"Nicknames" as first names

[Confusion101]

I often see on the baby name threads that people don't like a name because they classify it as a "nickname" or shortened version of a longer name. I was just wondering why people don't like this? Most of the names on my list are shortened versions because I don't know why we would write one name on the birth cert when we know we would call the child by another name. Just wondering so I don't regret my decision

But people very rarely get to ‘choose’ a name to be referred to by - aside from sticking it on passports etc. Generally whatever your parents call you is whenever you are known by pretty much for life.
That's not my experience. I have a (imo beautiful) 'long' name that I generally use as an adult. Close family and friends tend to use a (cute) diminutive. I know lots of adults who use various versions of their names (at work, among friends, by partner etc)

I do too! I wonder if it's the same one? My mother was horrified at the child being given a diminutive and predicted that she would hate it. My mother was right.

My DS absolutely cringes if anyone calls him Tommy. It's awful. I also loathe Teddy and Albie. They are baby names. Babies grow up. Their names should reflect that.

Teddy is the worst for Edward.

we have quite a few Alfie’s/Archies/Poppy’s joining my work now who are 18-20ish but it doesn’t feel odd because they are such popular names for that generation that it just seems ‘normal’ now and not particularly cutesy

Exactly, it’s just normal now, things have changed

i think this makes people uncomfortable as the playing field is further levelled so a child’s name isn’t such a class denoter as before

they want their child to be advantaged just by giving them a long ‘classic’ name and get annoyed that those old rules are slipping into the past

Cutesy names like Alfie, Albie, Teddie, Izzie may be fashionable now. But they may not be in a few years. Their owners might prefer the option of going by Alfred, Albert, Edward or Isabel?

But Alfie can go by Alfred if he wants to. It’s far less common, but there’s nothing to stop him. And changing your name is free and simple if being Alfie (known as Alfred) doesn’t feel formal enough. That doesn’t mean that everyone has to like the names (and the Alfie/Reggie/Tilly etc aren’t my style) but I don’t think there’s anything objectively wrong with them either.

well If the longer version is ‘in fashion’ then presumably the nicknames will be as well 🤔

Depends on the name. Somehow, Kate, Jack, Beth etc. are fine. Izzie, Ollie, Alfie etc. just sound like the sort of names given by parents who think their kid will be a toddler forever.

well If the longer version is ‘in fashion’ then presumably the nicknames will be as well

Yes and nothere's definitely a perceived "parental class/educational level" difference. I think cutesy-poo names for adults will not age well for this reason and will acquire Wayne/Tracey connotations with time. Also, the use of these namesespecially for boys--is very much a UK thing; you don't really see it in the US and most other English speaking countries. I think being a grown man with a name like Alfie will be awkward in contexts outside the UK.

"Most of the names on my list are shortened versions because I don't know why we would write one name on the birth cert when we know we would call the child by another name."

Just a thought - your child is not going to be a child for ever.
PPs are right, some names such as Jack have become names in their own right, but silly names like Albie and Effie are childish and sound like you are naming a pet, not a human

Well I'm a woman and I should think I'm about 20 years older so I don't think so. Did his family have a cutesy name for him?

I think cutesy-poo names for adults will not age well for this reason and will acquire Wayne/Tracey connotations with time. Also, the use of these names especially for boysis very much a UK thing

I agree. These cutesy names already sound dated imo.

Most of the names on my list are shortened versions because I don't know why we would write one name on the birth cert when we know we would call the child by another name

But 'the child' may prefer the option of the more formal name?

When the kid is in trouble having a full first name to fall back on and call out is the ultimate sign they have landed themselves in the 'sh*t'. I have a cousin who everyone just knows as Eve but her proper name on her birth certificate is Aoibhinn. When she hears her full first name she knows she is in trouble or that people are being serious. It is a step down from full name calling her with her first, middle and last name but denotes the escilating seriousness and losing of patience.

Lol, my son (5) said that James was his 'told off' name ... he's quite right really

I didn't speak at school for a month. When they called my parents in my dad had a brainwave and asked what they were calling me
"Her full name"
Dad "oh. Well she thinks she's always in trouble then!"

I dislike my name anyway as it has a masculine and feminine version and nobody can say or spell the two different ones. Never used to be a problem but the last couple of years I've got pissed off with being called "Samuel" when "Samantha" is written on the appointment/parcel/email

But are all short names cute?
Alfred becoming Alfie might be, but what if child is just called Alf, and known as Alf forever. I wouldn’t meet a 40 year old Alf Smith and think it sounded like a toddler

Alf, Tom, Gus, Ray, John, Fred

I have never met a Rose and thought I couldn’t take them seriously as they aren’t Rosemary. Or Anna not having Annabelle on birth certificate

I gave mine the short version of their name on the BC but still call them by the longer names when they are in trouble. Think Sam(uel) and Ben(jamin).

Sorry I just don't get this point like it is not going into my head why this is important and people keep saying it! 🙈 They may also "prefer" an entirely different name altogether? What's the difference in being christened Lottie and wanting to be called Charlotte at a later date or being christened Charlotte and wanting to be called Lottie later? 😅 I've a name that cannot be shortened or lengthened so have never had a choice of what I might prefer, I just have this name!

Silly names like Albie and effie says @Katypp . Is your username not Katy? Why are those names any sillier than yours? Effie is a Victorian name used hugely in that period where I'm from. I think it's nice. So many in the graveyard near me. Doesn't sound like a toddler to me. Makes me think of Effie Gray. What IS pretty horrendous is Euphemia. Which is what it was short for back in the day. So I understand why parents might not want to put that on the BC. Let's do the judge test. Judge Euphemia? Judge Effie? Doesn't make any difference really does it? In fact Judge Euphemia possibly sounds more bizarre. I don't see that modern names are more cutesy than in the past. Why shouldn't boys have softer names? Perhaps this is a good thing? Offset some of the awful sexual stereotyping inherent in so many names and meanings.

I don't think there's anything wrong with longer names with shortenings or shortenings themselves or shorter names. I just think some of the tone is quite judgemental. Peculiarly so. Why should it bother anyone else? Why should someone's mother be 'horrified' at a diminutive going on a bc. It's all a bit over the top and judgemental surely?

It's all a bit over the top and judgemental surely?

Couldn't agree more.

. Also, the use of these namesespecially for boysis very much a UK thing; you don't really see it in the US and most other English speaking countries. I think being a grown man with a name like Alfie will be awkward in contexts outside the UK.

Err "awkward" ... Dear god. 🙄Like there aren't some ( to the British ear ) hilarious US names.

Nope wouldn't worry me though, because I don't feel 'awkward' about other peoples names, however different they are to my taste. And outside the UK people call their kids by all sorts of names, just like here.

What's the difference in being christened Lottie and wanting to be called Charlotte at a later date or being christened Charlotte and wanting to be called Lottie later? Charlotte can be known as Charlotte or by any diminutive such as Char, Charlie, Lottie, depending on circumstances. Lottie can be Lottie or Lot?

My mother has a very long formal name. She hates it and has spent her life introducing herself by a shortened 'cute' version. She's 82 now. Suits her. My father used to call her by an even cuter shorter version.

All these 'rules' are for naught really.

Exactly, it’s just normal now, things have changed i think this makes people uncomfortable as the playing field is further levelled so a child’s name isn’t such a class denoter as before they want their child to be advantaged just by giving them a long ‘classic’ name and get annoyed that those old rules are slipping into the past

This

And I refer you to the previous poster about "wayne/Tracey connotations ". Say it like it is why don't you.