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Help[Opinions] Would you still use a name if you hated all the nicknames?
There are several girls names that I love, but I hate all of the nicknames for. I'm kind of afraid to use them because I don't want people shortening them (unless of course she wanted to be called that when she's old enough to decide so). I'm afraid if I use a name like Jacqueline, people are going to call her Jackie even if I try to correct them. Maybe I'm being stuffy, but here are a few examples:
Samantha- I love it, but I dislike Sam and Sammie after growing up with so many.
Jacqueline- Hate Jackie and Linnie.
Catherine- Not a fan or any of the Cathy/ Kate/ Katie variants.
Madeline- Don't love the idea of Maddie, I think it sounds a little bratty. (no rhyme intended)
Caroline- I like Carrie, but not as a nickname. Don't like Lina either.
Genevieve- I guess Gen/ Gennie isn't so bad, but Genevieve is too pretty to not use.
Nicolette- Absolutely detest Nikki.
Gabrielle- Don't like Gabby... I know too many I don't like.
Seraphina- She couldn't be called Sera because it's too close to my name, but Fi isn't bad. I'm afraid she'll be called Sera though.
WDYT? If I don't like the nn, should I just rule these names out completely? Would you? Any names you hate the nicknames for?
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I think you would need to have an alternative nickname in mind and push that from the start e.g. Gabrielle could be Brie or Elle. Otherwise people will automatically shorten it to the standard.
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I'd put it in the middle
nobody ever shortens middle names! And then you can gaze upon it in its full unshortened glory.
nobody ever shortens middle names! And then you can gaze upon it in its full unshortened glory.
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Depends on if there was an alternate nickname I did like. I have a friend Caroline "Charlie," and Nicolette could use "Cole". (I hate Nicole, so I tend to say my middle name is Cole.)
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I'd still do it. People don't necessarily go by a nn. My dh is James, always has been. True, there have been a few who assume he's called Jim, however, that sort of thing can be easily corrected. I've even known people with three to four syllable names who had no nn as well as people with one syllable names having one. Having said all that, there's always the chance that the child or the child's friends could use a nn.
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I probably wouldn't, if the nicknames are really common.
For example, Madeline - probably 90% of people called Madeline go by the nickname Maddy, so it would be very hard to avoid. I think people would assume that she went by the nickname Maddy, because it is so common.
On the other hand, Genevieve is quite unusual, and Gennie is therefore not an "assumed" nickname. Most people would not just assume that she went by Gennie.
Therefore, it depends on which name you want to use, how common it is, and how common the nickname is. I don't think you would have a problem with Genevieve (Evie is an alternative nickname as well), Gabrielle (how about Ellie?) or Seraphina.
For example, Madeline - probably 90% of people called Madeline go by the nickname Maddy, so it would be very hard to avoid. I think people would assume that she went by the nickname Maddy, because it is so common.
On the other hand, Genevieve is quite unusual, and Gennie is therefore not an "assumed" nickname. Most people would not just assume that she went by Gennie.
Therefore, it depends on which name you want to use, how common it is, and how common the nickname is. I don't think you would have a problem with Genevieve (Evie is an alternative nickname as well), Gabrielle (how about Ellie?) or Seraphina.
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I do like Evie and Ellie. I see your point, thanks!
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People do tend to always assume that Madison / Madeline will inevitably become Maddie but I can tell you from experience I have NEVER gone by a nickname (except for Mads on a few occasions but only ever by my friends in informal situations). My aunts use to call me Maddie as a sort of term of endearment but they are the ONLY ones allowed to do so. So I don't think it's necessary to rule them out entirely but some may be more of a struggle than others
Seraphina is the one I'd think you have the most trouble with... mostly because it's 4 syllables and is just asking to be shorted to Sera.
Catherine, Madeline, Caroline and Gabrielle would be fairly easy to do without a NN I think.
Samantha, Jacqueline, Genevieve, and Nicolette (have you considered Colette as a NN for this one?) may be a bit tougher but still doable with enough diligence.
I'd still do it if I REALLY loved a name but I'd still be concerned about my child WANTING to go by a nickname I disliked
Seraphina is the one I'd think you have the most trouble with... mostly because it's 4 syllables and is just asking to be shorted to Sera.
Catherine, Madeline, Caroline and Gabrielle would be fairly easy to do without a NN I think.
Samantha, Jacqueline, Genevieve, and Nicolette (have you considered Colette as a NN for this one?) may be a bit tougher but still doable with enough diligence.
I'd still do it if I REALLY loved a name but I'd still be concerned about my child WANTING to go by a nickname I disliked
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I don't like Colette as a nickname because I think it's a name in itself. It's not really a nickname, just a different name. Also, the part I love most about it is the Nic part lol. I'd be okay with her going by Nic, just not Nikki.
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It depends on the length of the name. If it happened to be 3+ syllables and a nickname seemed inevitable, then no, I'd use it as a middle name instead of a first name.
I think Genevieve would be fine without a nickname. The only Genevieve I knew personally only went by Genevieve as far as I know.
I think Genevieve would be fine without a nickname. The only Genevieve I knew personally only went by Genevieve as far as I know.
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Probably not
I think a longer name would undoubtedly get shortened by various people throughout the child's life, or the child him/herself might even prefer a nickname. If I disliked all the nicknames I don't think I'd use the name.
I think a longer name would undoubtedly get shortened by various people throughout the child's life, or the child him/herself might even prefer a nickname. If I disliked all the nicknames I don't think I'd use the name.
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If I was you I would eliminate Samantha and Jacqueline. For the longer names you might be able to find an alternative nn you like.
Catherine - Catherine is short enough to not need a nickname
Madeline - Madeline is three syllables, so Maddie might be harder to avoid.
