New Post
Search
Helpto nickname or not to nickname?
I've notice that most of the Thomas 's I know go by Tom and most of the Nicholas ' by Nick and the William 's by Will. Do some names lend themselves more to nn use than others? I'm ok with these and for instance also with Kate, and I think they can be used also by adults maybe even in some professional contexts (there are faculty members in my university that go by these nns normally, but universities are more informal compared to other work environments). Somehow, they feel like "short forms" rather than actual nns. Personally I'm not a huge fan of the -y and -ie nns like Emmie, they seem ok for young children or if used occasionally, but are a bit too cutesy on the long run. What do you think about nns in general? I know some potential parents think of a nn beforehand when they choose a nn (I think I'd rather improvise one when the child is born, or see what the child prefers to be called as it grows), whereas others really hate the idea of their James going by Jim and their Amanda by Mandy.
Archived Thread - replies disabled
1
Replies
First off, Tom, Nick, and Will are great, while Jim, Mandy, and Emmie are horrible. *shrug* I think nicknames need to depend on the name - James is short enough; while Catriona actually needs that "Cate"/"Cat"/"Riona".
In my opinion, if you want to call your kid Tom, Nick, Will, Jim, or Mandy - name them that.
In my opinion, if you want to call your kid Tom, Nick, Will, Jim, or Mandy - name them that.
1
I really dislike nns given as full names
It seems childish, and the child should have the option of going by a full name if he or she prefers.
It seems childish, and the child should have the option of going by a full name if he or she prefers.
1
I agree
1
Being an Amanda with the nickname of Mandy, I enjoy having both a formal name and a nickname. It is a sort of way to keep my formal and informal lives seperate. I use Amanda at work and used it all through my years in school. Mandy is reserved for my family and close friends. I like having more than one option. Nicknames ultimately become the bearer's choice. I think adults can still pull off using "cutesy" nicknames, but I really think it depends on the individual, the name, and the setting where they are using the name. My favorite girl's name and my favorite boy's name each lend themselves to nicknames that I would use and would age well.
1
I think it depends on the name. The popular names you mentioned are likely to get nicknames if they are constantly around other individuals with the same name. Long names are given nn's because it is cumbersome to say Theodore or Genevieve all day long. I think other names don't need nn's but likely get them anyway due to the laziness of individuals in saying the full name.
I don't really know why I like some names to stay full and other to get nn's, but it probably has something to do with the nn they are given. I really dislike the nn's Jim and Joe, but I don't mind Liam and Will.
I don't really know why I like some names to stay full and other to get nn's, but it probably has something to do with the nn they are given. I really dislike the nn's Jim and Joe, but I don't mind Liam and Will.
1
I personally like nicknames... In fact when choosing our kids' names we keep in mind the nickname possibilities. It is going to be natural for kids at school to nickname your kid so why not keep that in mind while choosing the name? My Jason is called Jay, Nathan is Nate and Braden is Brady they go by both forms. We are currently in the hunt for our 4th child's name and cool nickname is a consideration when picking. You don't want a kid to have a name that ends up having a vulgar nickname like I knew an Aspen in school the kids made fun of her bad and called her "blank." It was awful. It also depends on siblings too I notice, if a sibling cannot pronounce a particular name, what ever comes out instead sometimes sticks. Like my name is Christie, my sister could not pronounce it correctly so I have been Kissy my entire life. Nicknames I guess are a choice I suppose; my best friend hates them... It is funny though her name is Marie and ever since my first baby started speaking he has called her Aunt Ree Ree now all my children call her that...lol She doesn't seem to mind one bit..lol
1
Hi
My name is Kay but for the first 15 years of my life I was always Katy or Kayfi (Kay Fiona)- this was not my decision but school friends and family just use those names.
When I had children of my own I didn't choose their names because I liked the nn but I realised that whatever I called them, they would probably get a nn from somewhere and so I had to like that name too.
Alexander was my father's mn and I love the name but I also like Alex. He was Alexander until he went to school and then his friends and teachers started the Alex trend.
The same thing Happened with Cameron - he gradually became Cam and he loves being called Cam now.
David is still David but he starts school in September so we'll see what happens ..........
Ethan is only 2.....still Ethan
Rose has just had her 1st birthday and already we have Rosebud, Rosie etc which are all cute on a baby but I don't know how that will change as she grows.
Alex is a good nn for all ages, as you said, it could work for a professional adult. Some nn are suitable as real names but I'm definitely not a fan of the -y- or -ie-nns. Rosie is only cute for a little girl -she will always be Rose to me!
My name is Kay but for the first 15 years of my life I was always Katy or Kayfi (Kay Fiona)- this was not my decision but school friends and family just use those names.
When I had children of my own I didn't choose their names because I liked the nn but I realised that whatever I called them, they would probably get a nn from somewhere and so I had to like that name too.
Alexander was my father's mn and I love the name but I also like Alex. He was Alexander until he went to school and then his friends and teachers started the Alex trend.
The same thing Happened with Cameron - he gradually became Cam and he loves being called Cam now.
David is still David but he starts school in September so we'll see what happens ..........
Ethan is only 2.....still Ethan
Rose has just had her 1st birthday and already we have Rosebud, Rosie etc which are all cute on a baby but I don't know how that will change as she grows.
Alex is a good nn for all ages, as you said, it could work for a professional adult. Some nn are suitable as real names but I'm definitely not a fan of the -y- or -ie-nns. Rosie is only cute for a little girl -she will always be Rose to me!
1