The Name Game: Cut to the Chase

Many expectant parents already have a nickname in mind when naming their unborn child, but for a growing minority the nickname is the name! Linda Rosenkrantz, co-founder of nameberry.com, points out that celebrities like Tiger Woods, Helena Bonham Carter and Mira Sorvino bypassed the full, formal names of Charles, William and Jonathan when naming their sons Charlie, Billy and Johnny, respectively.

What’s more, Tiger and Denise Richards — both of whom have daughters named Sam — are also using the same nicknames for both boys and girls interchangeably. The using a unisex nickname-as-a-name club may include Ethan Suplee and John C. McGinley (with daughters named Billie), Rebecca Romijn & Jerry O’Connell (with daughter Charlie) and Melissa Etheridge (with daughter Johnnie), “but these are miles away from the unisex nickname names of the 60s and 70s like Corey and Jody,” Linda notes. “Today’s versions are mostly short forms of standard appellations, like Joe for Joseph and Gracie for Grace,” she adds.

Other celebrities have opted to depart with tradition somewhat, assigning their children nicknames-as-names but still keeping those names traditionally masculine or feminine. They include Samantha Morton (with daughter Edie), Jamie Lynn Spears (with daughter Maddie), Jon Stewart (with daughter Maggie) and the increasingly popular Gracie, as chosen by both Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, as well as Anna Friel and David Thewles. Baby boys who fit the bill include Charlie Sheen (with son Bob), Julie Bowen (with son Gus), Kate Winslet (with son Joe) and Hank Azaria, who continued a tradition of his own by naming his son Hal; Both father and son are the proud owners of nickname names given at birth!

Nell Burton, Tiger and Charlie Woods, Busy Philipps and Birdie Silverstein — KTB/Eaglepress; Dom Furore/Woods Family/Getty; WireImage

Click below to read about the pros and cons of nickname names.

Some nicknames have been used as names for so long, society has generally come to accept them as names in their own right according to Linda. They include Harry (as used by David Letterman), Jack (as used by both Matt Lauer and Luke Perry), Jake (as used by Tina Yothers), Nell (as used by Helena Bonham Carter) and Sadie (as used by both Adam Sandler and Finola Hughes). On the opposite end of the spectrum are those celebrities who have used nickname-sounding names that aren’t even official names! They include Ace (as chosen by both Tom Dumont and Jennie Finch), Buster (as chosen by Michelle Hicks and Jonny Lee Miller), Lucky (as chosen by both Damon Dash and Cedric the Entertainer), Sunny (as chosen by Adam Sandler), Birdie (as chosen by both Busy Philipps and Maura West), Coco (as chosen by Courteney Cox-Arquette and David Arquette as well as Diane Farr), Dezi (as chosen by Jaime Pressly) and Jax (as chosen by Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon).

If you’re on the fence about giving your baby-on-the-way a nickname for a name, Linda offers input on the pros and cons. “Most nickname names are exceptionally accessible, friendly and perky, with a laid-back yet energetic appeal,” she says. “Some of them, like Millie and Nell, also have a nostalgic vintage appeal, while Hal and Bob are more midcentury modern.” It’s also worth noting, however, that many of the aforementioned names “have a childish feel.” Linda explains,

“Since they never get to grow up, [nicknames] can be seen as keeping your baby a baby forever. They also can sound incomplete and the little girl named Charlie could grow up craving the dignity of being Charlotte — not to mention the way a Buster or Buck might feel when they’re applying to Princeton.”

In addition to her work with nameberry.com, Linda has co-authored ten baby-naming books with Pamela Redmond-Satran. Their newest title, Beyond Ava & Aiden, is available now.

– Missy

Do you like the practice of giving nicknames as names? Would you or did you give your own child a nickname name? Why or why not?

Comments

I have always said that I want to name my child exactly what I intend on calling him/her. I have always loved the names Lilly and Lucy (but don’t like the names Lillian/Lilliana or Lucielle/Luciana), and I really like Jack (not John, or Jackson).

For the most part I really like nicknames as names, however, there are some exceptions. For example I love the name/nickname Pete, but think that Peter should be the given name.

- Lis on August 7th, 2009

……Oh, but I don’t like the “nicknames” that aren’t even “real” names such as Buster, Peanut, Coco, etc.

