Why shorten a name?

[NotAlexa]

I've lived in the UK for over 14 years now, became British and still don't get it - why all the names are being shortened? Or sometimes it is an already short version of the name given to the person? For example Ben for Benjamin, Lizzy for Elizabeth and Vicky for Victoria?

Some seemingly short names are shortened even more, which to me looks like shortening for the sake of shortening: Bridget for Bridge or Briddie (same syllables!!!) or Jacob for Jake, Alan for Al, Lily for Lil. What's the point?

I don’t know. As someone with a name that people constantly try to shorten, it starts to feel mean. It’s not my name. If it was my name, I would have stated the short version as my name.

Why not? Shortening and abbreviating things is a pretty normal human habit. Some names sound a bit grand or fancy for a baby or a little child. Shortenings of names are informal and affectionate ways of referring to someone. Plus some people just prefer the sound of the shortened version (but might prefer to officially give their child the longer version in case they prefer it when they are older).

I've recently met a baby boy called Alfie (not Alfred! even in passport). Can't imagine a grown man called Alfie instead of Alfred. Sounds so infantile!

I've recently met a baby boy called Alfie (not Alfred! even in passport). Can't imagine a grown man called Alfie instead of Alfred. Sounds so infantile!

There have been plenty of fairly well-known Alfies, including a few politicians here

Alfie Boe? Sounds pretty adult to me.

You'd think me weird - gave dc a three letter name, and I shorten it! And lengthen it! It's affectionate that's all.

This is so interesting! In Europe I would not be shortened - went through entire school length without being referred to by anything except for my full name Alexandra. And in the UK i've heard people complaining it's too long. But I insist I don't care it's long - it's my name and they better pronounce it fully or risk being hit in the face 😆

For affection my mum and dad would use Puss, Dumpling, Honey, Sweetie, Sunshine etc.

But I insist I don't care it's long - it's my name

I don't think anyone is suggesting that shortening your name should be compulsory! It's common in this country and less common in some countries, but obviously it's up to the person whose name it is. I have no strong feelings about shortening names in general, but absolutely hate the shortened version of my name! It's a name which can be male or female, but the shortened version is pretty much exclusively used for men.

I'm also an Alexandra.
I hate my full name and only use it when absolutely necessary.
I'm Alex at work as it's just easier to use a shorter version and Alexandra seems too formal when I know most of my clients so well.
My family and friends have always shortened it to Ali which is my preferred name. If any of them used my full name I'd think I'd pissed them off!

Jimberley is too long. Jim is easier to say.

Everyone in our family go by their full names except me.

Most of my kid's friends use full names too.

Maybe it's different social circles.

I hate it when I introduce myself as Susan (not my real name) and the person replies 'Hi Sue, nice to meet you' I just told you my name is Susan!! I do correct people and say I'd rather Susan if I'm going to spend anytime with them.

Where I live in Wales it's common to shorten a name to 1 syllable so Gerwyn becomes Ger (soft G) Karen becomes 'Ka', Julia becomes 'Ju', Michelle 'mish' etc etc. I think it's awful!

However my Grandmother, born in the 1920's had a middle name that was a shortened version of a long name. Infact her first name was one syllable and another middle name was 3! Not her actual name but basically it was like Jane Eleanor Tabby Johnson.

The British like their quirks!😃

I wonder if part of it is to do with language speed. My Spanish friends are very fast speaking and Spanish is supposed to be one of the fastest languages. My friend has a long 4 syllable name. Added to which are four surnames which is traditional where she comes from too. That would take forever to say in English but in Spanish races along nicely. English tends to stress the first syllable more often and then the rest comes along a bit slowly and clunkily. This might be why most names are shortened to first syllable and "a" or "ie".

Apart from this a lot of people in Britain had the same names in years gone by. Lots in the same family called William, Mary and Margaret for example. So then a lot of nicknames emerged to tell all the Marys and Margarets apart. So there are lots and lots of nicknames for Margaret like Meg and Maggie and Margie and Peg and Peggy and even Daisy, which is a strange one. This is where lots of names like Molly and Dolly etc come in. So the adult might be the full name and the offspring various affectionate nicknames. It's different to your idea of a nickname which is a fond family thing. It's a way of differentiating between lots of people with the same name out in the public sphere too, not just about family.

A lot of teens will have a nickname and shorten names because it's cooler or closer or more friendly. There can be a sense that people are being formal using a full name sometimes. So often it's the person themselves who prefers the shortening. Very few people would insist on calling themselves Elizabeth as a full name. It's very long in English and also seems formal. You almost expect someone to be telling someone off if they use the full name and it's so long. The same with Alexandra. I think 4 syllable names don't stand much of a chance of not getting shortened. But in other languages they can be so much more flowy and rhythmic sounding.

A lot of people feel that using their full name sounds quite formal (and maybe even pretentious). If someone called Victoria or Elizabeth insisted on their full names at all times, it could come across as a little uptight and unfriendly. Shortening names is often seen as a sign of friendliness and being down to earth and easy going. It’s a cultural thing though and completely personal preference. I would certainly never choose a baby name in this country unless I liked the most common short version!