Using full names

[Puppypal20]

I regularly see on threads where posters tell the OP to use the full name on the bc as “it gives the child options when they are older”.

Am genuinely interested why people think this. A lot of the top baby names in recent years are all nicknames of longer names (Freddie, Charlie, Teddy, Tommy etc). Also if you wanted to give your child options surely it would be better to give them a few middle names so they could choose a name when they are older.

I just find it a bit strange to put a name down on the bc that the parents have no intention of using.

This always divides opinion on here. Those who have gone for full formal names will always defend this decision and vice versa. Ultimately it doesn't matter as either is fine.

Giving them a longer more formal name may mean there are more options for nick names which the kid may like. On the other hand, using shorter versions has very much become the norm and it's absolute nonsense that shorter versions will hold them back professionally. Can you imagine the conversation..,this person is highly capable, has excellent qualifications and experience but we can't hire her because her name is Katie, but if it was Katherine we'd offer her immediately!

But when people say that it gives a child options, really a child has no opinion or input into their name, the only people that do are the parents, you only own the name once you have been given it.

Are you deliberately being stupid here? The whole point about options is that some names allow a child easily to choose what they want to be known as, whether their full name or one of a range of shorter forms. Because not all parents think that they are the ones who should dictate what another person is known as for their whole life. FFS.

@bridgetreilly there’s no need to be rude, we are all entitled to our say, that’s what this forum is for. Parents do “dictate” what their child is called, that’s the whole point of choosing a name, there are many names that cannot be shortened.

My BC name is the full version, my family called me a shorter version, and as an adult my friends have evolved this down to an even shorter version that I prefer and generally introduce myself as now (informally at least).

There are 2 different initials across these 3 names. Think along the lines of Catherine / Katie / Kit.

At work my email, signature and card have the full name, but I sign off and answer the phone as the 'family' version. It's obvious that one is a diminutive of the other. The friends version is considered a bit too informal for work.

I happily go by any of the 3 on a day to day basis, doesn't bother me, can't get worked up about it. In fact it's actually quite nice to have the choice.

My name is a “nickname” except that it never occurred to me that it was until I came on MN. I can safely say that there has never been a nano second in my life where I have wished I had options for my name. My mum always said she knew she would never call me the long version so didn’t see the point of putting it on the BC. I agree wholeheartedly.

I should also add that I know that all the Max, Sam, Zak, Katie, Libby, Alfie and Jamie’s I know are just that.

For reasons now lost in the mists of time, I'm known by both my first and middle names, I switch between the two depending on who I'm with. It's never been a problem.

The usung your middle name as a first name is a pain. Ice had airline tickets booked in the wrong name at work, BDS checks put through with names in the wrong order etc. Its generally easier to go with something that looks linked to the first name on your birth certificate, I would have thought.

FWIW, DH's name is "too short" and (not in the UK) has been rejected as an invalid entry on electronic forms as it contains insufficient characters - think Jim Lee as the total of his name.

It's personal preference.

I'd much rather be called Louise, Emily or Edward than just Lou, Em or Ed.

I prefer the elegance of most longer names.

But others may have different tastes?

I just think Alfred and Edward sounds much nicer and more classy than Alfie or Teddie.

I would prefer to give my child the option to use a longer name.

Often, the long version doesn't date as much as the nick names do.

Also, often, people will assume they know that your full name is Christopher or Elizabeth anyway

Nick names of those names are probably quite solid anyway, but often, the nick names that people plan to use are a bit insubstancial as names. And susceptible to dating.

All things being equal, just hand the decision and the power to select a long/short/contemporary version of the name over to your child rather than just deciding ''no, she will go through life called Kitty''.

Actually, Kitty is a good example. If you put Kitty rather than Katherine on the birth cert, that's really blinkered. Do you really think Kitty won't go out of fashion.

It seems to really annoy some posters on here though, putting the longer name on the birth cert. No idea why.

We have a very short, common word last name. I wanted to give my dc a longer first name to give their name a bit more interest, although I’m personally drawn to short sharp names.

So for eg instead of Kate Fry I named her Katherine Fry to give her a few more letters in her name, the option of being Katherine, Kitty, Katie or just plain Kate Fry. If we had a longer more complicated surname I might have gone for the plainer first name. Names are important.