- Lis on August 7th, 2009

I have had a nickname my whole life and I hate it! My given name is Melissa but I’ve always been called “Missy”. I’m a 41 yr old mother named Missy…See how silly that sounds? I’ve tried so hard to get people to call me Melissa but they refuse and laugh and make fun of me for even trying to “change my name” now to something that is my given name and my family will even correct people if they hear someone call me Melissa. It has been a life long battle for me and I wouldn’t recommend anyone putting their child through what I go through daily. My daughter is called by her first name ONLY….NO NICKNAMES ALLOWED.

- Melissa Dunn on August 7th, 2009

I personally, don’t want to give my child a nickname as a name. For example I would rather give my child a birth name like Charles, William or Margaret (and then call them Charlie, Will or Maggie). This way the child will always have it real name to fall back on, if they don’t like the nickname. And besides, I think it sound classier.

- Sandra on August 7th, 2009

Not really a fan of nicknames as full names, especially if they’re gender ambiguous. And it doesn’t leave much room for negotiation if the child ends up not liking his or her name.

- Alexis on August 7th, 2009

I named my son Jack b/c that’s what I wanted his name to be. He will not have to be forever correcting his teachers when they call roll at the beginning of the school-year that his name is Jack not John. School records always state the given name not the nick-name.

- Claire on August 7th, 2009

I prefer to give a child a full name then call them by the nickname if you please. That gives the child options to what they want to be called. Colton, Raymond, Jackson, Trenten. Names that can be shortened. My one exception is Jake. I would just use that name becaue I don’t like the name Jacob.

- Ashley on August 7th, 2009

I like my nick name now since I’m young but I don’t know for how long that would be like that. My name is Elena and most people call me Ellie
I also like full names because you can have a nick name when you are little or young person but than when you start working and have your own children the nicknames sound a little bit childish.

- ElenaS on August 7th, 2009

Maybe because i’m young,and names like jack etc are so popular and well known,i almost completely forgot that they are technically nicknames!i wouldn’t think twice about naming my child gracie or ellie or jack or charlie,to me their just names. and how on earth did jack even ever become a nickname for john!?

- hannah on August 7th, 2009

my brother is Drew, he is named after some of our family members. He always had to answer the question if his name was Drew, or Andrew. My name is Angela, and on the other hand nobody calls me Angela, they call me Ange, or Angie. I don’t usually answer to the name Angela.

- Angela Lake on August 7th, 2009

My Dad is named Jack. His name is not John. However his side of the family has always called him Jackie. Even his 3 year old great niece has started calling him Uncle Jackie.

I don’t think there is anything wrong with giving a child a “proper” name and only calling them the shortened version of it. I have a close family friend that always intended on calling her daughter Katie. She was going to name her Katie but at the last minute named her Katherine for fear that as an adult she may want to use Katherine in the “professional” world. She has never introduced her as Katherine….even before she was born she was Katie – unless you saw her birth certificate you wouldn’t know she was born as a Katherine.

My brother is named Christopher. My mom always intended on calling him Christopher – otherwise she would have named him Chris. He shortened it himself as a child because he got tired of writing it all out….. I always call him Christopher – I prefer that as that is his name.

On the other hand my cousin named he daughter Camille and was dead set on NO ONE calling her Cami or Milly – I think people are lazy and everyone calls her Cami – It drives me nuts – her name is CAMILLE!!!! I never call her Cami – and on the opposite spectrum my other cousin named her son Benjamin – with the intent on only calling him Ben – my point was just name him Ben then…. she doesn’t want him called Benji or Benny (so just to irritate her I call him Benny!)

Then we have my name – Whitney – there are no normal nicknames for it and I hate when people (especially those I don’t know) call me Whit! I have written this before on this site – that is not my name and stop being lazy – my name is Whitney.

I would never in a million years name my child Grace or Gracie -sorry – it ranks up there on my least favorite names and one that should be given to an 80 year old woman or a pet.My grandma always used to say “just call me Grace” when she forgot something. Sorry to offend all the Grace and Gracie’s out there. My won’t “GRACE” you with my names I hate list…..

The End!

- Whitney Sterk on August 7th, 2009

Ive seen Jack brought up alot, and personally I know Jack is a nickname, but names like Jack or Sam, etc. Are ‘proffessional’ enough sounding that it could be for any age. Its names that are cutesy nicknames that are mainly intended for children, that shouldnt be name names.

