Change baby’s ‘nickname’ name to its longer form

[SunshineInMyPockett]

I have a 5 month old DS with a name that would be considered a ‘nickname’ name. He’s officially registered as this name but part of me keeps wondering if we should have given him the traditional longer form as his ‘official’ name to give him more options when he’s older.

I guess his name would be considered as a bit ‘cutesy’ by some - fine for a baby but possibly not for a grown man. I don’t really see it like that and think by the time he is grown there will be a long list of Reggies, Montys, Alfies, etc so it will be the norm.

I also don’t particularly like the traditional name that we would give him (I don’t hate it but it’s not something I would choose!) I won’t give the name as I’m not after opinions on the actual name but it would be similar to having a ‘Teddy’ but having ‘Edward’ on the birth certificate.

Should I have the courage of my convictions and keep the name we chose for him and love, or should I give him options for when he’s older?!

Although I did think that the guy who went by 'BJ' should perhaps have used his longer name, if he had one 😆

All six of my children have names that would be called “nicknames “on here. They are not nicknames, they are diminutives of longer names.
I chose the names because I liked the short versions.

Being named Bill, not William has caused one son no problems, embarrassment, hardships or career difficulties at all.

His nickname is Bandit, he lost an arm in a farm accident when he came home his sister said he was like a one armed bandit machine, it stuck.

The others have similar names, some have nicknames which they’ve acquired over the years

Thank you for this! We have a ‘Barny’ where I work who is very high up and is his actual name. As a previous poster touched on I think it’s actually easier for men (as sad as it is) especially as a lot of men go by nicknames derived from their last names too.

Oh do me a favour with the crap about having a long name so you have a choice. I have a nickname as a first name and at no point in nearly 50 years have I wished I had a full version of my name, because, you know, it’s not my name and neither have I ever had any desire whatsoever to call myself anything other than the name I was given. To add, I have also been perfectly successful in my career and I’m taken seriously because I am good at my job, my name is irrelevant

My DD is the nickname version, think Penny for Penelope, and sometimes regret not going for the full version but both me and her dad have longer names on our birth certificate but have never gone by then and we both hate our full names. It’s so hard to get it right as you never know how your future child would feel

I don't get this- if a Charles wants to be known as Charlie he can- so why would a Charlie not be able to be known as Charles if he wants?

You honestly don't see the difference between shortening a traditional name and lengthening a name?

If your official name is Charlie and you apply for say a new job as Charles then no background checks can be done using Charles as that's not your name.

Good on you for not listening to the snobs on here 🖤

Good on you for not listening to the snobs on here

The op asked for honest opinions. Why are people whose opinions you don't agree with 'snobs' ?

I have a full name that can be shortened and that's just the way I like it. Longer name for work, shorter name for play 🤣