Just Lizzie, not Elizabeth

[JJB3]

We're having our first baby (a girl). My husband suggested Lizzie as soon as we found out the gender. He has loved it since childhood and has been hoping that I'll officially agree to it. The only "problem" is that he hates the formal name (Elizabeth). (I've noticed that he hates most names that start with the letter E.) To be fair, I'm not too keen on Elizabeth either. I've just been thinking that Lizzie as an official name might look a bit unprofessional to other people, but he doesn't care about what other people think. He's of the opinion that we shouldn't give our child a first name that we dislike just to appease other people. Thoughts?

I don’t think it’s good to have a nickname only as your official name; would you consider Eliza or Lisa?

Is Eliza any better? (Yes, I do know it starts with an E too 😁)

Totally agree with him - do not give the baby a name you don’t like just because it’s traditional. We have a Tom and occasionally when giving it eg at doctor they will say “so that’s Thomas?” which annoys me but otherwise I don’t see the issue. It’s not like you’re giving her a name like Fluffy or Babykins which might be a bit too informal! So if you both like Lizzie then give her that name.

There are plenty of Ellie’s Rosie’s Gracie’s etc. I don’t think it’s a problem. I prefer it to Elizabeth too.

I’m with your husband

You could use Liza, which is lovely!

I think your husband is right about not giving a name to appease other people but, at the same time, I agree with you that it feels not quite right to put a nickname on the BC

I wouldn't use a name I didn't like just so I could use a nickname I did so see his point. Equally I also wouldn't use a name like Lizzie where most people will ask or assume it's short for Elizabeth, as she will spend her whole life correcting people who think it's a nickname.

I do think it's a problem. It sounds and looks like an abbreviation because it is. Imagine it on a job application. And everytime it's given out someone will ask 'so that's Elizabeth'.

What about Charlize? Lisandra? Melissa? Isabel?

Don’t do it.

I know a Jessie who isn’t a Jessica and it’s the bane of her life.

Although I like it, I'd presume their full name was Elizabeth which would be annoying correcting people all the name.

Izzie instead of Lizzie? Isobel, Isabella, Isadora,

Lizette nn lizzy
Felicity nn Lissy / Lizzy

Eliza
Eloise
Elisabette
Elise
Lisette
Liza

But Elizabeth is a fabulous name!

It’s fine, so many people are obsessed with giving a full name, for the birth certificate but never referring to that ever! Go for it 😊

I don't know anyone named Lizzie personally, so I immediately thought of Lizzie Borden and that awful nursery rhyme about her when I saw this thread. 😬 I believe Lizzie was her full name too. Not a great association to have! It does prove that Lizzie has been used by some as a full name for a long time.

I wouldn’t be worried about it looking unprofessional. One advantage of using Elizabeth is that it gives your child options in the future if she doesn’t like Lizzie (Elizabeth, Beth, Betsy etc) but then she could always use her middle name/deed poll if she hated Lizzie that much and she could like/dislike any name. So if you want Lizzie, go for it.

I wouldn’t use Lizzie unless it was short for Elizabeth / Eliza etc personally, as it’s such a commonly used shortening for those names and so rarely used as a full name, that I think it’s more hassle than it’s worth having to explain to everyone that “no it’s not short for Elizabeth” etc. However, that’s just me liking an easy life and I wouldn’t think anything negative about someone else being called “Lizzie, not short for anything”.

Lizzie used as a full name reminds me of Lizzie Borden.

I have a name which is also used as a shortening for another name (which I dislike). Constantly saying no my name is x, not xxx has always been annoying.

I think you should give the full name. Then she has more options.

My great granny was a Lizzie and she was named for her granny so, whilst Elizabeth is more common, Lizzie has been used as a standalone name for many many years.

I don't understand how it can be the bane of her life?

Op if you both like it .then call her it, I don't think she will need a formal version of her name, I know a Katie who isn't Katherine a Tommy that isn't Thomas, its fine.

It’s too nicknamey to be a full name (like Kate works but Kitty doesn’t)

Eliza?

It has - but historically most shortforms given as full names were in families that didn’t have professional jobs etc.

I think it can be fine, but it depends on the shortform. Lizzy is a bit too cutesy, although I like it as a diminutive