Caroline - What about Line, Caro, or Callie?
Genevieve - What about Vieve, Viva, or Genna?
Nicolette - What about Nico or Lettie?
Gabrielle - What about Elle, Ellie, Ella, Bri, or Brielle?
Seraphina - What about Phi of Phina?
One of my favorite names is Alice, but sometimes I wonder if people would call her Allie, and I don't like Allie. I have the same problem with Julia, but I don't mind Julie as much.
Catherine - Catherine is short enough to not need a nickname
Madeline - Madeline is three syllables, so Maddie might be harder to avoid.
Caroline - What about Line, Caro, or Callie?
Genevieve - What about Vieve, Viva, or Genna?
Nicolette - What about Nico or Lettie?
Gabrielle - What about Elle, Ellie, Ella, Bri, or Brielle?
Seraphina - What about Phi of Phina?
One of my favorite names is Alice, but sometimes I wonder if people would call her Allie, and I don't like Allie. I have the same problem with Julia, but I don't mind Julie as much.
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I don't think you'll have a problem with Alice. I think it's short enough that a nickname wouldn't be automatic. Julia on the other hand... Julie or Jules might be unavoidable.
I don't like Phi or Phina, but people have been suggesting Sephy and Raphy, which aren't bad. I'd never use Nico on a girl, as I would never use any name that ended in 'o' on a girl.
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For the record, I wouldn't use Nico on a girl either. :)
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Yes.
I've looked after kids called Katharine, William, Samuel, Olivia, Nicholas and Madeline who ALWAYS went by their full name. And this is in Australia, where we are genetically wired to shorten things as much as possible. So if they can manage it.
The only time I think its unavoidable is if the kid themselves chooses to go by that nickname when they are older. Not much you can do about that. But otherwise, I'd just always correct people. It's your kids name. My stepsister's name is Ceridwen, but she asks everyone to call her Ceri. Now Ceridwen is one of my favourite names, and I don't like Ceri- find it very run of the mill blah. But I always make the effort to call her Ceri, because no matter what I like, it's HER name. And I think it's quite rude to do otherwise.
I think the hardest ones to avoid are the ones where the nn is the first syllable- eg Samantha/Sam. It's almost automatic. But again, if William can avoid Will...
Carrie for Caroline doens'tseem automatic to me at all.
Every Genevieve I've known (all 3 of them, lol) has always gon by Genevieve. There's also Evie, but I agree...Genevieve is so pretty.
Seraphina...how about Sephy?
I think, in your case, if theres a nickname that you like/don;t mind, I'd install that early on and prempt the ones you hate. Otherwise, I'd just stick to my guns and stick to the full name. Eventually people will get it!
I've looked after kids called Katharine, William, Samuel, Olivia, Nicholas and Madeline who ALWAYS went by their full name. And this is in Australia, where we are genetically wired to shorten things as much as possible. So if they can manage it.
The only time I think its unavoidable is if the kid themselves chooses to go by that nickname when they are older. Not much you can do about that. But otherwise, I'd just always correct people. It's your kids name. My stepsister's name is Ceridwen, but she asks everyone to call her Ceri. Now Ceridwen is one of my favourite names, and I don't like Ceri- find it very run of the mill blah. But I always make the effort to call her Ceri, because no matter what I like, it's HER name. And I think it's quite rude to do otherwise.
I think the hardest ones to avoid are the ones where the nn is the first syllable- eg Samantha/Sam. It's almost automatic. But again, if William can avoid Will...
Carrie for Caroline doens'tseem automatic to me at all.
Every Genevieve I've known (all 3 of them, lol) has always gon by Genevieve. There's also Evie, but I agree...Genevieve is so pretty.
Seraphina...how about Sephy?
I think, in your case, if theres a nickname that you like/don;t mind, I'd install that early on and prempt the ones you hate. Otherwise, I'd just stick to my guns and stick to the full name. Eventually people will get it!
This message was edited 5/15/2011, 2:01 PM
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I'm not sure if I'm honest, because I think that while the child is still young, people should respect what the parent/s want their child to be known as.
My cousin's son is called Nicolas, and she doesn't want his name shortened to Nick/Nicky etc, so I only ever call him Nicolas. When people have shortened his name to Nick/Nicky, my cousin is quick to correct them and say, "we only call him Nicolas." If he wants to go by a short form when he's older, then that's his choice, but my cousin and her DH prefer to call him Nicolas so that's what we're calling him at the moment.
I would never be so rude as to continue to shorten a child's name, if the parent had told me they didn't want the name shortened. I would hope others do the same.
My cousin's son is called Nicolas, and she doesn't want his name shortened to Nick/Nicky etc, so I only ever call him Nicolas. When people have shortened his name to Nick/Nicky, my cousin is quick to correct them and say, "we only call him Nicolas." If he wants to go by a short form when he's older, then that's his choice, but my cousin and her DH prefer to call him Nicolas so that's what we're calling him at the moment.
I would never be so rude as to continue to shorten a child's name, if the parent had told me they didn't want the name shortened. I would hope others do the same.
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I would. I'd just make my own up.
I love the name Victory but I don't like Vickie or Tory. But I think it's too unreasonable to expect everyone to call her Victory so I decided that Vi is an ok nickname, even cute! So I would be ok with people calling her that.
Samantha- It's not that long but if people insist, what about Mandy?
Jacqueline- I love this name! It's a classic. People will just have to deal with that. or call her J or something. But nothing beats Jacqueline.
Catherine- I prefer it with a K but I know someone named Catherine who goes by Catherine.
Madeline- I don't like Maddy either. What about Del or Adel or something like that?
Caroline- I love it that way it is.
Genevieve- Gen, Gennie, Genna, Vivi, Eve, etc.
Nicolette- I absolutely detest Nikki as well. I know someone who is named and called Nicolette.
