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HelpNicholas or Nikolai
Without telling you any context: Nicholas or Nikolai? and why?
Now with some context.
My mother is Nicola, goes by Nicki. I would like to honour her.
Nikolai was my first choice, he'd go by "Kai" (maybe occasionally Niki), I think it's cool and spunky. But is it too weird/unexpected for somebody without any Russian heritage who lives in England/USA?
Nicholas I always used to hate (and I don't use that word lightly), but I've been hearing it more often now and it's growing on me. He'd go by Nicky predominantly.
Opinions?
TIA :-)
English Au Pair in Massachusetts with https://www.aupairinamerica.com/
https://www.behindthename.com/pnl/117870?sort=gender&pop=ew
Top ~ Alexei (b) and Juliet (g)
Bottom ~ Morgan (g) and Lois (g)
Now with some context.
My mother is Nicola, goes by Nicki. I would like to honour her.
Nikolai was my first choice, he'd go by "Kai" (maybe occasionally Niki), I think it's cool and spunky. But is it too weird/unexpected for somebody without any Russian heritage who lives in England/USA?
Nicholas I always used to hate (and I don't use that word lightly), but I've been hearing it more often now and it's growing on me. He'd go by Nicky predominantly.
Opinions?
TIA :-)
English Au Pair in Massachusetts with https://www.aupairinamerica.com/
https://www.behindthename.com/pnl/117870?sort=gender&pop=ew
Top ~ Alexei (b) and Juliet (g)
Bottom ~ Morgan (g) and Lois (g)
Archived Thread - replies disabled
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Replies
Nikolai, definitely!
With no context: Nicholas usually ends up as Nick, and it's boring either way. Nikolai could end up as Nick, but it's easier to use a different nickname like Niko. I also just prefer the full name of Nikolai instead of Nicholas.
I think Kai is good, maybe a stretch though. I'd prefer Niko for Nikolai or Nico for Nicholas (or Nicolas. I don't really like it with the h, and Nicolas is closer to Nicola anyway).
But keep in mind that saying "he'd go by ___" is just a fantasy on your part, if this is an actual baby you have no idea what nickname he's going to prefer, if any.
With no context: Nicholas usually ends up as Nick, and it's boring either way. Nikolai could end up as Nick, but it's easier to use a different nickname like Niko. I also just prefer the full name of Nikolai instead of Nicholas.
I think Kai is good, maybe a stretch though. I'd prefer Niko for Nikolai or Nico for Nicholas (or Nicolas. I don't really like it with the h, and Nicolas is closer to Nicola anyway).
But keep in mind that saying "he'd go by ___" is just a fantasy on your part, if this is an actual baby you have no idea what nickname he's going to prefer, if any.
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Nikolai is one of my favourite names! I think there’s a really sweet, gentle and kind feel to it, and I also love Kai or Niki (or Niko) as nns. Even with context, I’d still go for Nikolai. I’d happily use him and I don’t have any Russian heritage either. Nicholas doesn’t even slightly stand up to Nikolai in my opinion, it feels tired and overdone (as does Nick) and I always think ‘knickerless’ when I hear it haha.
This message was edited 12/5/2018, 2:46 PM
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