Am I alone in hating this trend?

[Jossina]

Am I the only person who doesn't like the trend of giving children a nickname as their proper name? For instance Tom instead of Thomas or Billy instead of William, Kate instead of Katharine. Aren't these children going to spend the rest of their lives saying, over and over and over, "No, it's just ___. Not short for anything." ?

I think Tom and Kate are fine, but Frankie, Billy, Charlie, Freddie, is just annoying.

If people can shorten long names then surely people with short form of names can choose to use the long one?

There's nothing to stop a Kate choosing to be known as Catherine. Or Caitlin. Or Catriona. She has "options" too.

I don't think it's anything to hate, and has been happening for so long it can scarcely be called a trend. Each to their own, live and let live, etc.

My DS is Billy, not William. We didn’t like the name William, and wouldn’t be calling him that so we didn’t see the point of putting it on his BC. Nobody asks us if it’s short for William

As someone who only ever uses the shortened version of my long name, I’m very much in favour of just using the short version if that’s the name you like and are going to use regularly.

Also a pet hate of mine...

Lucy isn't short for Lucinda, although it could be.

There's nothing to stop a Kate choosing to be known as Catherine. Or Caitlin. Or Catriona

Really ?

I've never walked up to someone and upon hearing their name is say Late, bothered to ascertain if there's a longer version which they're cleay choosing to not use. Similarly I don't ask for middle names.

My ancestors from 200+ years back have been Tom, Bill, Gwen, Flo, etc. It's a tradition, not a trend.

People have literally been doing this for centuries. I have a nick name (that’s what it’s called). I don’t correct people when they use my full name. It’s not an issue.

I have a Kate, just Kate. Why would I call her Katherine when I’d never call her it and I don’t like it?

See, my Dad did that. (Different name, but same idea). He loved the name "Jo" for a girl, wanted to call his daughter Jo but that was "a nickname" so called DSis Joanna.

Joanna hates the nickname Jo, has never ever used it and tends to go by Anna or Joanna instead.

Choose the actual name you like.

I’m a Vikki because my parents didn’t like Victoria, but also didn’t want Vicky because they thought people would assume I was a Victoria.
People assume I’m a Victoria anyway.

You're not alone! I've been griping about this for years! Also, surnames as first names annoy me but that's a separate thread.

I never realised people saw names like Kate or Alfie as nicknames til I joined mn. Why give your child a name you're not going to use

Because a) the full version may be more appropriate for their eventual career if it’s a formal setting and b) it gives them the choice of long or short and which diminutive they prefer.

I think Kate is well established as a stand alone name, as is Tom. It’s all the ghastly names that end in ie that aren’t so much.

It’s not a trend, it’s just people being thick.

Thick?

My ds is called Drew, not Andrew which I didn't like as it could be shortened to Andy.
I think if you give a shortened version and have the longer name on the birth certificate, you have just the same hassle having to explain your official name?

Because a) the full version may be more appropriate for their eventual career if it’s a formal setting

Which career won’t accept a Tom or Will or Kate? Honestly where do people come up with this stuff.

I often prefer the diminutive to the full formal name so no I have no problem with it. Just so long as they don't sound like a bunch of hoorays off for a croquet match...

KateyKube

"It’s not a trend, it’s just people being thick".

Wow. I suppose everyone should check their names exist in your Approved Names register.

Are we allowed variations in spelling? For example. How are we allowed to spell Isabelle? Isobel? Isabel?

Exactly @edgeofheaven. I know an Abbie, not short for anything, still remarkably and valiantly overcame this to become a lawyer

It doesn't bother me.

I remember getting so angry with an adult once who asked my friend what their name was, she replied "nickname name" and the adult said (quite indignately!) that "nickname name isn't a proper name, it's a nickname, what's your real name" Rude!