Gabrielle- Oh I love Gabrielle! I like it so much more than Gabriella. Well you can call her Elle (as in the magazine)or you can call her Brie, that's cute!
Seraphina- Call her fi or call her Seraphina.
So I'm just saying that if you don't like the popular nicknames get creative (not kr8tiv!!!) and use some uncommon ones. I hope that works for you :)
I love the name Victory but I don't like Vickie or Tory. But I think it's too unreasonable to expect everyone to call her Victory so I decided that Vi is an ok nickname, even cute! So I would be ok with people calling her that.
Samantha- It's not that long but if people insist, what about Mandy?
Jacqueline- I love this name! It's a classic. People will just have to deal with that. or call her J or something. But nothing beats Jacqueline.
Catherine- I prefer it with a K but I know someone named Catherine who goes by Catherine.
Madeline- I don't like Maddy either. What about Del or Adel or something like that?
Caroline- I love it that way it is.
Genevieve- Gen, Gennie, Genna, Vivi, Eve, etc.
Nicolette- I absolutely detest Nikki as well. I know someone who is named and called Nicolette.
Gabrielle- Oh I love Gabrielle! I like it so much more than Gabriella. Well you can call her Elle (as in the magazine)or you can call her Brie, that's cute!
Seraphina- Call her fi or call her Seraphina.
So I'm just saying that if you don't like the popular nicknames get creative (not kr8tiv!!!) and use some uncommon ones. I hope that works for you :)
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Thanks, there are some good suggestions here. Lol, I'd never get kre8yve!
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I dont know. I love the name Harrison, but the thought of anyone calling him Harry makes me cringe.
I guess you could just tell people not to call them that, if it slips because
so many of your names are natural to shorten like Sam or Sammy for Samantha
I guess you could just tell people not to call them that, if it slips because
so many of your names are natural to shorten like Sam or Sammy for Samantha
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If I love the name, I would use the name without nicknames. My dad very firmly told relatives that my sister was Amanda, NOT Mandy when she was born and she never was a Mandy. If it is a name I only really like or am on the fence with, I would use it as a middle name to avoid nicknames. Victoria & Jacqueline are those kind of names for me.
I know a Caroline that does not go by a nickname.
I know a Caroline that does not go by a nickname.
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Probably not
...not if it was something I really hated. I have cousins called Caroline and Catherine who've managed to escape nicknames for nearly 30 years, and a father called Charles who is never Chas or Charlie - but they've had to constantly insist, and I couldn't be bothered with that, especially if the child itself liked the horrible nn.
...not if it was something I really hated. I have cousins called Caroline and Catherine who've managed to escape nicknames for nearly 30 years, and a father called Charles who is never Chas or Charlie - but they've had to constantly insist, and I couldn't be bothered with that, especially if the child itself liked the horrible nn.
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Mhm, if the child liked the nickname, I'd have to relent.
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Samantha -- I don't really like the name. However I like the nn Sammie.
Jacqueline -- I have never liked this.
Catherine -- I like it. I like the nns.
Madeline -- I like it even though it's so common. Maddie is OK.
Caroline -- Oh, I LOOOOOVE this! I don't like Carrie though.
Genevieve -- No.
Nicolette -- I detest Nikki as well. I don't like the full name either.
Gabrielle -- No. Gabby, no.
Seraphina -- No. Sera, it's OK.
I'd say it really depends on the nn. Most of these--the ones I like anyway, haha--I wouldn't use a nn.
Jacqueline -- I have never liked this.
Catherine -- I like it. I like the nns.
Madeline -- I like it even though it's so common. Maddie is OK.
Caroline -- Oh, I LOOOOOVE this! I don't like Carrie though.
Genevieve -- No.
Nicolette -- I detest Nikki as well. I don't like the full name either.
Gabrielle -- No. Gabby, no.
Seraphina -- No. Sera, it's OK.
I'd say it really depends on the nn. Most of these--the ones I like anyway, haha--I wouldn't use a nn.
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I'd use it as a middle name
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If the nickname wasn't my favorite but I was okay with it I would still use it. I know of plenty of people who go by their full names without being called by nicknames. However if your child decided they preferred the nickname that would be something you would have to accept and deal with accordingly.
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I am a person who really likes longer full names with the option of calling my child as nn as well, so, I probably wouldn't still go with these names. Even if I didn't call them by these nicknames, then you know somebody is going to. I guess it really depends on how much that bothers you.
I like the name August but dislike Gus and that bothers me because I really couldn't see using it on a son without a nickname. My own son's nickname has grown on me. I didn't love it at first because of bad connotations I guess. His name is Isaac nn Ike (or often Ikey) and I liked saying Ike but associated it with Ike Turner. My husband loved it though and it rhymes with his name-Mike (Mike & Ike, people love that, but it wasn't planned!). It has certainly grown on me though, it's kind of old man edgy and cool and he stands out by his nickname, even if we meet any other Isaacs they never have that nickname. So anyway, nicknames can grow on you I guess, esp. when it's your kid!
I like the name August but dislike Gus and that bothers me because I really couldn't see using it on a son without a nickname. My own son's nickname has grown on me. I didn't love it at first because of bad connotations I guess. His name is Isaac nn Ike (or often Ikey) and I liked saying Ike but associated it with Ike Turner. My husband loved it though and it rhymes with his name-Mike (Mike & Ike, people love that, but it wasn't planned!). It has certainly grown on me though, it's kind of old man edgy and cool and he stands out by his nickname, even if we meet any other Isaacs they never have that nickname. So anyway, nicknames can grow on you I guess, esp. when it's your kid!
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I love Ike now lol! There is a baseball player who plays for my team (the New York Mets) who is named Ike Davis. He's single-handedly changed my opinion on Ike. His name is Isaac too, but no one calls him that now.
