Natasha - does it need abbreviating?

[LewishamMum]

So my 9 week old is called Natasha, my fav name since I've been 10.

My Dad says it's too long and needs an abbreviation - Tash, Tasha, Sasha, Natty......whatever. Both my parents like the name Natasha, but insist it's too long and if I don't give her an abbreviation she will end up being called Nat which they (and I) all hate.

I like Tasha and especially Sasha, but I want her to be called Natasha, which I think is nicer than either. I've known 2 people called Natasha and they were called a mixture of Natasha and Tash/Tasha, but never Nat....

Is Natasha too long? Will it inevitably be abbreviated? If so I'd rather jump the gun and get in with my favourite shortened version (Sasha).

Views wanted?

I know 3 Natashas. One is Nat, one is Tasha or Tash and the third is always Natasha - I have never heard anyone shorten it. (Well, not more than once anyway!)
It isn't inevitable it will be shortened so call her what you like for now. But do bear in mind that she may choose a nickname or shortened version of her name for herself. I always intended to use my DD's full name and if people shortened it I would correct them. Until she was 10 or 11 that is, when her school friends started using a shortened version and she decided that was what she wanted to be called, so I respected her wishes. Now she's an adult and she's reverted to her full name, so I have to retrain myself again.😂

I work with a Natasha who is a Natasha, never a Nat.

Natasha is Russian...
It is pronounced Na (Nar) Ta (Tar) Sha (Shar). It is so often mispronounced.
My name means "born on Christmas day" or "birthday of the Lord."
For short I get called Tarsh.

It's a long name and will get shortened. I think Sasha/Sash is nicer than Nat/Tash/Tasha

It's only a 3 syllable name, no need for a nickname at all

@ourflagmeansdeath , 3 syllables is long, and names tend to be shortened, whether you intend it or not. It might not need a 'nickname' but if you don't like the shortened version, you end up being that person who says 'I'm Stephen/Susan not Steve/Sue' or whatever, and you'll still get people using the short version.

I mean I suppose it does depend but I know plenty of people with long names who have never been shortened - Alexandria, Ana Maria etc. I just personally think Natasha works fine. Sasha is a lovely nickname anyway if it does happen to be shortened. 😊

@ourflagmeansdeath , I don't necessarily mean shortened formally, but when you call someone to get their attention or in speech. I use people's names a lot in speech, like i'd say 'Oh hello Janet, how are you? or something. Alexandria and Ana Maria are awfully long.

I had a relative with a 5 syllable name and she insisted on the full name, but a lot of people shortened it.
For example, something like Alexandrina:
Aunty Drina
Lexdria
Alex
Lexa
Lex

You like Natasha best so just call her Natasha. Grandparents, schoolfriends etc. will settle on their own shortenings.

I like the name Sasha a lot but think it's a bit of a reach in this case when Tash and Tasha are the obvious shortenings.

True I do think those names are long but they both have gone a lot of years without anyone trying to shorten it! And people do reference them and say their name quite a bit, it's just never seemed odd to me. Depends on the person I suppose. Natasha is nice, nickname or not though.

Natasha is pretty and doesn't need a nick name.

I think the cutest is Nasha or Nashi! (Nashi pear)

I don't think a 3 syllable name is over long, it's perfectly normal. Many four syllable names are in common use, eg Elizabeth, Isabella.

I would just use Natasha and be relaxed about it if any short form develops naturally.