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Help[Opinions] NICKNAMES
WDYT nicknames: cute or not?
Or why have them at all? If you want to call the child Katie, just name her Katie rather than Katherine, etc.
Or why have them at all? If you want to call the child Katie, just name her Katie rather than Katherine, etc.
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Nicknames are just that, nicknames. It's the kids choice whether they use it in the future
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No!!! If you want to call your child Katie, by all means call Katie but name her Katherine! My name is Katherine nn Katie and I am so glad that I have my formal name. I think Katie is very cutesy and childish. Neither Katie nor Katherine is a name that particuarily appeals to me, but at least Katherine sounds mature. Nick-names are sweet and endearing, but I just don't think they work in the professional world. When I get a job after college, and if/when I someday get published, I will be using Katherine.
Ditto for William nn Billy, Nicholas nn Nick, Abigail nn Abby... these names are not as strong as their full forms.
I'm unsure as to whether or not my to-be children will have nicknames. If the names I love when I have them lend themselves well to nns, then sure, why not. But they will definately have formal names to fall back on.
~ Arcadia
Ditto for William nn Billy, Nicholas nn Nick, Abigail nn Abby... these names are not as strong as their full forms.
I'm unsure as to whether or not my to-be children will have nicknames. If the names I love when I have them lend themselves well to nns, then sure, why not. But they will definately have formal names to fall back on.
~ Arcadia
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ditto....
I don't usually mind when people give short forms of names as full names; I figure they don't like the long form at all but adore the nick. But I would do it myself only in very rare cases, where the short form comes from the last half of long form, is rare, old, or foreign, or is an artificial short form. Like Liam, Beth, Greta, Ada, Drew, Frida.
Most of the time, I agree with Arcadia (about the need for a formal name in formal situations). Names like Lucy, Bill, Katie, Abby, Joe, etc. imply familiarity and affection to me, and a person ought to be giving permission for the familiarity by choosing to introduce him/herself that way.
- chazda
edited because I put my sig twice and misspelled a word.
I don't usually mind when people give short forms of names as full names; I figure they don't like the long form at all but adore the nick. But I would do it myself only in very rare cases, where the short form comes from the last half of long form, is rare, old, or foreign, or is an artificial short form. Like Liam, Beth, Greta, Ada, Drew, Frida.
Most of the time, I agree with Arcadia (about the need for a formal name in formal situations). Names like Lucy, Bill, Katie, Abby, Joe, etc. imply familiarity and affection to me, and a person ought to be giving permission for the familiarity by choosing to introduce him/herself that way.
- chazda
edited because I put my sig twice and misspelled a word.
This message was edited 12/17/2004, 6:33 AM
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I am a firm believer
in giving formal names that have shorter nickname possibilities. It give the children more choices. Also, I absolutely have to give nicknames. It's just in my nature.
I do think some nickname combos are really cute and there are some nicknames that I love that don't have a formal name I like (Ike, Kate), but I'd much prefer giving a formal name.
in giving formal names that have shorter nickname possibilities. It give the children more choices. Also, I absolutely have to give nicknames. It's just in my nature.
I do think some nickname combos are really cute and there are some nicknames that I love that don't have a formal name I like (Ike, Kate), but I'd much prefer giving a formal name.
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I agree. If you want to call the child a certain name, then use it. Why should you have to use the full or formal name? I think that can make things confusing actually!
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Curious
as to how that confuses things. I have two sons who have formal names with nicknames and I don't see where the confusion comes in to play. Sometimes they're called by their formal names and sometimes by their nicknames. No biggie.
as to how that confuses things. I have two sons who have formal names with nicknames and I don't see where the confusion comes in to play. Sometimes they're called by their formal names and sometimes by their nicknames. No biggie.
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Confusion...
In a rather extreme example, I know a "Bernice." She's known by that name to all and sundry--I have no idea how she got it. Her real name is Bernadette. If either of these were more common, I could certainly see how confusing that could get...
In a rather extreme example, I know a "Bernice." She's known by that name to all and sundry--I have no idea how she got it. Her real name is Bernadette. If either of these were more common, I could certainly see how confusing that could get...
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I generally favor giving the kid a full name on the birth certificate and calling them whatever; if they hate it that much, chances are they'll change it anyways.
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I have no problems with nicknames.
I do have a problem with parents planning the nickname before the child is even born, or after for that matter - I believe nicknames should be left up to the child. The child's formal name is chosen for them, so let them choose their nickname (if they even want one). I also don't like parents choosing a nickname they like, and then finding a formal name to match it up with. That's absurd. That time and energy in finding the formal name AFTER the nickname should be reversed: finding the formal name FIRST.