True, I think there is some potential for some of these nicknames to grow on me.
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I don't think you'll have a problem with that one.
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Hm. I like the name Demetria tons, and really hate Demi. If I were to use it, I would have to call her Mia or Deitra, basically all of the time, and from the start, just to be sure to preempt Demi. I think that if I could not use a preemptive nickname I really liked, and I hated all the nicknames terribly, I'd just not use the name.
I feel the same as you about Madeline and Maddie. There are a lot of names I like the nicknames for, but not the longer names. Not very many that are the other way around. I guess Francis too - I struck it from our list because my husband seemed to feel it was not masculine, and he would have become a Frank or Frankie. I think those are cute enough, but I am not comfy with them. So, goodby to Francis. =(
Anyway, the most control you're ever going to have is over what YOU call her. She'll be in control otherwise. So yeah, I think you probably have to rule these names out if the nicknames are really that much against your grain. But you could name her an un-nickable long name, and she might still manage to earn or derive a nickname that she preferred and you hated. My daughter calls herself Peggy all the time and I have no idea where she got it, it has nothing to do with her name (and she doesn't dislike her own name, either). It drives me up the wall, but what can you do.
I feel the same as you about Madeline and Maddie. There are a lot of names I like the nicknames for, but not the longer names. Not very many that are the other way around. I guess Francis too - I struck it from our list because my husband seemed to feel it was not masculine, and he would have become a Frank or Frankie. I think those are cute enough, but I am not comfy with them. So, goodby to Francis. =(
Anyway, the most control you're ever going to have is over what YOU call her. She'll be in control otherwise. So yeah, I think you probably have to rule these names out if the nicknames are really that much against your grain. But you could name her an un-nickable long name, and she might still manage to earn or derive a nickname that she preferred and you hated. My daughter calls herself Peggy all the time and I have no idea where she got it, it has nothing to do with her name (and she doesn't dislike her own name, either). It drives me up the wall, but what can you do.
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Yes.
I actually don't mind having kids go by the full name. I want it to be their choice if they want to go by a nickname, not their parents'. For example, my sister is Nicole, and nobody would dare call her Nikki.
One example I have is Christina. I don't like any of its nicknames (especially not Tina), but I like the name Christina by itself. Same with Victoria. Vicky is alright. I don't like Tori, but I love Victoria by itself.
I actually don't mind having kids go by the full name. I want it to be their choice if they want to go by a nickname, not their parents'. For example, my sister is Nicole, and nobody would dare call her Nikki.
One example I have is Christina. I don't like any of its nicknames (especially not Tina), but I like the name Christina by itself. Same with Victoria. Vicky is alright. I don't like Tori, but I love Victoria by itself.
This message was edited 5/15/2011, 10:07 AM
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No. I have ruled out names because I don't like the nicknames. There is no way to avoid them. Especially as they get older. They are going to be used.
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Catherine and Edward
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No.
It does not work for a parent to try and force people to not shorten a name with a common nickname. My parents had this problem. My name is Allison and my brother is Nicholas, and they never wanted us to go by nicknames. My dad HATES Nick. People automatically try Ally and Nick. I hate Ally, so I correct people. (I get Al a lot from people who don't know me that well, which I don't mind, but most of my nicknames are based on my maiden name). Nicholas doesn't mind Nick, so by now, he is Nick to everyone except our family.
I would rule out everything but Genevieve, Caroline, and maybe Catherine. I know a few Carolines, Carolyns, and Catherines (or other spellings) who have successfully gone by their full names (although I also know a young Catherine who insists on being Kate despite her mother's wishes). The one Genevieve I know is mostly Genevieve, occasionally Gen. I think that's one that for some reason doesn't get shortened. The main issue, though, is that as a parent you can't control whether your child will prefer a nickname, so you may as well find full names whose nicknames are not detestable to you.
As for me, I hate the nickname Matt. I like Matthew and Matthias, but wouldn't use either as a first name because I know he'd get called Matt (even if he didn't like it! I have a friend named Matthew who even corrects people and still gets called Matt).
It does not work for a parent to try and force people to not shorten a name with a common nickname. My parents had this problem. My name is Allison and my brother is Nicholas, and they never wanted us to go by nicknames. My dad HATES Nick. People automatically try Ally and Nick. I hate Ally, so I correct people. (I get Al a lot from people who don't know me that well, which I don't mind, but most of my nicknames are based on my maiden name). Nicholas doesn't mind Nick, so by now, he is Nick to everyone except our family.
I would rule out everything but Genevieve, Caroline, and maybe Catherine. I know a few Carolines, Carolyns, and Catherines (or other spellings) who have successfully gone by their full names (although I also know a young Catherine who insists on being Kate despite her mother's wishes). The one Genevieve I know is mostly Genevieve, occasionally Gen. I think that's one that for some reason doesn't get shortened. The main issue, though, is that as a parent you can't control whether your child will prefer a nickname, so you may as well find full names whose nicknames are not detestable to you.
As for me, I hate the nickname Matt. I like Matthew and Matthias, but wouldn't use either as a first name because I know he'd get called Matt (even if he didn't like it! I have a friend named Matthew who even corrects people and still gets called Matt).
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I see that more and more, the correcting thing, I mean. There is a baseball player who plays for the team I follow who is named Daniel, and insists on being called Daniel. The announcers know this and never call him Dan/Danny, so the fan base, in return never calls him Dan/ Danny.
But I don't see friends and classmates being as forgiving. Although, I grew up with a Nicolette, and she was occasionally called Nic, but never Nikki. I think if the child introduces herself by her full name, people will go along with it, but if she chooses a nickname... all hope is lost lol.
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No, not if you HATED the nickname.