- Micheley on August 7th, 2009

My mom purposely gave me a 3 letter name so I could not be nicknamed! She named my brother John and hated when people referred to him as Johnny! Her MIL did it a lot on purpose!

I don’t mind nicknames if they pertain to the name. Like I wouldn’t name my son John and then call him Jack…I know that this happens but to me it makes no sense.

But no matter what you name your kid or tell people what to call them people will always come up with their own name…especially when the children go off to school.

I know a mother who named her son Alexander and made sure people called him that. But his sister was born and couldn’t say his name so she called him xander….it stuck and now that’s what they call him!! I also know someone that really preferred Christopher over Chris but as soon as the kid went to school he got Chris and now that’s what his family calls him.
Growing up once we reached school we actually called many of our friends by last names…or made up versions of their names and it actually stuck all through the years! It happens all the time and sometimes there just isn’t anything you can do about it once they children our out of your hands

- JMO on August 7th, 2009

I’m Sammy, Samantha really but my parents never call me Samantha only my Grandmothers. They said Sammy wasnt a proper name. Same with my sister.
My uncle named his son Jake and my Gran called him Jacob for about 2 years, even though it was only Jake.

I like some ‘nickname names’ but not the actuall names, like Georgie(Georgina), FRankie(Francesca), Johnny, Charlie an so on.

- and-her-son on August 7th, 2009

I have a daughter named Katie on her birth certificate. When she gets older, she can go by Kate if she wants a more professional name for work. When I think of a nickname for Katherine, I think of Kathy.

- Kerry on August 7th, 2009

My name, Stacia (Stay-sha) is a nickname for Anastasia, my great grandmother. Although I’m not really partial to nicknames as only names, I like the fact that I got Stacia instead of Ana. As well, people don’t really consider Stacia as a nickname, but more of a simply more unique name. I like that Stacie and Sasha are my nicknames, too.

I have nothing against giving children nicknames; I call my son Weston Wes and daughter Victoria V when I am too lazy to call out their enitre names, haha. I just prefer naming children full names at birth, not nacknames. Those always come later on.

- Stacia on August 7th, 2009

Stacia- I think your nickname is lovely! I’ve never heard it before.

I don’t really have a problem with nicknames. I grew up with two, Tee and Tee-Leigh. Now my sweet nieces call me Tee Tee. Go ahead and laugh, everyone else does!

- Tee on August 7th, 2009

one of the few celebrity nicknames i like out there is frankie, from frances, like amanda peets` daughter. i dont like the name frances at all but would condisor naming my future daughter that if she would be known as frankie.

- Tina. on August 7th, 2009

I think everyone deserves a proper name. I absolutely love nicknames like Jack, Teddy, Katie and Jess etc I hate when people give their kids nicknames as names. (Ex:Alex,Jake,Gracie,Jennie) Even worse is when a kid is called Bubbles, Bean or whatever silly nickname is given to them in womb or as a baby. Nicknames stick. I wouldn’t let anyone call my child by a silly name.

- Jane on August 7th, 2009

My real name is Catherine, but since the day I was born I’ve gone by Casey. My Parents liked the name Casey for a boy or a girl and since I was a girl my mom thought I would want a more professional sounding name as an adult.

While I like the name Catherine, I’ve never really felt like it fit me or my personality, but as I continue to get older I’m sure I’ll appreciate it more.

I’ve always liked my nickname, Casey, the only problems I’ve ever had with it are when people ask me how I got Casey from Catherine and I always tell them Casey is not a nickname for Catherine, it is a nickname for me.

- Casey on August 8th, 2009

My dad named me after my birth. He gave me “Steffi” as as first name (short for “Stefanie”) – it’s written onto my birth certificate. And I don’t even have a middle name! He said she’ll be called Steffi anyway, so he gave me that nickname to begin with. And he was right, all the Stefanies I have met, are all called Steffi. It’s funny that some people assume my full name is Stefanie and I have to correct them . I’m proud of my name and yes, even a nickname can be shortened down – my parents call me Steff now .

- die eule on August 8th, 2009

I think that sometimes nicknames can get out of hand, my father thought that it would be fun to name me bumble as my surname is beeson! I am still not amusedby this as I am sick of answering the question- Is that your real name, yes it us my real name and go make it worse I don’t have a middle name to use as a first name. Last year when I became pregnant with my daughter I decided to give her a name that is still “cute” for a little girl but something unlike myself that she can use in her professional life, I set on Alba after reading it in a book! Sometimes nick names can get outof hand as in my case! I am stuck with my name but have shortened it too bea beeson but still asked if I’m a bee oh well stuck with it now.

