Love Thomas, hate Tom

[Pebbleinthesand]

Almost halfway through my pregnancy with baby number 2.

No idea what we're having and we don't intend to find out so it may be a pointless train of thought anyway but I love the name Thomas but hate the nickname Tom. I have no idea why, I know plenty of lovely Toms but I'd hate my Thomas to be known as Tom and since all the Thomas's I know are Toms it's likely to happen by the time he's a teen.

The other choice for a boys name is currently George, which is actually my husband's favourite and our daughter is Phoebe.

My husband is a Thomas. His entire family call him Thomas or a family nick name.

He might shorten it to Tom when he's older, or he might not if he's always been known as Thomas.

All I'd say is... people will call him Tom. Bitter experience here!

I'd avoid, in that case. Chances of avoiding Tom aren't good.

I'd choose George.

Thomas will end up as Tom, which is indeed a little dull and bland imo.

I know a Thomas who has always been a Thomas. Does of course depend on what he feels though! Nicknames are v personal.

There is a Thomas in my 7 year olds class, he doesn't get Tom...can't say it will be like that once they are high school age though.

I have a Thomas. He is Tom. Or Tom Tom. Can't say I'm bothered by it. Don't like Tommy though randomly..

Unfortunately, even if you call your child the most perfect name in the world, you have little say over the names they choose for themselves or the nicknames their friends pick for them.

Tom is my full name. Thomas is cute up to five but people will shorten after that.

Funnily enough Americans tend to assume i am Thomas is a work capacity.

I worked with two adult Thomases. Neither went by Tom, at work anyway!

Met plenty of Thomas' who never go by Tom, but ultimately it will be up to your DS to correct them, because people seem to automatically shorten certain names. If your son prefers Tom though, there's not much you can do about it.

I think the majority on here are definitely right. It may have to be George Thomas in order to avoid him being a Tom. At least George can't really be shortened 😂 and after all this I'll probably have another girl anyway and that's a whole other naming ball game 🤦‍♀️

I know a Thomas who is always Thomas at home, but has evolved into Tom at school.

His brother (who I won't name as the combination is a bit outing!) has an similar classic name that can be shortened but never has been, and he's absolutely adamant that he's 'long version' and not 'usual nickname'.

I'd steer clear if you really don't like Tom - not because he will definitely be called Tom, but because once he's older than double figures it won't be up to you.

Choose something you like all probable versions of.

I have to agree as every Thomas I know is known as Tom. Also not keen on. We really liked Thomas too so ended up using as a middle name instead

We liked James but didn’t use it as we don’t like Jim. I would say not to use it if you really don’t like the short form as the chances are he will be called by it. We chose a name where we did like both the long and the short form and our ds is called both equally.

My grandad was Thomas, never known as Tom by anyone!

There is a high likelihood of this, so if you feel as strongly as you do I’d steer clear as a first. George and Phoebe are lovely together.

@HenryHooverIII

I have a Thomas. He is Tom. Or Tom Tom. Can't say I'm bothered by it. Don't like Tommy though randomly..

Unfortunately, even if you call your child the most perfect name in the world, you have little say over the names they choose for themselves or the nicknames their friends pick for them.

I'm exactly the same! Have a Thomas... He is mostly Thomas, occasionally Tom or Tom Tom but cannot stand Tommy!!! Or even worse TJ (middle name is James)