If you just disliked it but could live with it, then yes, but if you cringe and want to puke or die everytime you hear it then no. Because, what if you're child decided they wanted to go by that nickname? Will you cringe or puke everytime?
If you just disliked it but could live with it, then yes, but if you cringe and want to puke or die everytime you hear it then no. Because, what if you're child decided they wanted to go by that nickname? Will you cringe or puke everytime?
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True, that's what I'm worried about.
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I don't think I would. People say you could just use the full version, but I love using nicknames, so I don't think it would work.
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I once heard you should pick a name by the nickname you like. Although while the child is young you could just tell people no her name is Samantha. However you really won't have control of a nickname people may give your child. For this reason there are certain names I would not use because of this factor to consider. I have to agree with you on the nicknames for certain ones. Although I guess if you gave the nickname rather then friends or family iniciating it then it would take more of a stance.
Samantha- I agree with you. I just don't like the unisex sound of Sam or Sammie
Jacqueline- agree with you. Jacqueline such a pretty name. Never heard of people using Linnie as a nickname.
Catherine- again in total agreence with you.
Madeline- Agree about Maddy. I think the Madeline in Kate + 8 ruined the name. In addition the MAD part of it turns me off.
Caroline- Never heard Carrie as a nickname for this. Actually the only nickname I know for this name is Caro
Genevieve- I love this name. I also like the nickname Eve for it.
Nicolette- Agree with you
Gabrielle- Gabby is horrible it sounds like someone who talks alot.
Seraphina- Raffy is actually kinda cute. I like this name before Ben Aflect as it is a family name for me. However it seems a little over the top.
Samantha- I agree with you. I just don't like the unisex sound of Sam or Sammie
Jacqueline- agree with you. Jacqueline such a pretty name. Never heard of people using Linnie as a nickname.
Catherine- again in total agreence with you.
Madeline- Agree about Maddy. I think the Madeline in Kate + 8 ruined the name. In addition the MAD part of it turns me off.
Caroline- Never heard Carrie as a nickname for this. Actually the only nickname I know for this name is Caro
Genevieve- I love this name. I also like the nickname Eve for it.
Nicolette- Agree with you
Gabrielle- Gabby is horrible it sounds like someone who talks alot.
Seraphina- Raffy is actually kinda cute. I like this name before Ben Aflect as it is a family name for me. However it seems a little over the top.
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You could use them as a middle name. I think if you pick a different nickname and inforce that it won't be much of a problem to use a different nickname as long as there is one because people will want to shorten them. Of course if you keep insisting they use the full name it can work.
Samantha - you could use Ann (samANtha)or Mandy??
Catherine - Rina?
My grandmother is Genevieve and she goes by Jenny. Eve, Vi, Evie
Nicolette - Colette, Colie / Coley "cole - EE", Ette, Etta
Gabrielle - Bri, Elle, Brielle, Abi, Brie, Ella
Seraphina - just insist on Fi
Don't rule them out they are way to beautiful not to use. If they really worry you use them as a middle name.
For me it is:
Charlotte - Hate Lottie, Char sounds like Cher, Charlie is okay but not girly, it doesn't seem to do Charlotte justice, Carly would be okay but I know too many I don't like.
Victoria - Tori may be okay. Vicky is awful.
Abigail - Abby is too close to my cousin's duaghter Addy, and I have a cousin Gail, plus I don't really like the name Gail.
Margaret - I have a cousin Margie (I have a lot of cousins), most the other nicknames are okay but I can't find one I really love.
Miranda - I don't like Mira or Randi
Natasha - not keen on Tasha
Samantha - you could use Ann (samANtha)or Mandy??
Catherine - Rina?
My grandmother is Genevieve and she goes by Jenny. Eve, Vi, Evie
Nicolette - Colette, Colie / Coley "cole - EE", Ette, Etta
Gabrielle - Bri, Elle, Brielle, Abi, Brie, Ella
Seraphina - just insist on Fi
Don't rule them out they are way to beautiful not to use. If they really worry you use them as a middle name.
For me it is:
Charlotte - Hate Lottie, Char sounds like Cher, Charlie is okay but not girly, it doesn't seem to do Charlotte justice, Carly would be okay but I know too many I don't like.
Victoria - Tori may be okay. Vicky is awful.
Abigail - Abby is too close to my cousin's duaghter Addy, and I have a cousin Gail, plus I don't really like the name Gail.
Margaret - I have a cousin Margie (I have a lot of cousins), most the other nicknames are okay but I can't find one I really love.
Miranda - I don't like Mira or Randi
Natasha - not keen on Tasha
This message was edited 5/15/2011, 5:57 AM
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You can only control what you do. Most people follow the lead of the parent. At least while the child is relatively young. If I really loved a name I would still use it and make my family call her/him by the full name. That's all you can really do. You have some nice names picked out, but they all have bad nicknames. If I didn't completely love the name I wouldn't use it. If I absolutely loved the name, I would call the child by that name, try to get everyone to follow along (including said child) and put up with those who call that child by nicknames.
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That's exactly what I would do. But I'd absolutely hate if my future daughter was called Nicolette her whole life, and due to a brief bit of rebellion in middle school where she called herself Nikki, she'd be called Nikki the rest of her life. I guess it'd be up to her though. I'd call her by her full name no matter what.
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I wouldn't. I would either chunk the name or force the nicknames to grow on me. I really dislike when parents (or even the people themselves) mandate that other people MUST call them a full name and never a shortened version, and I do my best to disrespect these wishes. :)
With Genevieve, I think people would naturally call her Gen/Gennie part of the time but also call her Genevieve a lot.
On my part, I still don't like Ernie for Ernest.
With Genevieve, I think people would naturally call her Gen/Gennie part of the time but also call her Genevieve a lot.