All I can say is think before you give you baby a “nickname” or cute name because they will be stuck with it FOREVER! x x

- bumble beeson on August 8th, 2009

There’s no nickname for my son Pierre but I call him P sometimes. With my second unborn child, if it’s a boy, his name will be Luc, which is a name in its own right so that’s fine. If it’s a girl, she’s Madeline ‘Maddie’. We will always call her Maddie but when dealing with formal stuff, like school or filling out forms, she’ll use the name Madeline, so I think there’s no problem there. I love nicknames but not as a proper name. At least with giving your children proper names, they have a choice.

- babyboopie on August 8th, 2009

My given name is Vicki, not Victoria. When my parents did that back in 1980 it was still really unusual. I used to like the fact that I was different from all the Victorias out there, and I quite liked having to explain that my name “was not Victoria” every time.

However, it is slightly irritating that I can’t ever sound formal. My name always sounds casual and familiar, whereas Victoria does have the advantage of a business-like sound.

Ironically, given the above, my daughter is called Sally – technically a nickname of course, from Sarah!

- vixen on August 8th, 2009

I like nicknames…as nicknames. After all, this is their purpose. Even if we call our children by their nicknames about 75% of the time, my dh and I were very adamant about them having a ‘formal’ name that will ‘grow’ with them (they are Magnus ‘Max’, Philippa ‘Pippa’ & Adelaide ‘Addie’). However, that is just my opinion & to each their own!

- Corinne on August 8th, 2009

We named our daughter Lily, and everyone kept asking us why we didn’t use Lillian as her formal name. I personally think that Lily is a sufficient name on it’s own, and we never cared for Lillian. I figured I should name her what I intend to call her.

- Finais on August 8th, 2009

See, I love the name Theo, I think it’s adorable but I really dislike the name Theodore… it just sounds too ‘old person’ and I’d hate for him to be nicknamed Ted because he’d be called Theodore. Plus growing up in the 80′s…. the Bill & Ted era…. Ted ‘Theodore’ Logan and all that…. lol But Theo as a name is lovely.

Other than Theo, I prefer names to nicknames, ie William rather than Billy. Some nicknames are names in their own right though, ie Lily, Lucy, Ben, Jack etc and I much prefer those than Lillian, Lucille, Benjamin & John to be honest!

My parents named me Emma, which I hate being called, and the shortest version of that is Em, so that’s what I go by. The only people who called me Emma were my Grandparents.

- Em on August 8th, 2009

What is Sadie short for??

I don’t really get the problem people have with shortened names. A name is a name is a name. It’s rare that people don’t like their given names, and if they don’t they can change it themselves.

- Sydney on August 8th, 2009

Wow Bumble that is some name you have, I like it but I understand it can be annoying.

I had no idea Jack was a nickname. I’m French and we have the name Jacques, it’s not a nickname at all it’s an old name. I think it might be the equivalent of your Jacob (biblically speaking) but it’s pronounced Jack. Hence my surprise that Jack isn’t a “proper” name.

I like some nicknames as names but I don’t think I would give one to my child, because I like the possibility of a person having different nicknames. Like an Elena could be Ellie, Ella, Lena, lots of things, and she could choose herself, or her friends could call her a different one than her family does, there is more freedom. My step-mother called my brother a short name so people would not nickname him, but I wouldn’t mind people calling my child something else than I do, he/she will be her own person.
Anyway, whatever you name your child and no matter how much you want it to be their only name, their friends can always end up calling them Big Mac, Spoon or Pirate if it means something to them.

Just a question, does anyone know what Sadie is a nickname for?? I have no idea.

- Alice on August 8th, 2009

I prefer full names versus nicanames as given names. I’d rather name my children Ephraim & Elena than Ram & Leni, but that’s my choice.

- Alex on August 8th, 2009

Alice your comment made me giggle- ‘Big Mac, Pirate or Spoon’ tee hee.

I looked up Sadie and it’s a nickname for Sarah. Strange.

- Sydney on August 8th, 2009

@Alice

Sadie is a nickname for Sarah.