@ThroughThickAndThin01, that's how I look at it too.
Something a bit out there with a run-of-the-mill surname (e.g. January Jones) or a neutral first name with an unusual surname (e.g. Jane Cornelius).

I looked up silly surnames and the surname of a friend was on there. I just think it's a cool name.

Most of the threads ask about first and middle names. It's the first name and last name that matters.

I've never understood parents who call their child say Edward Paul Jones with the intention of calling him Paul. I've heard ridiculous reasons for doing this. Call your child the name you put first on the birth certificate.

I'm struggling with this atm actually. I love the name Gus but feel like he should have a longer name on BC but I really don't like Augustus or August! Middle names were Francis Joseph but feel like that's too much for Gus so now have to drop the Joseph even tho I really wanted both 😭

Augustine, Gustav, Angus, Gaius...

One of my children has always been known by their middle name. I couldn't care less if people find that odd or strange.

The names just sounded better that way round without vowels next to each other, and I wanted those two names.

School and doctors have never had a problem with it. On a form, I underline the middle name so it's obvious that's what they are known as (if no "known as" box).

@MikeUniformMike didn't even think of Angus and I actually love it! Thanks!

Parents do “dictate” what their child is called

Not entirely - yes, parent(s) decide what's on the birth certificate, but even when small, other people apply different nicknames and once a child reaches a certain capacity, they can start using any name - or multiple names - without a parent's input. There are plenty who have a name that only their parents/family call them.

Having gone through the process of a full name change, names with more flexibility appealed to me when naming my kids, but I am not in any way thinking that I have final say over what my child is called. Having intention of using a name at days old doesn't mean that's what happens in the long run.

Whether a middle name would automatically give more options than a longer first name depends on the names: Alexandra or Alexander have far more options on their own than Alex Wren. Mine all have two middle names, closest to using them is one using initials to make his online gaming name.

Whether a name is traditionally shortened/altered doesn't mean it cannot happen - I know a kid named Owen who often goes by O or what sounds like Oh-wee (I think the latter is younger sibling inspired) and an adult named Dee who regularly puts herself down as D and has several D-related nicknames.

I also grew up with someone named Alice who goes by Alison not all diminutives are shorter and when in trouble, adults would just start adding names so expanding names isn't entirely unheard of, it's just less common and in spaces, harder to have recognized. A Liam is going to have a harder time explaining why he wants to be called William than the other way around.

I have a friend who is Vicky and that's what's on her BC. She hates it because people assume her name is Victoria and it's not. She says she wishes she was Victoria because it would be easier. My name is Rebecca and while I use a shortened version I like having a longer name too

@ifiwasascent Gus doesn’t need a longer version, it’s a perfectly good standalone name. If you want him to be called Gus, just call him Gus. My Gus loves his name . I think your middle names are fine with it too - they are never used except on forms anyway. Mine has a four syllable middle name which is a family name. It works well.

@ifiwasascent

Fergus

I know a Beth and a Bella who both wish they had the longer version of their name on their birth certificate and don’t. Beth actually started calling herself Elizabeth for a while.

I also know a Jennifer and another Eizabeth who are known as Jen and Liz but use their long names professionally.

Basically, I agree with giving options, as anecdotally they seem to be appreciated.

I agree with you, Rachetine. I've never come across a 'Beth' though, it's always been short for Elizabeth or, in more recent years, Bethany. It seems odd to call someone just 'Beth'.

My real name is a short, one syllable name, like 'Ann' or 'Jane' but not so nice (though I've 'grown into it' now). I always wanted a longer name that could be shortened. I gave my son a fairly ordinary name of two syllables; his friends call him the shortened version which is the first syllable and sounds very friendly but he uses his full name professionally.

I can't bear all the 'Charlie' and 'Katie' names, they don't sound right and cannot look right on a birth certificate or when filling in forms, though they are great as nicknames.

VenusClapTrap Sun 25-Oct-20 17:42:28
Gus doesn’t need a longer version, it’s a perfectly good standalone name.
..........

I've only known one Gus (must be in his late thirties now), but always assumed his name was 'Augustus'. I don't think it is particularly good as a 'standalone' name, it sounds like a nickname.