On my part, I still don't like Ernie for Ernest.
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Oh gosh yes.
My mom had a student named Princess Diana when I was a kid. Her parents wouldn't let anyone call her just Princess or just Diana, it had to be Princess Diana. It annoyed me so much (and it does no matter what the name is).
My mom had a student named Princess Diana when I was a kid. Her parents wouldn't let anyone call her just Princess or just Diana, it had to be Princess Diana. It annoyed me so much (and it does no matter what the name is).
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LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL
awesome.
My mom had a student named Sir Stephen with a similar situation.
Also a Lover Goddess.
awesome.
My mom had a student named Sir Stephen with a similar situation.
Also a Lover Goddess.
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Wow, really?
Why would you go out of your way to disrespect someone?????
I'm a fan of nicknames but in general I find them really lazy. You're not calling a Nicholas "Nick" as a social surrender, you're doing it because you are a) as you stated, purposefully disregarding his given name or b) too lazy/busy/careless to pronounce the rest of it.
If I introduce myself to a stranger as "Madyson" and they try to refer to me as "Mady" I will ignore them. I will introduce myself (and any future children of mine) as the name I wish to be called and I think it's extremely rude and selfish for anyone to take it upon themselves to impose their own nicknames on anyone else.
Why would you go out of your way to disrespect someone?????
I'm a fan of nicknames but in general I find them really lazy. You're not calling a Nicholas "Nick" as a social surrender, you're doing it because you are a) as you stated, purposefully disregarding his given name or b) too lazy/busy/careless to pronounce the rest of it.
If I introduce myself to a stranger as "Madyson" and they try to refer to me as "Mady" I will ignore them. I will introduce myself (and any future children of mine) as the name I wish to be called and I think it's extremely rude and selfish for anyone to take it upon themselves to impose their own nicknames on anyone else.
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I'd call you Maddy.
edit: Actually, that's not realistic. If you got really upset about it I would call you Madyson. But I'd probably slip up often, and I'd think you were really uptight. My friend Richard insists on being Richard, because "Rick is [his] dad." I find this understandable but still annoying, though he's not so uptight in other ways, and I slip up and call him Rick a lot.
It's not lazy. I just don't think people have the right to be addressed with exactly the precise string of syllables that they demand. It's such a tiny, arbitrary thing to be uptight about. Why should you care if people call you Maddy instead of Madyson? It makes literally no difference at all.
I nickname people as soon as I get comfortable with them. It's symbolic of a give-and-take that I enjoy in my acquaintanceships. Demanding what to be called is very no-give.
edit: Actually, that's not realistic. If you got really upset about it I would call you Madyson. But I'd probably slip up often, and I'd think you were really uptight. My friend Richard insists on being Richard, because "Rick is [his] dad." I find this understandable but still annoying, though he's not so uptight in other ways, and I slip up and call him Rick a lot.
It's not lazy. I just don't think people have the right to be addressed with exactly the precise string of syllables that they demand. It's such a tiny, arbitrary thing to be uptight about. Why should you care if people call you Maddy instead of Madyson? It makes literally no difference at all.
I nickname people as soon as I get comfortable with them. It's symbolic of a give-and-take that I enjoy in my acquaintanceships. Demanding what to be called is very no-give.
This message was edited 5/16/2011, 8:38 AM
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Here's an example of why you're being inconsiderate...
If you had a transgender friend who was once Adrian but is now female and wishes to be called Adriana, would you say that extra syllable is arbitrary? No, because being called Adrian is not an accurate reflection of who they are. The same applies for a Madeline who wishes to be called so, and not Maddie.
I understand that it's not your intent to be disrespectful, and that you see nicknames as a sign of closeness, which they are. But if a person deliberately asks not to be called by a nickname, you are intentionally disrespecting them by not obliging.
If you had a transgender friend who was once Adrian but is now female and wishes to be called Adriana, would you say that extra syllable is arbitrary? No, because being called Adrian is not an accurate reflection of who they are. The same applies for a Madeline who wishes to be called so, and not Maddie.
I understand that it's not your intent to be disrespectful, and that you see nicknames as a sign of closeness, which they are. But if a person deliberately asks not to be called by a nickname, you are intentionally disrespecting them by not obliging.
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Loool not the same thing.
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How?
How can you consider yourself a name enthusiast when you feel that the way syllables are arranged and said in a name is "such a tiny, arbitrary thing" and that a person doesn't have the right to be called by the name they answer to??
How can you consider yourself a name enthusiast when you feel that the way syllables are arranged and said in a name is "such a tiny, arbitrary thing" and that a person doesn't have the right to be called by the name they answer to??
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Agreed.
This message was edited 5/16/2011, 6:55 PM
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People call me Rach all the time, and someone asked me if I was bothered by it, once. I didn't know what to say, because it was such a trivial matter that I hadn't given it any thought.
We all feel differently, though. Some people don't like nicknames, and they have the right to be called whatever they wish.
We all feel differently, though. Some people don't like nicknames, and they have the right to be called whatever they wish.
This message was edited 5/16/2011, 12:09 PM
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I feel like what they have the right to is to dislike when people call them nicknames. Not the right not to be called them.
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I just don't think people have the right to be addressed with exactly the precise string of syllables that they demand
But it's THEIR name, not yours. I had a girl at camp named Margaret, not Maggie, just Margaret. It would have really selfish of us to put our feelings before her's and call her Maggie. The exact same thing goes for the girls named Izzy and Maddy. As much as I would have loved to call them Isabelle and Madeline, I called them what they asked to be called.
Whether I like a name or not, I always call someone by the name they are most comfortable with. I would hate to give them the message that I didn't care about their feelings.