- Alex on August 8th, 2009

i love nicknames

my name is Fiona but all my family ever call me is Nona. fiona is to hard for kids to say and when my cousin made up the name nona it stuck. i even write my name as nona on my neice and newphews birthday cards as nona.

i remember a few years ago my neice coming to me and demanding that i tell her brother that my name was nona not fiona. they are all older now by they still call me nona which i prefer from them anyway. my sisters tryed to get them to call me fiona but i told them to call me nona i can’t imagion them calling me anything else. hell if they called me fiona i would think they were talking about someone else.

when i have kids i plan and naming my daughter catherine eliza but she will always be called cassie. it is my favourite name.

- fiona on August 8th, 2009

What a fun name post to read!

Bumble, I admit that I would have tried to politely ask you the name question if we had met.

My personal preference is similiar to Corrine and others here who adore daily nicknames, yet have formal official names.

Of our 5 girls, only our 2nd has a real nickname – in that we call her by her nickname more than her real name – her name is Francesca and we call her Francie. It suits her. Our other 4 girls – Antonia, Georgina, Julianna and Arabella – are nickname-less. Perhaps they will find nicknames as they grow into school and then instruct us.

- ARRA on August 8th, 2009

My brothers name is James Donovan. For the longest time, everyone called him Jimmy. Ever since he finished High School, maybe the last year, he introduces himself as James. Noone other than family call him Jimmy, and he has been correcting us for years. (I sometimes call him J.D., too, though.) So, if my parents had simply named him ‘Jimmy’, he wouldn’t have had James to go to when he got sick of Jimmy. My sister is Krystofer Alicia. She shortened hers to Krysti. Family sometimes shorten it further to Krys.

I don’t have a problem with nicknames in and of themselves, just not as a given name. I prefer longer given names and nicknames can be given. That way it gives more options for the kid when/if they get older and decide they don’t like the nickname.

- Sarah M. on August 8th, 2009

I know three girls whose given name is Katie. One, a good friend of mine, now goes by Kate as an adult (which I much prefer); the other two still go by Katie, though one is only thirteen and may change her mind as she gets older. I think “nicknames” that have evolved into established names (Jack, Finn, Lily, etc) are fine. But naming a daughter Addie instead of Adelaide, etc.? No. On the other hand, it drives me crazy that Julia Roberts named her son Phinneaus to give him a “real name” but always refers to him as Finn. Finn’s a great, perfectly acceptable name. But Phinneaus? In my opinion, far from it.

- Lauren on August 8th, 2009

Just wondering…who is that adorable lil blonde girl in the photo? i cant place her but she is CUTE!!

- NZ Casey on August 8th, 2009

My niece is named Kammie – and she always gets “Is that short for Camille?” Nope – just Kammie.

Our friends just had a baby and named him Cal – I love it as a nickname, but feel something more should be attached to it.

People need to remember that kids DO grow up and DO enter the adult world at some point – and their name should translate accordingly.

- angelika05 on August 8th, 2009

P.S. My son is Nolan but we call him Nollie. That’s what we call him NOW, but something tells me he won’t much care for it when he is older and will thankfully have his given name to fall back on!

- angelika05 on August 8th, 2009

My parents have always disliked nicknames and named each of us nine kids exactly what they wanted to call us, so out of us with nickname-type names: I’m Shelley (not Michelle), my brothers are Jake (not Jacob) and Zeke (not Ezekiel). I love the fact that my name IS my name and not a nickname and I don’t mind correctly people who think it’s Michelle. I don’t believe my brother Jake has ever had an issue with his being Jake not Jacob and Zeke is still too young to care (only 9 yrs old). Sure, in a family as large as ours we have a few family nicknames for each other, but none have stuck permanently (the exception is Bethany’s nickname – she does frequently get called Bella but she doesn’t mind, but most of the time she’s Bethany).

Now that I’m married and have a child of my own, I’m finding that I am following in my parent’s footsteps about nicknames… I don’t like nicknames at all. My daughter is Janelle Marie and despite my sisters trying to give her the nickname of “Nellie”, I was firm that her name is Janelle and that’s what she’s called. Any future children will be named likewise.

Personally, it drives me nuts for people to name their kid one thing and then call them something completely different (nickname or something else). Name them what you want to call them. It seems easy to me.