I also dislike nicknames as formal names, so if need be, then I would prefer parents plan the nickname before the child is born, if it means they will choose a formal name to be put on the birth certificate, etc.
I do have a problem with parents planning the nickname before the child is even born, or after for that matter - I believe nicknames should be left up to the child. The child's formal name is chosen for them, so let them choose their nickname (if they even want one). I also don't like parents choosing a nickname they like, and then finding a formal name to match it up with. That's absurd. That time and energy in finding the formal name AFTER the nickname should be reversed: finding the formal name FIRST.
I also dislike nicknames as formal names, so if need be, then I would prefer parents plan the nickname before the child is born, if it means they will choose a formal name to be put on the birth certificate, etc.
This message was edited 12/16/2004, 2:11 PM
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I believe in formal names, because it lets your child decide.
As for nicknames, it depends. My family is big into nicknames. My nephew Isaac was nicknamed Ikey/Ike. There I think its good it have a full-name, because Ikey/Ike is childish, while Isaac is grown-up. My niece, however, is named Mary Miranda, goes by Miranda,nn Mira. Everyone calls her Mira. Period. There, I think it would have been better for her to have been named Mira.
Also, names like Abby, Katie, Joey, etc have a very childish sound to them. People with those types of names are less likely to be taken seriously. With Abigail, Catherine and Joseph, however, you don't have that problem.
Names really affect a person, for the rest of their life. That's why it is so important to choose a name that people will take seriously, will grow with the child, and preferably one that isn't automatically classified as trashy, pompous or lower-class.
Siri
As for nicknames, it depends. My family is big into nicknames. My nephew Isaac was nicknamed Ikey/Ike. There I think its good it have a full-name, because Ikey/Ike is childish, while Isaac is grown-up. My niece, however, is named Mary Miranda, goes by Miranda,nn Mira. Everyone calls her Mira. Period. There, I think it would have been better for her to have been named Mira.
Also, names like Abby, Katie, Joey, etc have a very childish sound to them. People with those types of names are less likely to be taken seriously. With Abigail, Catherine and Joseph, however, you don't have that problem.
Names really affect a person, for the rest of their life. That's why it is so important to choose a name that people will take seriously, will grow with the child, and preferably one that isn't automatically classified as trashy, pompous or lower-class.
Siri
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It depends ...
if you like the formal version & there is any possibility that you would like to give your child the option I would use it. However, there are exceptions like you really hate the full name (as is the case w/ us and Maggie, we hate Margaret or Ben & Benjamin), or if its a shorter version that is acceptable (like Lily or Maggie, more & more), but for something like Charles whats the big deal? As for Katherine I would never name my child Katie, but would consider Kate w/ Katie as a nn. Furthermore, the argument that certain names don't suit certain professions is just nonsense and you'll find every name in every socio-economic category (Candys can be anchors & Elizabeths can be strippers).
if you like the formal version & there is any possibility that you would like to give your child the option I would use it. However, there are exceptions like you really hate the full name (as is the case w/ us and Maggie, we hate Margaret or Ben & Benjamin), or if its a shorter version that is acceptable (like Lily or Maggie, more & more), but for something like Charles whats the big deal? As for Katherine I would never name my child Katie, but would consider Kate w/ Katie as a nn. Furthermore, the argument that certain names don't suit certain professions is just nonsense and you'll find every name in every socio-economic category (Candys can be anchors & Elizabeths can be strippers).
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True that you'll find every name in every socio-economic class...
but its also true (due to numerous studies done on the subject) that prove that people are judged on their name... Its a fact of life.
Siri
but its also true (due to numerous studies done on the subject) that prove that people are judged on their name... Its a fact of life.
Siri
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Nicknames like Alex and Chris are okay, but what's the point of naming your kid, let's say, William if you're going to call him Billy 99.9% of the time? He'll probably be known as Billy for the rest of his life anyway, so why complicate things? Just put Billy on the birth certificate! (IMO, of course.)
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God, that's awfully stereotypical.
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Hmm I wasn't meaning to be stereotypical, of course anyone can have any name, but certainly some names would sound a bit silly in some situations. For example, my friend Caroline always, always goes by Caz, but what if, say, she received a knighthood one day and became "Dame"? Dame Caz just isn't right, whereas Dame Caroline is OK
S xx
S xx
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same reason I think a lot of people do it...
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