But it's THEIR name, not yours. I had a girl at camp named Margaret, not Maggie, just Margaret. It would have really selfish of us to put our feelings before her's and call her Maggie. The exact same thing goes for the girls named Izzy and Maddy. As much as I would have loved to call them Isabelle and Madeline, I called them what they asked to be called.
Whether I like a name or not, I always call someone by the name they are most comfortable with. I would hate to give them the message that I didn't care about their feelings.
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But it's THEIR name, not yours.
I feel like once you name someone something, it becomes common property in a way.
I also feel this way about music, incidentally. I think performer's feelings, in general, should override composers' intentions. I guess it's just a different worldview. I just don't think people have a right to as much autonomy as the current paradigm would have them think.
I feel like once you name someone something, it becomes common property in a way.
I also feel this way about music, incidentally. I think performer's feelings, in general, should override composers' intentions. I guess it's just a different worldview. I just don't think people have a right to as much autonomy as the current paradigm would have them think.
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THANK YOU!
I too was particularly disgusted by the part of beethoven's reply that you quoted.
That logic leads to, "Well, Nevaeh, I think your name is stupid so I'm going to call you Eva instead, whether you like it or not - because you don't have the right to go by the name you were given."
*FACEPALM*
I too was particularly disgusted by the part of beethoven's reply that you quoted.
That logic leads to, "Well, Nevaeh, I think your name is stupid so I'm going to call you Eva instead, whether you like it or not - because you don't have the right to go by the name you were given."
*FACEPALM*
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And I'd ignore you.
It DOES make a difference because Mady is NOT my name. Never has been never will be. So people don't have the right to be called by their own name???? That is preposterous! What the hell is the point of agonizing over what name to give your child if some rude and selfish people in society are going to intentionally eff it up anyway?? Imposing a casual nickname on a close friend in one thing. Purposefully calling someone by a nickname they don't want to be called by is just spiteful and totally out of line.
Thank the heavens none of my friends/acquaintances take pages from your (seriously misguided) book
It DOES make a difference because Mady is NOT my name. Never has been never will be. So people don't have the right to be called by their own name???? That is preposterous! What the hell is the point of agonizing over what name to give your child if some rude and selfish people in society are going to intentionally eff it up anyway?? Imposing a casual nickname on a close friend in one thing. Purposefully calling someone by a nickname they don't want to be called by is just spiteful and totally out of line.
Thank the heavens none of my friends/acquaintances take pages from your (seriously misguided) book
This message was edited 5/16/2011, 11:16 AM
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I mean if I didn't know you I probably wouldn't call you a nickname, but I also wouldn't talk to you much then either...
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I agree that insisting on a nickname when that's not what a person wants to be called IS disrespectful, but why would using a nickname be 'lazy'? They're just variants of a name, and a lot of people like going by them. I wouldn't say they were lazy. :/
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Like I said, I'm a fan of nicknames. I have absolutely nothing against them. Obviously something like Bobby for Robert isn't "lazy" because they have the same amount of syllables and take the same amount of time to say. A shortening of Bobby to Bob, however, I see as a way of cutting corners.... it's like saying "legit" instead of "legitimate".... it's just a way of moving more quickly through conversation. Maybe hurried would be a more accurate term than lazy but it often seems to me that people just don't want to make the effort to pronounce the rest of the name. And I'm not afraid to admit that oftentimes I'm one of just such people when I call my boyfriend, Evan, "Ev." I'm not trying to rule it as bad, just an observation
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But it's SO nice to have your kid have a one-syllable nickname. Do you know how many times a day I have to say "BEN?!" Plus it's much easier for him to learn over Benjamin. He can read "Ben" already, and he's not 3 yet. So I'm a fan of the short simple nn option.
Also, there are more reasons to have a nn than for something shorter. They can be used to show affection, too.
Not arguing, btw. I understand being somewhat against nicknames. It is refreshing to hear full names used that most often are used with nicknames! I just am quite pro-nickname because my name doesn't really have one, and I've always wished it did. I wanted to be one of the kids who got to tell the teacher what he/she wanted to be called when my full name got called on the first day of class! :)
Also, there are more reasons to have a nn than for something shorter. They can be used to show affection, too.
Not arguing, btw. I understand being somewhat against nicknames. It is refreshing to hear full names used that most often are used with nicknames! I just am quite pro-nickname because my name doesn't really have one, and I've always wished it did. I wanted to be one of the kids who got to tell the teacher what he/she wanted to be called when my full name got called on the first day of class! :)
This message was edited 5/16/2011, 1:36 PM
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But I'm not against nicknames! Most of my favorites actually HAVE one syllable nicknames I plan on using. And like I said, I myself often refer to my boyfriend as "Ev" instead of Evan. I'm just not keen on others imposing their own nicknames on people when they never intended on having one
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Ah, the ol' Supermarket Test. Never fails. :)
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I agree that it is kind of snobby to demand people to call your child by their whole name. But on the other hand, they didn't name her the nickname, her name is the full name. Every person has a right to be called by their birth name.
Also, that's how I feel about Genevieve too.
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It doesn't bother me when people prefer to go by their full names, but when parents insist on it even when the kid is old enough to choose for him/herself? That bugs me. Especially if the kid doesn't give a crap if you call them by a nickname or not.
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Agreed.
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I agree.
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I really dislike when parents (or even the people themselves) mandate that other people MUST call them a full name and never a shortened version
Why? If I've named my child Nicholas I've named him Nicholas and not Nick. Why is it okey to rename someone just because you can't say a three syllable name instead of a one syllable name? I've never been called by any nickname (outside of home) and it confuses me when people call me by a nickname because that's not me/my name. I would never automatically shorten a name because, yes it is disrespectful.