- Shelley - not Michelle! on August 9th, 2009

I have a late aunt who’s name was Kathy, not Kathleen or Katherine, just Kathy. I also have a cousin named Vickie, not Victoria, just Vickie. They both ALWAYS got the “Is that short for Victoria?”, “Is that short for Katherine?”, etc. It drove my aunt crazy and drives my cousin crazy.

When I see longer names I automatically shorten them, thinking that the majority of people who have longer given names usually go by a shorter nickname. When I hear Jackson, I usually automatically call the child Jack. Margaret, Maggie. Jonathan, John. Etc. I know several other people that do the same thing. You’re more likely to be corrected with “No, it’s Jackson.” or “No, it’s Margeret.”, than if you use a common nickname for a longer name. I also never knew that Sadie was a nickname for Sarah…

- Sarah M. on August 9th, 2009

Well, I’m with the gang that thinks you should name your child exactly what you intend to call them – mostly because if everyone thought that way, I wouldn’t have to correct so many people on my name. My name is Caroline – you wouldn’t think I’d have many problems, but I do. My parents weren’t big on nicknames so I’ve never had one – and I LOVE my name and it was unusual enough when I was born (the 70′s) that I’m usually the only
Caroline in any setting. My annoyance comes from people who automatically assume (as someone once told me), that no one would actually use a name ‘that long’ – uh, okay, whatever. If I wanted to be called Carrie or Carly or Care, or Lainy (don’t even ask), that is how I would introduce myself!

- Caroline on August 9th, 2009

My name’s Philippa, and when I was a baby, my parents sometimes liked to call me Pip or Pippa. But when they noticed other people started calling me that too, they immediately stopped doing it, to prevent me from being called by a nickname for the rest of my life.
I’m glad they did that, because now I’m 20 and I’m called by my proper name by most people. (though some of my friends call me Philly or Lippa which I don’t mind)
I’ve no problem with nicknames at all, but I think it’s nice to have a “proper” name too. But I guess it’s everyone’s personal choice, and it depends on the name too. For instance, I wouldn’t consider Jack a nickname, but a proper name, but some other names really sound too much like a nickname to me.
Again, it’s everyone’s personal choice, some people prefer to be called by their nickname and other’s don’t. I really don’t have a problem with either.

- Philippa on August 9th, 2009

NZ Casey, the little girl on the left is Nell Burton, Helena Bonham Carter and Tim Burton’s daughter. Se is adorable.

Thanks Alex and Sydney for the heads up on Sadie. My guess would have been Sandra.

- Alice on August 9th, 2009

I have a Maggie. Just a Maggie. I personally don’t like Margaret and frankly, don’t even get the nickname Maggie from Margaret. Just because someone says it is? it doesn’t even make sense.

So yes, Maggie is her “real” name.

- sara on August 9th, 2009

Nicknames are intersting. Like how did Peg or Peggy become a nickname for Margaret?

I know two!

- JMO on August 9th, 2009

I don’t particularly mind nicknames as given names… to each his own. However, I think with “full” names as given names, there should definitely be some thought on some people’s end on how nicknames are used.

My given name is Jessica. My family members are the only people I will tolerate calling me “Jess”. I say this because a nickname, IMO, is a name someone uses with someone they’re familiar with. They have a relationship with this person and they know them very well. My very best friend in the entire world has always, always called me Jessica. I only allow my family to call me “Jessie” if it’s linked with “Bessie”, as Jessie Bessie was a childhood nickname of mine.

What irks me the most is when people take it upon themselves to shorten the given name without asking the person first. Example. I worked in the sports department of a local paper doing an internship when I was a freshman in college. I was the only female in the department. I introduced myself the first day, and one of the male writers insisted I shorten my name to “Jess” in my bylines and my daily conversations with people because it sounded more manly than “Jessica.” Um, hello, I AM FEMALE. My parents named me Jessica.

This isn’t the only time it’s happened to me. People at work call me “Jess” without asking permission, and it bothers me. I had to ask them to re-do my nametag because they put “Jess” on it without consulting me.

Long story short, and to get off my soapbox about this, I don’t care so much about what people name their child, I just wish people would *ask* what they prefer to be called. Please, please don’t assume!

- RedSoxJunkie on August 9th, 2009

I assume that the longer name is shortened, but before I call a person by a shorter name, I do ask. (I ask the parent if I’m dealing with a younger child.) I apologize for not clarifying better.

