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HelpNicknames as first names
Nicknames as first names are super trendy nowadays, with Archie and Charlie and Freddie, and Rosie and Evie and Elsie, but which ones do you actually like?
Personally I like Kit, Ned, and Teddy for boys, and Nell and Tilda for girls.
Personally I like Kit, Ned, and Teddy for boys, and Nell and Tilda for girls.
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2
Replies
I prefer to use the full name, some well established nns are ok
1
I love nicknames, but I would much rather use the full name as the legal name. It seems more professional, makes the nickname seem more familiar for people close to the person to use and gives options, so I don't like nicknames as legal names at all.
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Nicknames as first names are fine but some of them sound more mature than others. Ones that sound fine standalone:
Ellie
Stacy
Tracy (for Trace)
Polly
Terry
Carrie
Cat
Alex
Andy
Mindy
Billy
Ones that sound less established:
Liv
Liz
Al
Cal
Mal
Hal
Sal
Tori
Mick
Dicky
Mickey
Colie
Libby
Lettie
Toddy
Ellie
Stacy
Tracy (for Trace)
Polly
Terry
Carrie
Cat
Alex
Andy
Mindy
Billy
Ones that sound less established:
Liv
Liz
Al
Cal
Mal
Hal
Sal
Tori
Mick
Dicky
Mickey
Colie
Libby
Lettie
Toddy
1
I've pretty much never liked the idea of nicknames as first names, though my reasons have evolved over the years. The only exceptions are names that started out as nicknames, but were so different from the original name that they eventually became their own names (e.g. Ella / Elle, Margot, Sadie, and Robin - particularly as a masculine name).
My original reason for disliking "nicknames as legal names" was that I perceived it as unprofessional. Yes, there's a touch of elitism in there, but it still seems to assert informality in places where some formality should exist. Over the last several years another reason developed: it removes choice from the bearer. This is particularly true for a name like Katherine, which has many nickname options (just using this as an example). If someone has the legal name Katie, she could keep that into adulthood or perhaps change over to Kate. But... what if she would've been happier as a Kat, or Kathy? It's too prescriptive.
My original reason for disliking "nicknames as legal names" was that I perceived it as unprofessional. Yes, there's a touch of elitism in there, but it still seems to assert informality in places where some formality should exist. Over the last several years another reason developed: it removes choice from the bearer. This is particularly true for a name like Katherine, which has many nickname options (just using this as an example). If someone has the legal name Katie, she could keep that into adulthood or perhaps change over to Kate. But... what if she would've been happier as a Kat, or Kathy? It's too prescriptive.
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Ouch. This is a bit elitist isn't it? I suffer from a completely concurring opinion though. Word for word I'm in agreement. You did a much better job of elucidating on the original question than I would have. "Tacky" was my honest reaction, but maybe I'm just too stuffy.
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I quite like them, although I haven't used any for my own children.
Some of my favorites:
Pip
Nim
Trixie
Beth & Betty
Ro
Rue & Roux
Lou
Phil
Sasha
Pasha
Bobby
Billy
Topher
Some of my favorites:
Pip
Nim
Trixie
Beth & Betty
Ro
Rue & Roux
Lou
Phil
Sasha
Pasha
Bobby
Billy
Topher
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