he continuously backtracks, stating that "Jackie is what he's used to". Just tired of him complaining about his nickname and then not using his real name instead if it bothers him so greatly! Any thoughts? Thanks!

I am struggling to see how you get Jackie from Jerald?

And if he doesn't like it why doesn't he introduce himself as

Jack?

We have an Uncle Jackie and he is 90.

ImHe can’t have it both ways.

Either he chooses to be Jerald, Jerry, Jack or whatever

Or

He learns to brazen through.

I’m a bit surprised that he didn’t naturally become Jack as he got older.

I would assume a Jackie was female, but i wouldn't think it was weird that they were a male called Jackie.

Jackie Chan is actually the first person I think of when I hear the name anyway. I bet your sons colleague wouldn't tell him it's a girls name!

How is Jackie short for Jerald? Why not Jerry? Can he shorten Jackie to Jack?
I've only ever known Jackies who were female, sorry

I have never heard of a male Jackie (other than Chan) and I don't understand how you got Jackie from Jerald

How’d you get Jackie from Jerald?

Just say what you said here- if you don’t like it, change it and if you do like it then ignore any comments!

I dont understand what he wants you to do about it!

Jackie Charlton
Jackie Chan

I don’t think I have any actual any women called Jackie/Jaqui Unser about 45.

I don't know why everyone is questioning why his nickname is Jackie! 😆 People get nicknames for all sorts of reasons (My cousin Andrew is known as Mack!!), but its not the point!!

OP I guess you have to just calmly keep repeating to him that it's his name and his choice. He can change his nickname if he wants to, or tell him that he could use a different nickname for work situations. He doesnt have to stop being Jackie at home or with his mates if he chooses to be Jack or Jerald at work.

He also needs a bank of responses to give when people tell him it's a girls name. Like, "At least i don't have a girls face!" Actually.... maybe not! He'll start a fight! Ha ha! But you get my point!

Tell him he can call himself Bonzo if he wants.