- Sarah M. on August 10th, 2009

I would never give my children a “nickname” name because I hate nicknames. I got called Melon alot in high school because my given name is such a mouthful (not by choice either), but no one in my family called me anything but Mary-Helen. My husband’s name is Philip and I don’t call him Phil nor does his family, he has a couple of friends who do but that’s it.

Our daughters are Sydney & Addison, not Syd & Addy and people who address them as anything but WILL be corrected. I fail to see the point of naming a child just to call them something else. Like, if your name is William, why go by Will or Bill? Same goes with Samantha, Nathaniel, or any other name.

I think if you like the short form, just call them that and get it over with. If you want a Josh, name him Josh. Don’t call him Joshua and then tell everyone to call him something else. Otherwise, call someone by their name.

- Mary-Helen on August 10th, 2009

My boys and they have full given names of Oscar and Fintan, though they are more commonly known as Oz and Finn. I find it very important to have a full proper name for career purposes and have a shortened name that friends and family can call you.

I am big on shortening the names of my friends for a friendlier feel, but where do you go with Joe, Pete, Buster? Joey? Petey? Bust?!!

- Brit Twin Mummy on August 10th, 2009

my sister has the nickname of peanut or pooh (like winnie the pooh). only immediate family calls her that though. she got the nickname because she was so small when she was born that we thought she might not grow (as a joke). she loves the nickname when called it by family only. everywhere else, ie school etc. she goes by her name.

my name is alexandra and i go by ally. i will use alexandra in my professional life but by friends and family i am simply ally.

- bubbles on August 10th, 2009

Alice-It’s funny that you used the nickname Spoon in your comment…that’s what my boyfriend’s friends call him…never quite understood it myself but it has stuck throughout the years…unfortunately lol

- Kristi on August 10th, 2009

My name is Julieanne. As a child I got Jules and Julie but as I got older I preferred Julieanne but I still get Jules alot by close friends and family. My kids names are Nell, Billy, Moya and Luke, all short names and hopefully nothing else.

- Julieanne on August 10th, 2009

i hate when people call me chris, or chrissy, besides my family. that is not my name. my brother is joseph but he’s always gone by joey. he’s told me before that one day when he’s older he’ll probably go by joseph or even joe. my son is vincent but i was hesitant only because i feared the nickname vinny. i made everyone promise not to call him that but they do anyways. his father is matthew but he usually goes by matt. i think it’s best to name a child something strong and then use a nickname if you want, but to ultimately let the child decide. i would puke if i had to go through life with the name chrissy. or buster. or birdie. i have a godson named jack and he was named for his grandfather, jack. it can be a playful name or it can be a very strong name. jack as a nickname for john doesn’t make sense anyways.

- crystal6381 on August 10th, 2009

Of my 5 children my youngest daughter is the only one who goes by a nickname. We picked the name Adelaide for her but it became too much for my other children to pronounce so we started to call her Laidey and once she gets older if she wants to go by Adelaide it is up to her. But as far as nicknames go they don’t seem to be a problem as long as they have a strong name to back them up.

- Kaitlyn on August 11th, 2009

My name is Gina and when my nieces and nephews were younger they called me Gigi. I did not mind it then but for some reason it bothers me now.
Nicknames usually don’t bother me but a few do. For example, I am not a fan of Vicki but love the name Victoria, I don’t care for Christy but love the name Christina.
I ended up naming my kids Hannah and Noah which it is hard to nickname (or so I thought). Poor Hannah now goes through high school being called “Hannah Montana or Hannah-Banana”. One of Noah’s grandmother’s calls him Noey..(He is in middle school now).
The thing I like about names like Hannah and Noah, it tends to grow with them.

- Gina J on August 11th, 2009

Mine is Sally or Jessi or Dolly.

My daughter’s would have been Abi. Or Faith possibly.

And my future children’s will be Lili, Ana or Stasia, Charlee or Lotte. And Oli, Eli, and Jude.

- Jessi on August 11th, 2009

I don’t like nicknames and don’t want my children’s names to have the nickname option. (It’s probably because I never had a nickname growing up.) I just feel that a child should be addressed by their name by other people. If there’s a family nickname (I call my daughter Audrey “Monkey”) that’s fine since it’s a term of endearment.

I also don’t like unisex or boy names for girls. I guess I’m just a traditionalist and think that boys should be boys and girls should be girls.