Anyway, I do my best to never call anyone by a nickname so I guess I'm no better than you. :)
Why? If I've named my child Nicholas I've named him Nicholas and not Nick. Why is it okey to rename someone just because you can't say a three syllable name instead of a one syllable name? I've never been called by any nickname (outside of home) and it confuses me when people call me by a nickname because that's not me/my name. I would never automatically shorten a name because, yes it is disrespectful.
Anyway, I do my best to never call anyone by a nickname so I guess I'm no better than you. :)
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I guess I just think the autonomy of the individual is highly overvalued. To me nicknames are a valuable form of social surrender. I'd totally call your kid Nick. Unless I really liked him and he cried when I called him that.
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If the child is too young to decide for himself, I'd call him Nicolas because that's what his parents call him. However, if he is old enough to introduce himself as Nick, not Nicolas, I'd call him Nick.
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I haven't thought about this before, so I went through my names and picked out some that caught my attention.
Aisling -I hate the nn "Ash" on a girl.
Augusta -I hate hate hate "Gussie / Gusta" names and Aggie.
Jillian -detest Jill. Don't even get me started on Jilly.
Viviana -Can't stand just Viv or Vivi or whatever. I think it takes it from classy to snotty in an instant.
Sibylla -Sibyl is out of the question and anything that sounds like "Bill" is way way out of the question.
Augustine / Augustus -I still hate Gus names and I hate Austin and Auggie too.
Crispin / Crispus -I abhore "Cris" in any form and that's why I don't like Christo- names.
Gillespie -I don't know what they'd call him other than Gil and Gil is just highly unattractive.
Ishmael -There's a boy on TV that goes by Ish and it breaks my heart.
James- It's already a one-syllable classic name. It doesn't need Jimmy/Jamie/Jim/Jay/Jem.
Martin / Maarten / Martyn -We don't need another Mart/Marty/Tin/Tino in this world.
Oliver- Just don't like Ollie/Oli. Noll is weird.
Sebastian -Seb is funny sounding. Bas is possibly even weirder.
William -Just not a fan of Bill, Will, Billy, Willy, Liam. (Same goes for Willoughby.)
On another note, you mentioned Genevieve. Idk if you like Eve/Evie or Vi, but I know a Genevieve that uses those.
Aisling -I hate the nn "Ash" on a girl.
Augusta -I hate hate hate "Gussie / Gusta" names and Aggie.
Jillian -detest Jill. Don't even get me started on Jilly.
Viviana -Can't stand just Viv or Vivi or whatever. I think it takes it from classy to snotty in an instant.
Sibylla -Sibyl is out of the question and anything that sounds like "Bill" is way way out of the question.
Augustine / Augustus -I still hate Gus names and I hate Austin and Auggie too.
Crispin / Crispus -I abhore "Cris" in any form and that's why I don't like Christo- names.
Gillespie -I don't know what they'd call him other than Gil and Gil is just highly unattractive.
Ishmael -There's a boy on TV that goes by Ish and it breaks my heart.
James- It's already a one-syllable classic name. It doesn't need Jimmy/Jamie/Jim/Jay/Jem.
Martin / Maarten / Martyn -We don't need another Mart/Marty/Tin/Tino in this world.
Oliver- Just don't like Ollie/Oli. Noll is weird.
Sebastian -Seb is funny sounding. Bas is possibly even weirder.
William -Just not a fan of Bill, Will, Billy, Willy, Liam. (Same goes for Willoughby.)
On another note, you mentioned Genevieve. Idk if you like Eve/Evie or Vi, but I know a Genevieve that uses those.
This message was edited 5/15/2011, 2:13 AM
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Luckily, I have this problem with only one name: Thomas. I cannot stand Tom or Tommy, but I love Thomas. Ultimately, it would stop me from using it as a first name. There's always the middle name option though!
I think you could get away with Caroline. I know a few Carolines and Carolinas, and they all go by their full names.
I think you could get away with Caroline. I know a few Carolines and Carolinas, and they all go by their full names.
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I'm not a big fan of nicknames. I prefer to use the full name. I think it comes from hating my own nickname ( Nikki). I've always hated it, even though it's all my family ever calls me! I introduce myself as Nicole, but some people will shorten it anyway. Mostly to Nic, which I don't find as bad.
Anyway, I would not scrap the names you love because of potential nicknames. I hate the nickname Sof/ Soph for Sophie/ Sofia etc. And when I had my daughter I did not want her being called Sof. I detest it. We never called her that and neither has anyone else. Ever.
We called her Sofia from the start, but it developed into Fia for short. Which I like and so does she.
Anyway, I would not scrap the names you love because of potential nicknames. I hate the nickname Sof/ Soph for Sophie/ Sofia etc. And when I had my daughter I did not want her being called Sof. I detest it. We never called her that and neither has anyone else. Ever.
We called her Sofia from the start, but it developed into Fia for short. Which I like and so does she.
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I rather like Nic too in comparison to Nikki. Also, Fia is adorable!
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Aww, I like Fia for Sofia! Then again, I'm a little biased, since I'm a Fia too :)
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I mostly have that problem with boys' names - Nicholas, Christopher, etc.
I would only use them as middle names because of it. Parents actually have so little control over what their children get called by people. My friend was determined that her daughter Montana wouldn't go by a nickname, but her older sister started calling her Monty and it has now spread to others.
Some of your names I don't think have nicknames that are too obvious, e.g. Caroline, Sereaphina, but with the others I think nicknames would be likely to develop.
S xx
I would only use them as middle names because of it. Parents actually have so little control over what their children get called by people. My friend was determined that her daughter Montana wouldn't go by a nickname, but her older sister started calling her Monty and it has now spread to others.
Some of your names I don't think have nicknames that are too obvious, e.g. Caroline, Sereaphina, but with the others I think nicknames would be likely to develop.
S xx
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