Using a nickname-name as a middle name
What do you think of this practice? I wouldn't think I would like it (I'm fond of over-formality and frilliness generally), but whenever I see an example, I am struck by how fresh, energetic and zippy the name is.
Like (just off the top of my head):
Genevieve Kate
Casper Jack
Margaret Bess
Charlotte Kitty
Theodore Ben
Victor Bram
Elizabeth Nell
Anyways, WDYT? Fun, or foolish?
Like (just off the top of my head):
Genevieve Kate
Casper Jack
Margaret Bess
Charlotte Kitty
Theodore Ben
Victor Bram
Elizabeth Nell
Anyways, WDYT? Fun, or foolish?
Replies
I was at school with a Moira Nell and an Evelyn Elsie, both named after their mothers. So it seems legitimate to me, though I still find Elsie not as nice as Elsa (the actual name of her mother). Doing it just because you liked the nn or the vibe might be a bit iffy, but using a family nn is fine.
The practice (as nice the nicknames may be) I find a little degrading to the first name...you are taking beautiful, strong, formal names and lessening their power...previously formidable names are weakened by this practice.
Fun or foolish? Both, kind of.
I agree. Mns that are nns energize a combination. I don't like nns as fns because they can lack the dignity / stature I'm usually looking for. But in the mn spot they can really add an interesting twist to a formal fn.
Genevieve Kate -- Love it. Kate is the best example of the mn/nn sparking fire.
Casper Jack -- Jack is the one nn I don't care for in the mn position as a general rule. Jack is a trade, like steeple jack, right? It just sounds odd, sorry.
Margaret Bess -- Love it. These two names match in style beautifully. Very nostalgic. Bess is an underappreciated gem.
Charlotte Kitty -- This one is too cutesy for me, sorry. I like Kitty as a nn. But on a birth certificate is takes away from the fn rather than enhancing it.
Theodore Ben -- Teh flow is nice. I'm just not the biggest fan of Ben.
Victor Bram -- Wow. Now there's a combo: solid, dignified and slightly ominous. Very memorable. Love it.
Elizabeth Nell -- Too much "ell" sound for me. Nell is another underappreciated gem.
Some of mine:
Eliza Tess
Mary Eliza
Holly Eliza
Sebastian Eli
Jemima Polly
Ramona Lucy (although Lucy is borderline formal itself)
Deirdre Molly
Nikolai Max (again, Max is probably more formal than nn)
Isidore Max
Octavian Theo
:-)
Genevieve Kate -- Love it. Kate is the best example of the mn/nn sparking fire.
Casper Jack -- Jack is the one nn I don't care for in the mn position as a general rule. Jack is a trade, like steeple jack, right? It just sounds odd, sorry.
Margaret Bess -- Love it. These two names match in style beautifully. Very nostalgic. Bess is an underappreciated gem.
Charlotte Kitty -- This one is too cutesy for me, sorry. I like Kitty as a nn. But on a birth certificate is takes away from the fn rather than enhancing it.
Theodore Ben -- Teh flow is nice. I'm just not the biggest fan of Ben.
Victor Bram -- Wow. Now there's a combo: solid, dignified and slightly ominous. Very memorable. Love it.
Elizabeth Nell -- Too much "ell" sound for me. Nell is another underappreciated gem.
Some of mine:
Eliza Tess
Mary Eliza
Holly Eliza
Sebastian Eli
Jemima Polly
Ramona Lucy (although Lucy is borderline formal itself)
Deirdre Molly
Nikolai Max (again, Max is probably more formal than nn)
Isidore Max
Octavian Theo
:-)