- Valerya on August 12th, 2009

Don’t see any harm in shorter versions of names but are biased! We have a Sam, and it’s Sam on both his birth cert also, not short for Samuel (as hubby preferred Sam for some reason, I myself like both, but used to him as Sam after almost 5 years now!). We figured we’d shorten it, and suits it now anyhow, less ‘posh’ if you like, so why call him Samuel?!, not against the name as such either but figured Sam’s perfectly fine on someone 30′s, 40′s etc. Sammy perhaps not so appropriate in the adult world, lol, was Sammy when he weas say under 2 or 3 but last few years it’s Sam – funny that we lengthened a short name, as a term of endearment. My sis is similar with her two boys. Liked either Jacob or Jake and figured she’d shorten it to Jake so Jake it was, and also has a Max – being a teacher she said she’s a fan of shorter names that may seem mainstream but at least won’t be teased about (hopefully, you never know) and can’t be misspelt. Influenced by her own teaching experience, kids’ she’s taught with strange names that make them a target etc…

- Sam & Freya's Mum on August 13th, 2009

I think that the longer the name is, the more one prefers a nickname. My name is Christina and I love it, but it is used mostly by professors or people who are not close to me (also my mum uses my full name when speaking about me with other people). But when a friend uses my whole name, it doesn’t feel as cosy, you know what I mean. So I prefer Chrissy or Christy, or Chriska or Chrisichka (the last two are common for my country).
But I believe that people should choose what they want to be called by themselves

- Christina, Bulgaria on August 15th, 2009

While I understand the sentiment of naming a child what you intend to call them, I think parents should put some stock in what a child will want to be called. Parents only have a small amount of time where they can control what name a child will go by.

Ellie, Katie and Gracie are all adorable names, especially for little girls, but a 22-year-old trying to be taken seriously as an adult would likely appreciate the ability to go by Elizabeth, Katherine or Grace.

That said, there are some nicknames that are prominent or strong enough to be considered names in their own right, like Sam, Max, Lily or Nell. In my opinion, if a name doesn’t sound appropriate for a senator, rock star or CEO, then the child should be given a longer alternative. I have a hard time picturing a president named Benny.

- Melissa on August 15th, 2009

My cousins name is Grayson. He’s usually called Gray Gray (yes, twice.) If you ask him what his name is, he’ll tell you it’s ‘Gray Gray.’ While he’s called that now, I can’t imagine calling a 40 year old man ‘Gray Gray.’ (I suppose once would work, but he may prefer Grayson over what he’s called now later on in life.) I LOVE the nickname Benji. But as a nickname only. I would name my son Benjamin and call him Benji for short. I like Josiah Joseph, shortened to JoJo. I have a hard time picturing a person over the age of 7/8, who’s trying to gain respect, with a full name of JoJo.

- Sarah M. on August 16th, 2009

I have twin daughters, Samantha and Abernathy. My family calls them “Sam and Abbie”,as so do i and they are 9 months old and people critize me for calling my daughters Sam and Abbie.

I Just don’t understand.

- Becca on August 17th, 2009

My dad’s name is Sam and people always ask if it’s short for Samuel, which it’s not. My given name is Kristin, and it wasn’t until 5th grade that I aquired the nickname Krissi. I’ve always hated my name and am happy that I can be called something else. It doesn’t really matter though, cuz in the military, everyone calls you by your last name anyway

- Krissi on August 20th, 2009

Melissa, thats awful! Names are something so personal and nobody should argue with you when you tell them what you want to be called. I have a less usual spelling (traditional in my mothers native tongue but not in the country where I grew up) of my name and I always hated it when people insisted to call med some so called “pronunciation based” version of my name even though I had repeatedly told them how I wanted them to pronounce it. I especially rememer hating a teacher who insisted on calling me a mangeld “german” version of my name. Show people respect by calling them what they want to be called!

- MiB on August 27th, 2009

My granddaughter Victoria is eight years old. Her father and my daughter decided when she was born and named Victoria that she would be called by her given name, no nicknames. After divorcing and remarrying her father and step-mom now call her Tori even when my daughter has asked them not to. They do it because they know it is disturbing to my daughter. I think it is unhealthy for Victoria because now her name is a point of argument instead of everyone respecting her and calling her by her given name that was agreed on from the beginning.
Any thoughts?

- mary on April 6th, 2010