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Absolutely! I love diminutives which popularly yet properly maintain themselves as "given first names"; and whether or not we prefer them, they frequently do, though I myself would give a fuller version to immediately offer the full arsenal of diminutives. Tom may frequently be a diminutive for Thomas / Thomasina - yet we also have Tommy as a pet-name; or Tom may be a given name unto itself; similar logic may be found with Kimberly & Kim (Kimmy); Judith & Judy / Jude (Jodie); Beverly and Bev. We can probably lengthen this list with just a few moments of reflection.

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This may not be a given or common rule, but I like to think of pet-names as nick-names of affection; however there is too much ambiguity amongst the definitions, connotations, and associations within the categorization of worldly naming styles, as well as in names themselves for a fixed premise. I just like to think of it this way.

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Sadie
Eliza
Katie / Kate
Tilda
Elle
Millie
Winnie
Annie
Fran - another one that is fine for either gender
Christy / Kristie / etc. this or other spellings would be fine for male / female

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Alex This too is fine for males or females
Liam
Gene (Jean or other versions would be fine for males or females
Terry (guess this goes for males or females)
Jerry Gerry - This too is fine for males or females
Larry
Cliff
Sam this too is fine for either gender
Ben

This message was edited 8/11/2016, 3:35 AM