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Baby names

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

Original poster

ITS OK TO CALL YOUR CHILD THE "SHORT" VERSION OF A NAME - SO BOLLOCKS TO ALL YOU FARKING SNOBS WHO TURN YOUR NOSES UP!

107 replies

MamaG · 28/08/2008 14:19

You know who you are!

I did this with DS (as in Archie rather than Archibald - but a completely different name) and MIL in particular went ON and ON about it - the long version of DS's name sounds a tad pompous and I DON'T LIKE IT.

I don't want to hear ANYBODY on MN bleat "oh don't call him Ben, it has to be Benjamin" etc again

___

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notsoteenagemum · 29/08/2008 10:25

I agree I have Alfie not Alfred but my Great-Gran said he'll never be prime-minister with a nick-name! I'm Kate but everyone thinks I'm Katherine which is annoying or they actually call me Katie which is even more annoying.
DD is just M though not Molly ha ha

BEAUTlFUL · 29/08/2008 10:45

I wouldn't call my kids shortened versions, it'd be like Christening them with nicknames. I love shortened versions as an affectionate name for every-day use, but they're not REAL names, not proper OFFICIAL names... It's not right, it's not right

One of my boys is called Harry, so on his birth cert, I have called him Henry, as that is the real name. Since then, it's been non-stop from DH's side of the family, "Oh I never knew that Harry was short for Henry; how can it be a shortened version when it's the same length?" etc, etc. It just is, you thickos, is what I always think but never say.

My SIL said, "So is Prince Harry really called Henry?"

"Yes, of course," I said.

"Bollocks!" was her reply. She wouldn't believe me and actually went and looked it up on Wikipedia.

BEAUTlFUL · 29/08/2008 10:47

But really, the best thing about calling your kids the full version of their names, is giving their friends a chuckle during the wedding ceremony.

WickedBitchoftheEast · 29/08/2008 10:48

The day my son was born they asked me what his name was so I told them (this is not his real name, I just pinched it from Jux) Tim and the first thing Doc said was 'OK baby Timothy' WTF ? and then proceeded to write it on all his documentation!

Two years down the line they still call him the extended version of the name, but it's NOT his bloody name.

There are no words to describe the ignorance, well none that I can print on here.

notsoteenagemum · 29/08/2008 10:58

Sorrry Beautiful but the your names your name its only a nick-name if its not your actual name. Like the wedding idea though!

BEAUTlFUL · 29/08/2008 11:02

I find it really interesting learning what diminutives go with which "real" name.

IE, Sally is short for Sarah; Kit is short for Christopher, etc.

I also think it's important that we keep the "real" names going... But I accept that that might be a weird view.

Original poster
MamaG · 29/08/2008 11:26

I do think it depends on teh name

I love Sam and Samuel for example so would call a boy Samuel known as Sam

I like Alfie but not Alfred so I'd just call the boy Alfie

I'm just fickle aren't I

OP posts:
VictorianSqualor · 29/08/2008 11:35

I dislike the names Robert, Rob and Robbie Sorry but I do.
My Dad's name was Robert, but everyone called him Bobby.
Because of this DS1 is called Bobby.
However DS2 is Alexander not Alex.
It depends if you like the full name or not.

LadyThompson · 29/08/2008 12:52

I used to love this topic. It was my ultimate relaxation. Now, I think I have overdosed. I no longer CARE what other mums call their infants. I don't MIND whether people call them Snarglegarglemeepersneep, or Zg, Fruition-Bumholey, FB for short. I have no view. Names don't matter overly, whatever anyone says. It's all fine. They're all fine, and it doesn't matter if your cat was called it, or a serial killer, or it's chavvy or poncy or reminds someone of a disease. IT'S ALL FINE!

bethdivine · 29/08/2008 15:51

mamag I agree with you - but that might be the shared pg hormones and the issue of MIL. - e.g. I love the name Thomas and love the name Tom. If this baby is a boy I would prob call Tom - but would have to tell MIL he's just called Tom and that's the name we expect everybody to use - as otherwise she would just call him Tommy, as would SIL. - DS has a name with one syllabul as we wanted to choose what our son would be called by everybody and not let everybody else choose to shorten his name as they chose. let's pretend his name is max - and both SIL and MIL have called him Maxy and have had to be told, no it's just Max. His second name is William as we love the name and my step-Dad was William but sadly died before DS was born so we wanted to name him after SD. However, I could never have chosen William as a first name, as there are so many shortened versions people would choose and then our baby would end up being called a name we didn't choose. It never ceases to amaze me how people think it's an endearment when they add "y" to a name and it's ok to do so. - DS is 18mo. I saw somebody I know vaguely whom I hadn't seen for years last week and she was cooing over DS and asked what his name was and straight away she said "hiya maxy" - why why why do people do it?!!

