Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Libby, Tabby?

62 replies

plumpvelvet · 08/05/2025 17:45

Tabitha (Tabby) vs Elizabeth (Libby)
Which one do you prefer?
I should probably also add that Tabitha would go by either Tabitha or Tabby but the latter would probably only be Libby as Elizabeth sounds too formal for my taste, however I would give the full name so she'd have options in the future.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 09/05/2025 08:02

Libby is my favourite pet form of Elizabeth, and one of my favourite names.

nameobsessed · 09/05/2025 08:06

Ketryne · 09/05/2025 07:29

I adore Libby, and would have considered it for our DD but DH didn’t like it. But contrary to Mumsnet opinion, I think if you only plan to use the nickname, just call her by the nickname, especially if the first initial is different. Schools/nurseries used the first initial a lot (e.g a Tom might have a ‘train’ on his peg, Sarah a ‘sun’ etc.). We loved a nickname form of a name with a different first initial and just called her the short version. She’s only a baby but I haven’t regretted it. We gave her a long middle name with lots of shortenings so she'd have options.

I’ve always wondered why people do this, it’s so interesting how different people’s tastes are :)

I have a very long name so have had about 10 different nicknames from just my first and two middle names but I would absolutely have hated to have the diminutive my mother liked on my BC. I go by my full name as an adult, it’s definitely a lot more sophisticated or professional than the nickname she chose for me.

I always think the more options the better.

Ketryne · 09/05/2025 09:20

nameobsessed · 09/05/2025 08:06

I’ve always wondered why people do this, it’s so interesting how different people’s tastes are :)

I have a very long name so have had about 10 different nicknames from just my first and two middle names but I would absolutely have hated to have the diminutive my mother liked on my BC. I go by my full name as an adult, it’s definitely a lot more sophisticated or professional than the nickname she chose for me.

I always think the more options the better.

Show quote history

I guess it depends on the nickname. I feel the name we’ve picked is a strong name in its own right and passes the adult test (it’s not babyish or cutesy). It’s also not that similar to the original name it comes from. Plus the full name had nicknames I liked a lot less and didn’t want to risk her being called by those.

In the examples OP is considering, I think Libby is strong enough to use in its own right, but with Tabby I would definitely go with Tabitha on the birth certificate because it’s feels more like a nickname and the first three letters are the same.

TheCompactPussycat · 09/05/2025 09:37

I like Tabitha. Tabby is just awful though.

Moreteaandchocolate · 09/05/2025 10:20

I prefer Libby - it’s a lovely, underused diminutive for Elizabeth and yet has quite a modern feel in that it fits well with current naming trends.

Tabitha is a lovely name but I’m really not keen on Tabby and wouldn’t like to be called that myself.

XelaM · 09/05/2025 10:21

CaveMum · 08/05/2025 18:40

Don’t pick the name based on the nickname you like - she’ll probably chose something totally different! A friend of mine chose Elizabeth as she wanted to call her daughter Lizzie, but even now at 16 she insists on being called Elizabeth.

Haha mine is the opposite- I really love the name Elizabeth but my daughter absolutely hates being called that and only goes by Lizzie

XelaM · 09/05/2025 10:22

Tabby is a cat's name so definitely Libby.

EcruCardigan · 09/05/2025 10:59

Both names are OK, but I'm not keen on Libby or Tabby.
I definitely prefer Elizabeth,which is classic and timeless.
Liberty is awful, and Tabby is a cat.

LovelySG · 09/05/2025 11:31

I LOVE Tabitha/ Tabby!

AllPlayedOut · 09/05/2025 17:39

Elizabeth. Tabitha is such an unattractive name.

JollyGreenSnake · 09/05/2025 21:26

Tabby McTat.....

pambeesleyhalpert · 09/05/2025 22:04

I love Libby but don’t like elizabeth. Love Tabitha but don’t like tabby. sorry I’m no help 🙈

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread