Feminine name, masculine nickname
What are your thoughts on this? There's a girl where I work who is named Bernadette and goes by Bernie, which I didn't like at all at first but now think is ridiculously charming. In a similar vein, if you've ever watched Dead Like Me, there's a sister set of George (Georgia) and Reggie (Regina). What other examples can you think of/do you like?
Replies
Not a fan at all. It's a pet peeve of mine actually.
I was at school with two sisters, Josephine and Roberta, who went by Jody and Bert.
I was also at school with a Charlene who went by Charles.
My mother knew a German woman called Freda who was always known as George.
Once I taught a Bernadette who also went by Bernie. So did a Bernice I was at school with: she was named "after" her German father Berndt.
And I had an Auntie Billie, but I've got no clue why.
I was also at school with a Charlene who went by Charles.
My mother knew a German woman called Freda who was always known as George.
Once I taught a Bernadette who also went by Bernie. So did a Bernice I was at school with: she was named "after" her German father Berndt.
And I had an Auntie Billie, but I've got no clue why.
I don't have a problem with it. I really like Leona "Leo."
Others I can think of (* means I like):
Theodora "Theo" - I love Theodora, but Theo is all boy to me.
Alexandra, Alexis, etc. "Alex" *
Samantha "Sam" *
Christine, Christina, etc. "Chris"
Francesca "Frankie"
Philippa "Phil"
Petra "Petey"
Josephine "Jo" or "Joey"
Matilda or Mattea "Mattie"
Danielle "Danny / Dannie / Dani"
Davina "Davy"
Lucretia "Luke / Luc" - I really like Lucretia, but I wouldn't actually use Luke or Luc as a nickname for it.
Richarda "Ricky / Rickie"
Roberta "Robbie" or "Bobbie"
Willa or Wilhelmina "Billie" or "Willie" - My grandmother used to take care of an elderly woman named Wilhelmina "Willie."
Others I can think of (* means I like):
Theodora "Theo" - I love Theodora, but Theo is all boy to me.
Alexandra, Alexis, etc. "Alex" *
Samantha "Sam" *
Christine, Christina, etc. "Chris"
Francesca "Frankie"
Philippa "Phil"
Petra "Petey"
Josephine "Jo" or "Joey"
Matilda or Mattea "Mattie"
Danielle "Danny / Dannie / Dani"
Davina "Davy"
Lucretia "Luke / Luc" - I really like Lucretia, but I wouldn't actually use Luke or Luc as a nickname for it.
Richarda "Ricky / Rickie"
Roberta "Robbie" or "Bobbie"
Willa or Wilhelmina "Billie" or "Willie" - My grandmother used to take care of an elderly woman named Wilhelmina "Willie."
Not sure I like Davina, but a girl Davy would be awesome!
The only thing I can think of that I like is Danielle "Dani". While the i makes it feminine you cannot tell the difference between Dani and Danny when said outloud. The only other ones I can see using are nn that seem unisex.
Alexander or Alexandra "Alex"
Samuel or Samantha "Sam"
Christopher or Christine "Chris"
Alexander or Alexandra "Alex"
Samuel or Samantha "Sam"
Christopher or Christine "Chris"
Absolutely yes! I love them!
Odie for Odette (I've only known one Odie and it was a boy, so I'm not sure if you'd classify Odie as masculine or feminine)
Joey for Jolene, Josephine, Jocelyn, etc.
Kyle for Skylar (it's been growing on me, but GP only)
Arty or Artie for Artemis or Martina
Ron or Ronny for Veronica, Rhonda, Cameron, Sharon
Ray for Raven, Lorraine
Odie for Odette (I've only known one Odie and it was a boy, so I'm not sure if you'd classify Odie as masculine or feminine)
Joey for Jolene, Josephine, Jocelyn, etc.
Kyle for Skylar (it's been growing on me, but GP only)
Arty or Artie for Artemis or Martina
Ron or Ronny for Veronica, Rhonda, Cameron, Sharon
Ray for Raven, Lorraine
ngl Dead Like Me certainly swayed me on George as a nn for a girl lol
My favorite one though, that I would totally use if I could, is Charlotte with the nn Charlie or Chuck. Pushing Daisies really won me over with Chuck as a nn for a girl. Charlie is a fairly common nn and name for girls where my cousins live and that's why I don't think twice about that for a girl.
And Angel definitely won me over for Winifred with nn Fred. She was such a great character!
TV/film/books really strongly affects my opinion on names, I think. Especially with strange and/or unique names.
My favorite one though, that I would totally use if I could, is Charlotte with the nn Charlie or Chuck. Pushing Daisies really won me over with Chuck as a nn for a girl. Charlie is a fairly common nn and name for girls where my cousins live and that's why I don't think twice about that for a girl.
And Angel definitely won me over for Winifred with nn Fred. She was such a great character!
TV/film/books really strongly affects my opinion on names, I think. Especially with strange and/or unique names.
sorry, wrong spot.
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This message was edited 3/2/2011, 3:33 PM
Max for Maxine is great!
I like Dani for Danica, but Danny for Danielle is good too.
I like Dani for Danica, but Danny for Danielle is good too.
yes yes yes
I love these.
Bernie for Bernadette is awesome.
George for any girls Georg- name is great, but Georgie might be a bit superior!
Sam/Sammy for Samantha
Alex for any Alex- name.
Ron for Ronalee (my cousin)
Jo for Jodi (I always wanted to be called Jo) or Josephine
Dom for Domenica/Dominique (for me Dom was originally a masculine nn from Dominic)
Al for Alison/Alice/Alyssa/etc
Jay for any J- name
Bob/Bobby/Rob for Roberta
It's a particularly nice outlet for a tomboy-ish girl!
I love these.
Bernie for Bernadette is awesome.
George for any girls Georg- name is great, but Georgie might be a bit superior!
Sam/Sammy for Samantha
Alex for any Alex- name.
Ron for Ronalee (my cousin)
Jo for Jodi (I always wanted to be called Jo) or Josephine
Dom for Domenica/Dominique (for me Dom was originally a masculine nn from Dominic)
Al for Alison/Alice/Alyssa/etc
Jay for any J- name
Bob/Bobby/Rob for Roberta
It's a particularly nice outlet for a tomboy-ish girl!
I'm not a huge fan of the name trend, but I am a Dead Like Me Fan. Mandy Patinkin &hearts
This message was edited 3/2/2011, 2:28 PM
I don't mind at all. I especially like Alex for a girl.
BTW, my dh's mother had a good friend named Bernadette (nn Bernie) who lived with them for about two years when he was 17. She was about 17 years his senior. In fact, he "dated" her for about a year (senior year) and to this day, no one in the family is the wiser -- except me. Hilarious!
BTW, my dh's mother had a good friend named Bernadette (nn Bernie) who lived with them for about two years when he was 17. She was about 17 years his senior. In fact, he "dated" her for about a year (senior year) and to this day, no one in the family is the wiser -- except me. Hilarious!
This message was edited 3/2/2011, 1:29 PM
I feel the same way about Bernadette nn Bernie. I actually think I like it, even though I'd opt for Etta. But on the right sort of personality, I think it works well.
The only masculine nns I can think of that I really like on a girl much are Frankie and Alex. I think they're really upbeat and quirky.
The only masculine nns I can think of that I really like on a girl much are Frankie and Alex. I think they're really upbeat and quirky.