Pia / Pip / not a baby but want opinions!

[alwayslate48]

I'd like to change my first name while still keeping it functional and recognisable.

I am 'Pippa' on my birth certificate and 'Pip' to those who know and love me.

I'd like to continue to be known as Pip but not Pippa because of childhood abuse.

However, I feel weird introducing myself as Pip to new people because it is is a nickname and not substantial enough (IMO).

I was thinking of changing my first name to Pia and going by Pip? I met a baby Pia many years ago and thought it was a lovely name. It is 'Pippa' but without the ridiculous excess of two p's stuffed in the middle.

What do you guys think (please be gentle as this is a sensitive issue for me).

I think if that makes you happy that's what you should do.

I have two lovely friends called Pip. And my late first lovely doggie was also a pip. My friends are Philippa and Piper by birth certificate,

I like Pia and it actually sounds like more of a full/substantial name to me than Pippa seeing as it could be assumed to be short for Philippa.

Pia is lovely

I know several people called Pia, it’s a lovely name.
Piper would also work.

I do apologise, I was smiling at the Pip and got carried away, Pia is lovely.

I know a lovely Pia and agree with yefferson that it sounds more of a full name than Pippa, which I would assume to be a diminutive/nickname and not your proper name.

I like Pip in its own right.
I think it would cause you more hassle than it’s worth to use Pia as an “official” name if you’re still intending to use Pip as your day to day name.

I know an adult Pip through work and she is only ever know as Pip - I’ve never thought it’s not formal enough/not professional enough.

Pia is lovely.

Go for it OP!

I would keep Pip as offical name or a longer name. Pia is lovely but as its also only 3 letters I think might be a buy confusing to then have pip as a nickname.

Longer ideas - phillipa, philomena, penelope, phoebe, poppy.... ?

Actually scratch that. Pia is great.

Pia is really nice, go for it!

Pia is nice, but it’s nothing like Pip and wouldn’t be a shortening of the name as it’s not shorter. I think it would be quite confusing. Pip is a perfectly acceptable name in its own, I know two (man and woman). If you wanted a longer name then maybe Philippa or Piper as suggested above?

I like Pia, but if you aren't planning on using it then I'd just stick with Pip. I don't think Pip is too insubstantial to introduce yourself with and having to explain "Pia, but call me Pip" might get tiresome. Pip doesn't feel a natural shorting for Pia and I'd feel more conscious with that introduction than with just Pip. That's just me though. Ultimately it's your name and you're the one who'll live with it. Maybe see if you can get to a fews Starbucks to anonymously roadtest the name and see how each one fits.

Pia is a gorgeous name, and nickname Pip makes perfect sense to me. Good luck

Pia is OK and Pip is nice, but they aren't really related.

It would be a bit odd to have Pip as a full name as it is such a diminutive, and traditionally short for Philip ie for males more often than females.

As Pippa is traditionally a nn for Philippa - what about changing your name to Philippa, and using Pip as your nn?

I know a couple of Pia's of Scandinavian origin. It's a perfectly fine name however I'd not really Sao it leads to pip as it's short in its own right. As op I immediately thought Phillipa

@Luredbyapomegranate

Pia is OK and Pip is nice, but they aren't really related.

It would be a bit odd to have Pip as a full name as it is such a diminutive, and traditionally short for Philip ie for males more often than females.

As Pippa is traditionally a nn for Philippa - what about changing your name to Philippa, and using Pip as your nn?

This is my thinking

I agree go with Philippa

Thanks so much for giving your thoughts - I go round in ever decreasing circles about it.

I don't want to change it to Philippa, it just doesn't feel like 'my' name at all.

I'm not at the age/stage where I'll be doing anything much formal again, so I could try getting used to introducing myself as Pip maybe?

It's really hard because a name is such a personal thing. I feel 'Pippa' has such a huge connection to my abusers - like they owned the name in the way they owned me.

I am also going to change my surname but that's easier because I will just take my husband's surname (15 years post marriage!).

Would you think your friend was a bit bonkers to name change? My friends have known me for decades and all know about the abuser now so they would understand the reasoning.

I just feel a bit embarrassed about the whole thing

Do you think think a Penny (Penelope) or a Kate (Katherine) go through explaining their full name any time? Nope.
Or Kate who is not a Katherine?

You want to change your name to Pia do it, you want to change your name to Pip do it.

I know a few Pips and that is definitely the whole name (one is a close relative so I know definitely not a pippa or phillipa) lots of previously shortened versions of names are stand alone names now- I know a few Abis and Bettys etc
I think pip is a nicer name than pippa personally

I went to uni with a lady called Pippin which would work well with the nickname Pip. It means 'awe-inspiring' or 'traveller/ pilgrim' and is also the name of a lord of the rings character.

Please don’t feel embarrassed about changing your name. I mean this in a nice way but although it’s a big deal to you, it won’t be a big deal to anyone else.

If you introduce yourself as Pippa currently, some people probably already assume it’s a shortening of Philippa. So I don’t think you should feel self conscious about introducing yourself as Pip because it’s a shorter name - no-one will bat an eyelid.
As you say, perhaps try it out and see how it feels.

Absolutely nothing at all to be embarrassed about.

I really like Piper

You lot are awesome! This is giving me the encouragement I need. I feel like I have options.

I like the idea of Pippin meaning traveller - Pippa is the worst name to travel with as it is generally slang for intimate body parts or bodily functions in every language

I was also bullied at school for being posh and felt so out of place. I had a nice house on the outside and a horror house on the inside

I was never allowed to rest at home and had to do endless chores. Sometimes I would sneak up to my bedroom to lie down but the shrill call of 'Pippa' would follow me up. My birth name was said in criticism, anger and disappointment but never with love.