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Most of the time I prefer a formal name to back up a nickname, but I have a few exceptions. I adore Nora, and while I love Eleanor, I love Nora more. I feel Nora is good enough to stand on its own, it doesn't need Eleanor or Honora. It's the cutesy nicknames I've never liked as full names (Lizzie, Tommy, Maddie, Jimmy, Nikki / Nicky, Katy / Katie)

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I've always been very glad my mom gave me Joan as a first name rather than Joanie. Her reasoning was while she loved Joanie, she wanted me to have a formal name to fall back on. It works out well when I'm in a professional setting.