Squirdle · 29/08/2008 20:48

Hatrick, I love your childrens names

cherrieberry · 29/08/2008 20:59

i have a cohan but we have ended up calling him co...or even worse coco!!!!

unknownrebelbang · 29/08/2008 21:15

DS1 is called his full name by me, DH and FIL, we never shorten it, although others do.

DS2 is called by a shortened name, used from birth, although certain teachers insisted on using his full name or a different short-form (often the same teachers who insisted on shortening DS1's name )

DS3 is called both, depending on what mood I'm in.

I was christened shortened version of a name, with a "naff" spelling to boot, but most people assume that it's short for the full version. It isn't.

unknownrebelbang · 29/08/2008 21:25

VS - nowt wrong with Robbie , not so sure about Bobby, lol.

And as a Vikki, I've never had a problem with it on my CV. Having said that I've worked for the same organisation for 24 years so...

Elkat · 29/08/2008 22:26

I have to admit that I do prefer the 'proper' name with a shortening, and preferably more than one. Both my daughters have got their full names to choose from and at least 3 pet names that can be derived from them, so they will find a name that suits them. For example, DD2 is KAtherine - sometimes she gets called Katherine, sometimes Katie, Kay or Kitty - different people have different nicknames for her, but I hope she will eventually choose the name she likes for herself. That's why I prefer formal names, because if you go for the shortened version, there's often very little alternatives, the child is lumbered with that name, like it or not. At least with a formal name and a shortened name, they have a choice of 2 names. But then, I am biased because I am lumbered with a bloody awful name that my mother chose, but I wouldn't dare change through deed poll, as it would offend my mother. That said, I am lucky that it is a long name that I have been able to shorten it to something reasonably decent ... so maybe I have a vested interest. But it definitely isn't a class thing for me.

NotAnOtter · 29/08/2008 22:29

my ds3 has the most WONDERFUL NAME EVER!! and i mean that!

the long version of his name is DIRE and a bit of a joke

VictorianSqualor · 30/08/2008 10:16

Unknown, One of my best mates has been a Robbie Williams Superfan for way too long, totally put me off!

unknownrebelbang · 30/08/2008 12:54

Haha - Robbie Williams is from my area, and folk often assume he's named after him. He's not, he's named after his dad, but with a different short-form. (DH is Bob).

Couldn't call him Bobby now could I, with his dad being a...bobby (professionally speaking)?

glammam · 30/08/2008 13:08

My son is called Herbie, definitely not Herbert, as a lot of older people think! I do call him Herbert as a joke when he's being mischievous but he is certainly Herbie.
If we have another boy we might call him Albie as in Albert so we'll probably get asked about that all the time too!

CuckooSplodgeandTubs · 30/08/2008 14:16

LadyThompson, I don't care what individuals call their children. My interest is on a grander scale

I am interested in names and their ranking (how rankings differ in different areas) what they mean, what's considered poncey, chavvy, how long it will take a name such as Margaret to come back into fashion.

I find it all fascinating, but, I have several pregnant friends and I really couldn't care less what they call their children.

lottiejenkins · 30/08/2008 14:23

My niece is 14 shes a Margaret... we call her Meg. Heaven forbid you should call her Megan. "My name is Margaret Rose" is her reply!!

cheesychips · 30/08/2008 14:49

Can I join, can I join
Kit, Ned and Ben
(Maybe I think boys can only spell cvc words)

lottiejenkins · 30/08/2008 22:59

Megs brother is a Kit.......

VictorianSqualor · 31/08/2008 16:54

LOL, rebel, As is DP.
This was of course not the case when DS1 was named though.

IhaveaSONcalledJesse · 07/09/2008 12:08

Daughter has a short name because long version is gross! Why call them it if it's the short one you like?
Esp hate it when that statement is followed by "long one is for special occasions/when they're older etc... they are who they are, and it is what it is. Is it really better to have a "spare name" just in case they become a high court judge?
Son is called Jesse - we're not country and western fans, nor are we American, we just loved it - and that's how you know it's the one. It didn't matter what people said/say, we still absolutely love it.
Incidentally, my MIL did actually say "How could you call him that" AFTER the birth announcement! You're never safe from that particular brand of affection!