do names need to be full versions

[rhia22]

me and my partner are arguing because we love the names freddie charlie and jamie for our boy but I think he should have the long versions on his birth certificate (even though i don't necessarily like frederick charles and james) and my boyfriend doesn't... what are people's take on this?

I prefer the full name on the BC.

I think so. Just seems to shortsighted to not give them other options when they are older. I know it's not rational but Charlie, Harry, Jack etc on a birth certificate just looks lazy to me.

Oddly I don’t like it but my given name is a shorten version.

I think it's fine.
I have a friend called Katy who just has that on her birth certificate, it's never bothered her.
I also know a boy called Freddie and my name is Jamie, not short for anything.

I think there needs to be a full name on the birth certificate. In a certain sense, why wouldn’t you, as not only does it give the full name as an option there is usually more than one nickname or shortening for longer forms, which give you options. Eg Robert, Robbie, Rob, Bert, Bertie.

I have a shortened name on the birth certificate and am so happy it's not the longer version. People used to tease in primary school, "Is your real name -long version- " so it really depends on the name I guess.

That said I think your long onrs are nice.

Think it depends on the name, some imo are fine:

Charlie
Billy
Harry

And others I hate:
Tim
Tom
Joe
Alex

I have a shortened version on my birth certificate and I absolute detest it! I'll be changing it to the long version at some point. I'd never do the same to mine. Long version all the way then they can choose for themselves!

No, I think if you’re planning on calling the boy Charlie, Freddie or Jamie then that’s their name.

I deliberately went for names that had a choice of shorter version, and put long versions on birth certificate so that my children would have a choice later.

The OP might prefer Jamie, but calling her son James allows him to choose Jim, Jimmy or James if he wishes.

If you like it, go for a shortened version. I can't see any logic in having a different name on the paperwork.

I have a son with one of the names pp 'hates', above! It makes me chuckle. It seems incredibly old fashioned and inexplicable to 'need' a full name when it's completely different to the name they will use. Weird.

Long name on birth certificate

No need for long names on BC, it’s something on MN which I haven’t seen IRL. I know lots of Jack, Libby, Katie, Charlie, Zack, Harry, Teddy etc none of whom have a longer name. My name is a shortened version of a name. Never occurred to me that it should be something longer, my name is my name

My name has a few different shortenings, most of which I’ve used at some point except for one which feels cutesy enough that I wouldn’t touch it with a bargepole. Nowadays I use the whole thing.

I’ve always appreciated my parents giving me a name I could play with.

Who ever, ever looks at a birth certificate anyway? It's a complete non-issue really; just put on the name you like, no need for a completely different longer name.

I’d go with the name that you prefer.

DH’s parents put the long name on his birth certificate, even though they didn’t like it and preferred the nickname version. As soon as he could express himself, he told them he didn’t like the nickname version and would be long name - 30+ years and they still hate calling him it

I personally prefer long versions as I think it gives the person options.
Plus some names work In certain careers but not in others so I think it sets them up for any opportunity. I know that sounds completely snobbish.
I came across someone with a name that I felt really limited their options on the kids ward at the hospital once.
It worked I think because of them working with kids but had they gone on to be a lawyer for example it would have been hard to take them seriously.

Put the name you are going to call them.

I know a Tony, Vicki and a Mandy. Neither have been hindered by not having the full versions. Tony and Mandy get mail addressed to Mr A Surname and Miss A Surname occasionally.

I know a Katharine who is always known as Kate. Is seems a bit pointless to have the full version. She's definitely not a Kathy.

DH was insistent on the long form going on the birth certificate. I've grown to like it and it's good when he needs telling off!!

I know do many people that were called Jaime, charlie, Janie, Nicky and so on as children but refer to themselves by their full names as adults.
My nephews and nieces have all done this as well. Chris, Andy, Billy and Joey are now Christopher, Andrew, William, and Josef. It took getting some used to calling them the full version but having a more formal name gives options.

If you don't like the full versions then I would put the name you want him to be called on the BC. I wonder why Megan and Harry went for Archie over Archibald?

With regard to what people are saying about careers. Your child's ability, education, interests and ambition will decide if they become something like lawyer not their name. I actually think this opinion about needing a 'proper' full name is a bit silly and quite prejudiced.

I prefer the full version generally. I think it’s overly controlling of a parent and demeaning to the new human being to give them a cutesy short version. There are some exceptions- where the short form is established as a name in its own right - though that is a moot point.

It’s up to you. But I would totally judge someone whose full name was Jamie instead of James. It speaks volumes about their background.

No I don’t think so

What’s the point in naming a child Catherine for example if you’re only going to call them Katie?

We have a Jamie in our family, it’s his full name but we’re Scottish. I know 3 others who have this as a full first name.
Judge away - we all have professional backgrounds, but the fact you judge says more about you than me.