Shortened name on birth certificate?

[Fan90210]

Hello,

I’d really appreciate some guidance here as I am in two minds! If DC is a boy, we have chosen a name that we like that’s a nickname of longer name. I won’t give the name away but along the lines of Nick (Nicholas), Tom (Thomas), Alex (Alexander) etc.

Having read the ONS statistics there seems a trend of using nicknames on the birth certificates too.

But I am torn whether to put the full first name on the birth certificate, given I’d rarely use it. In addition, at places like doctors etc would they naturally just use the longer first name or is there a “known as” option like at
school?

Thank you.

All really helpful, given me plenty to think about! Thank you all!

Using full name also helps 'futureproof' a name.

I know someone who used to go by Alexa, but now goes by Alexandra. By having the longer name it gives more flexibility in case the short name becomes tedious for whatever reason.

I know someone who was only given the shortened name as his parents didn't like the full name, when he became a teenager he decided he hated his name and chose to go by the longer version . His parents weren't very happy but it was entirely his choice.

I'd introduce him as Alex. If you have no intention of using the full name just put Alex on the BC.
Lots of other boys will be things like Archie, Charlie, Freddie, Alfie and Teddy, and girls have names like Evie, Ellie, Hallie and Elsie.

My son is Freddie on his birth certificate, not Frederick cos I knew I’d never use Frederick.

I remember being at school and peoples long ‘names’ being on the register, and them constantly correcting teachers. If my son doesn’t want Freddie growing up, then he’s always got Fred as an option

Generally I agree that it's best to use a "full" name on a birth certificate because it gives the child the option in future to use it if they wish, particularly if the shorter name is very casual.
It really depends on what the name is - whether the shorter version is known as a name in its own right.

For example, Teddy, Freddie, Johnny, Matt, Steve, Will - I'd go for a "proper" name on the birth certificate because these are very nick-namey.

Alf, John, Ben, Liam, for example - tend to be known as a name in their own right.

Give the longer name on the BC but introduce him to everyone by what you are planning to call him day to day imo - it’s great for him to have options when older.

Only exception might be if the shortened version is so much more popular or better known than the longer/“formal” version - ie Max is way more popular than Maximilian so most people wouldn’t assume, Jack is much more popular than John etc.

We have a longer name for our daughter but never use it and my name is officially a longer name too and I never use it either but the choice is there I guess!

I know many people though who have the shirt / nickname so it's totally your preference

Side note.... many a times I've forgotten to put my 'official' name when I should (flights etc) 😂

Yes

When my sister was born my parents in birth certificate used the full name intended to use the Nick name - we never did. Though her school friends used the Nick name & still do now! It’s odd as I only know her by her formal name.

My husband hates it when people use the nick name version of his name. With our daughter the eldest again just uses her full name - her friends often use the shorten. Our second daughter we all use the Nick name - wish I had just put that one on her birth certificate!

I have a Penny who is Penny on birth certificate. We love her name so so much, but we didn’t like Penelope. We have also chosen a shortened name for our 2nd baby arriving this year

I would use the name you intend to actually use. It’s a pet peeve of mine when people put one name on the birth certificate and then call their children something else.

I think it does depend somewhat on the name.

I probably wouldn’t expect you to go with Archibald for Archie or Harold for Harry. Going straight for Beth or Liv might seem a bit odd though.

Full name on bc. Just introduce him to people as Alex or Tom.