Help me work out how how the hell I can ever shorten DDs name when I don't like any of the 'official' short forms. Please.

[DeJaVousdoo]

DD is called Isabella and although I love the name it's not necessarily one I'd have chosen, had things been different. I can explain if you want, but it's a bit of a long story.

I always just call her by her full name, the length doesn't bother me and fortunately it's nowhere near as common where I am as it is in the UK.

Anyway, DC2 is on the way and will probably end up with a longish name too (for balance). One full time long form I can cope with. Two seems, well, a bit poncey TBH

Neither DP or I like

Isabel
Izzy
Bel
Bella

We disagree on

Isa (pronounced Ee-sa) - 'tis very common here, DP thinks that's fine but I don't.
Ella - I like it, DP doesn't.

She's nearly one and no hint of a nickname has ever been detected. So, help what short of creative shortning could we use?

izzy bizzy,
or just bizzy?

Sabby? Iz?

belly?

I think a nickname will probably find her when DC2 is starting to talk. A know a girl who (now in her 30s) is always, always known as Mimi. Her real name is Ginevra but her sister couldn't pronounce it and always called her Mimi. It stuck.

My MN user name is a childhood nickname related to my middle name and nothing to do with my (long) first name.

I chose a longish name for my DD thinking it would be shortened to Lola, but she is 18 months old and we have never shortened it (in fact we lengthen it occasionally by adding the Spanish diminutive 'ita' ending).

I don't know why you feel that you have to shorten it. Stick with Isabella until she tells you if she wants a shortened form.

Bess is nice.

my dd is fearne but she gets boo i think bessy is lovely my friend ds 2 yrs calls his baby who is issabella zizzy bells its still long but its so cute when he says it ..

Tish?

Dont shorten it then. Why not choose a name for the second baby which is long but you can shorten it to a name you like, then you,ll still only have 1 long name.

Thanks everyone!

I'm so fussy about names, sorry I like Bessy / Bess from the suggestions. I've tried it a bit over the last few days, I'm not sure yet. I think I prefer Bess, but it feels like I'm calling her her "berry"...

I'm sure there must be other options, but I can't think of anything at all. I just feel I need a viable shortening before I can start thinking about names for DC2.

LuLuBai - we often lengthen DDs name too, with the Dutch diminutive tje. You'd think four syllables would be enough

sammybeth - I can imagine using a short(end) boys name with DDs full name but I don't think it would work for me with a girls name. Not all the time anyway, I just feel like I need a short option.

You might find you don't get a choice! We've got a Gabriella (age 2) and I was always keen that it didn't get shortened so we never do. However, she always now refers to herself as Bella even though she can now pronounce Gabriella.

Agree with magnummum - I've got a Flora (2) and she calls herself 'Rora' and sometimes increasingly 'Rory'. Can see her being one of these in future. I think Rory is actually quite cute.
My other DD was Caitlin until the age of 2.5 when she decided (entirely by herself one day) not to respond to Caitlin anymore and only be called Kitty. She is now 7 and hasn't been called Caitlin since. She is just Kitty and loves the story of how she 'chose' her own name. Most people barely remember what her 'proper' name is.
Perhaps your Isabella will come up with her own original name ......

Tizzy, I knew one many moons ago, lovely for a wee girl!

Tizzy, I knew one many moons ago, lovely for a wee girl!

Can't you keep her as Isabella and give the new baby the long name with shorter nickname instead?

just don't shorten it then

DDs nickname bears no resemblance to her name at all.

My dd3 has the nickname of Bobinog or more often Bob!

Ibi? Za Za (like Gabour), Billy?

I don't really like the idea of a short girls name with Isabella, maybe I'll come round if I find a good combo. I can't really see it working though.

Ibi? mmmm maybe, worth a try anyway.

Bea is the name a good friend and Zaa(tje)/Za Za is the nickname of DDs little friend (Zarah) so I can't really use either.

I did think of Billy and I really like it. Unfortunately, bil is buttock in Dutch and it would be beyond ridiculous.

call her Miffy it will confuse everyone

lol