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Depends on the name. Some can sit on their own; Molly, Hank, Betty, Beth, Lisa and Eliza do that well. Others like Jimmy, Tommy, Billy, Alfie, Ellie, Becky, Jess, Archie, Izzy etc don't do so well.

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Other names that do well individually are; Alex, Max, Liam, Fred, Jake, Jack, Luke, Emma and Bella

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Edit: Oh and I mostly opt for the longer versions though admittedly there's some I don't like. Harry I love, but Henry and Harold I hate. Not that I'd name my kid Harry anyway, it's too average. I'd consider using Jules over Julian, however, though I think Jules rather gets away with it for being a form of Julian rather than a nickname (though it can be and has been used as a nn). Zelda I think is another example of a name that can stand on its own and I'd use it as a middle. I'd use it as a fn if I didn't like so many more than it

This message was edited 10/30/2021, 8:11 PM

I like names with nicknames. I like the options and the option to be formal or informal.

I prefer legal names and using nicknames because it allows for more options. An Elizabeth "Betty" can always opted to be only Elizabeth later or even Eliza or Lizzy. But Betty is just stuck as Betty or Bette. I'm more about freedom of person expression in one's identity. That's a large reason why I prefer longer names, so if my kid decides they don't identify with 1 they could still have at least 1 or 2 more options to go by. Plus legal names are given more serious consideration over nickname legal names in hiring situations. I'd want to allow them the edge of seriousness. I don't think Legally Jimmy accomplishes that. *though there are exceptions of course, Molly or Hank or Harry still work as legal names. It depends on the nicknames in question most times*

This message was edited 10/25/2021, 11:08 AM

I prefer that the full name be put on the birth certificate. If you like the name Sammi go ahead and call your daughter that but use Samantha on the birth certificate.

There are a few exceptions. I think Jack, Harry, Kate, and Eliza are fine as given names.

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No to: Barbie, Cindy, Jimmy, Becky, Mindy.

I grew up with the idea of formal names and nicknames. However I think it's fine to use a nickname as the formal name. Cultures change and hopefully society will get more use to a variety of names and become a little more tolerant.

Jack, Molly, Sally, Nate, Allie are nicknames that I see as full names.

I prefer formal names, however theres a few exceptions. Like my mother is Jacqueline but has literally never gone by it, and I think Jackie is 'formal' enough.

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I like the versatility that it gives me in work. I like being Rebecca at work but Bec at home or Bev by other friends

It depends on the name. Like Sambchop mentioned, Jack and Molly seem distinct enough from John and Mary that they can stand on their own feet.

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Jimmy and Minnie sound childish and need something more distinguished to fall back on or at least to serve as another option. With James and Minerva, the kids would have more options for nicknames.

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The appeal of a name like Elizabeth is that it has a wealth of options and has associations like Elizabeth Bennet and Queen Elizabeth I. Betty isn't as flexible.

I think it can be fine, I don’t have a problem with it. Whatever name you intend to call the child, should be the name on the birth certificate.

I'm not a fan. It feels infantilizing and limiting to me.

Generally, I'm for putting the name you intend to use on the birth certificate as the full name. I don't see the point of having a name you're not a big fan of, and don't really want to use, purely to get to another. However, with some names/nicknames I understand why that might not work. Those examples I'd definitely put as a full name, given how established they are anyway.

Hi !!!

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I agree with you. I realized it lately because I usually dislike nicknames but I think that are ok.

It depends on the name lots of nn and also good standalone names

For me, it depends on the name.

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For names like Molly, Sally, and Jack, they feel like separate names from the full name. Like, I wouldn't intuitively call someone named Mary, Molly.

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Other names like Theo, Ben, or Sam feel like they work as both as a full name and a nickname.

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And then some names like Joey, Freddie, and Artie feel too insubstantial as first names.