shortened names - what do you thinnk?

[hockeymum]

Just wondering what people think about naming a baby a shortened name, rather than the full name. Is it OK? or do you think its important that they have the full proper name?

Just asking because I've been struggling for boys names for db and the only ones I really like a shortened ones (which I hate the longer versions of). My two favourites are Charlie and Theo, but I hate the names Charles and Theodore which are obviously the "proper" names.

What do you think? How did you get round this?

I was all for saying shortened names are fine and go that way until I read the thread. I never thought about all the reasons for having a full name. Very interesting.

My ds is MAx not any longer version
My dd is always called by her shortened name but her full name (I think) is so beautiful that I could not have beared to not call her it.
She is learning that she has two names as nursery always use her full name...
It's fine, but you will get asked
Is it short for xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx?

41 years ago, I was given a name that in those days was generally thought of as a shortened version of another name. My uncle apparently objected but that was of not much consequence to my family.

What was worse though was that I was bullied at school by a bunch of half-wits who siezed upon the fact that my name wasn't what they thought it should be and made it an excuse to make my life misery. Also, I spent my childhood correcting adults who jumped to the conclusion that my name was really its longer version. I still have to patiently inform solicitors, bank managers and the like that I am perfectly able to understand the term "full" name when filling our official forms and that I have not inadvertently written my pet name.

It can lead to problems, but I would hope your child would have an easier time than I have, because all sorts of names are the norm these days.

Both my children have longer names "officially" but are called by shorter variants. However I feel a longer/formal one is vital to be used for reprimanding them .

we did shortened names - for the same reason - didn't like the long versions.

Ive got Jessica, who is shortened to Jess or Jessi and Rebecca who is often Becky or Boo.... they can choose what they want to be called as they get older.

I don't think my post made my position clear on the subject! Despite what I have had to endure, I like my name and dislike the longer version (not surprisingly, after being erroneously called it all my life!)

I think, go for the shorter version if you want to, although I do feel some names are better suited to an adult, eg Theo and Max are fine for adults and children alike, but Charlie seems a little babyish for a man.

I think Charlie and Theo are fine as they are. Two of my son's have lengthened names- Sam is a Samuel, because that's the name we liked but nobody uses it. We also chose Harry for the youngest, but artficially lengthened it (unusual perhaps) to harold, to remember my Grandad Harold (not that i ever met him) and more importantly, my FIL.

I do think it's nice to have a posh CV name, in case he becomes a barrister or just a snob.

but Tony Blair manages fine

i just think its a shame that hockeymum feels pressurised to give her children the longer/full version of names she really likes, when she doesnt even like the full versions

hockeymum, go with whatever you like, whatever suits your little one

charlie is not a babyish name. i know lots of fully grown men called charlie, rugby players, doctors, etc

Saying that, ds2 has Max as his middle name as I liked Maxwell, dh like Maximus (!! This is the man who wanted Anakin for ds1!) so we agreed to stick, he has an incredibly unusual first name though so it's nice.

I think our long name obsession in this family could be coz dh and I both have one syllable names, I don't even have a middle name. Consequently they all have middles (godfrey, my maiden name; Max and jarvis griffith- I was gettingc arried away by then )

But when elected to Parliament, even TB was called Anthony by the returning officer.

but Tony Blair isnt thought of any less because he gets called Tony.

maybe for other reasons but not his name

Charlie is a very rugger-bugger/city-type name.

Theo makes me think of a rather sophisticated, handsome, gentlemanly guy. Sexy in a groomed way.

agree with ndp about Charlie

As far as I know the only law is that a child has to have a name, so go with what you are happy with, at the end of the day its your own choice. Obviously it is wise to excerise a bit of common sense to limit the potential future problems of ridicule at school etc, but in any case children have the knack of making something rude/funny out of any name, and imo most go through a phase of disliking the name that they are given.

But my point is that TB has a formal name to fall back on in formal situations if he wishes.

my point is that the original poster has 2 names she really likes, but she dislikes the full version.

therefore i dont think its fair for her to call her child by the full versions just because its thought to be 'right'. i think she should call her children by the shortened versions, which she does like

Oh yes, I agree with you there, but I hope she reads what I had to say about my experience. She should know what she might be letting her child in for.

when choosing a name surely the primary consideration should be the child? and what the effect might be on the child?
it can't be just question of what the parent likes or doesn't like, surely?
it's not a personal whim

my name is a shortened version, my mum didnt like the full version.

i too have on occasions been teased but i think i would have been teased more if my real name had been the full version. and i do have to point out to some that this is in fact my full name, etc etc etc but it doesnt bother me

Harpsi, isn't it? I chose my children's names on a whim.

i know harpsi, but would you go to the registrars and tell them what you want to call your child, when you didnt even like that name?

"whats your childs name?"

"XXXX, but i dont actually like it, please call her XX"

yes so I would choose something else entirely in that situation because, like it or not, if you call a child Charlie the both of you are going to have to be explaining it till kingdom come
like this
what's your child's name?
Charlie
Oh Charles is lovely my father's name was Charles blablabla
no not Charles, Charlie. I don't like Charles
oh!

then he get it when he's an adult too
betcha.
Theo though is nice

harpsi, i have asked my mum this before and she says hardly anyone asked her if my name was shortened or not. and i have to say i can maybe count on one hand the amount of times anyone has asked me "is that short for ...."

yes theo is nice, but i prefer charlie. brilliant name. if i ever have a boy his name will be Robbie. and not Robert