Concerns with Charles

[TimTheTalkingClock]

Hello, DS2 is due to pop out in a few weeks, and we’ve had Charles picked out for quite a while now - however have one concern with it. Our DS1 has always been James, never Jamie/Jim/Jimmy, so it possible for him not to become Charlie? I find it odd that Charles getting shortened to Charlie, seen as how it’s harder to say anyway. I don’t mind if he calls himself Charlie in future - but whilst young, is it possible for him to stay as a Charles like our other boy, seen as how it’s a really easy to say name anyway. Cheers

I have a brother who is a James, he has always been James, I think unless you introduce a nickname then people will just call him his name.

Charles doesn’t flow nicely off the tongue, but it’s a lovely classic name and has the option of a nice shorter version/nickname..

I know a 17 year old Charles. Everyone calls him Charles!

James and Charles are lovely names.

I have worked with at least 5 men called Charles. All were Charles never ever Charlie.

My name is typically shortened, but I pretty much am always called by the long version, as I prefer it and it just seems more like 'my' name. Only my Nana and brother ever shorten it, and there was also one work place where a few people seemed to find it hard.
I don't think you'll have a problem.

I know a couple of Charles. Never Charlie.
It's a bit easier these days too as preschool/nursery/schools ask on forms what your child is to be "known as", so it's already clear to teachers who wants to be known as Charlie/Ollie or whatever and who is to be known as Charles/Oliver etc

@PuppyPowerPowder, my late mother (from the west of Ireland) always pronounced it Char-less!

What about Chuck?

Charles is nice and people will call him Charles. Later on, if he agrees, he might be Chas or Charlie. So what? It's a good, classic name. Diminutives (even if they are longer), are friendly.