New Post
Search
Help[Opinions] Being nicknamed
Hello everybody.
I'm asking especially people whose names are 7 letters long or more; generally to all the people who are called by a nickname -in the sense of diminutive or abbreviation, for example Maggie for Margaret, Ellie for Elizabeth, Ben for Benjamin, Josh for Joshua etc.
I am always called by an abbreviation of my long name, except for school and official occasions.
I sincerely don't like being nicknamed, because I like my whole name as it is, and it doesn't matter if it's long. Also, in most cases nicknames cut off a part of their meaning to the original names.
What is your experience? Do you prefer being called by your entire name or by a nickname? How do you feel about it? Lemme know. ;-)
P.S. Here is the link of an interesting video about nicknames:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51jIcy7aJMw .
You must never be fearful about what you are doing when it is right. ~Marie Curie
My name list: behindthename.com/pnl/223545
I'm asking especially people whose names are 7 letters long or more; generally to all the people who are called by a nickname -in the sense of diminutive or abbreviation, for example Maggie for Margaret, Ellie for Elizabeth, Ben for Benjamin, Josh for Joshua etc.
I am always called by an abbreviation of my long name, except for school and official occasions.
I sincerely don't like being nicknamed, because I like my whole name as it is, and it doesn't matter if it's long. Also, in most cases nicknames cut off a part of their meaning to the original names.
What is your experience? Do you prefer being called by your entire name or by a nickname? How do you feel about it? Lemme know. ;-)
P.S. Here is the link of an interesting video about nicknames:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51jIcy7aJMw .
You must never be fearful about what you are doing when it is right. ~Marie Curie
My name list: behindthename.com/pnl/223545
Archived Thread - replies disabled
1
Replies
I prefer my full name, I hate the nns
1
My nickname is Val, and I have everyone call me that, I don't like my full name, sometimes I even go my middle name
1
So my entire first name is usually a nickname and so I usually get the "Oh is that short for something?" genre of a question, so the exact opposite problem, but as a funny kind of joke nickname my parents have sometimes called me by a longer version of the name, which also gets its kind of own questions.
1
My eldest is almost 5 and does not like her name being shortened, other than to her own made up nickname, but even still she prefers her full name which is 8 letters and 4 syllables. It really hasn't been an issue to correct people.
My name is Rebecca and I generally prefer when meeting people to go by Rebecca, but friends are fine to use Bec or Bex. Hubbys friends call me Bev as a joke.
My name is Rebecca and I generally prefer when meeting people to go by Rebecca, but friends are fine to use Bec or Bex. Hubbys friends call me Bev as a joke.
This message was edited 6/24/2021, 5:14 PM
1
My birth name is 7 letters long, no one in my school or work ever called me by a nickname (mostly because my name doesn't really lend itself to nicknames, but also because I dislike them). The only nicknames I've had aren't shortened versions of my name, but more like an inside joke (Carolamb, Ceelion) that doesn't get used very often, is what my phone contact is saved as in friends' phones.
In Czech, the culture of nicknaming and diminutives is different than in the US, so I feel very differently about my nicknames there. Either Kájina or Kája, but mostly Kájina, which isn't even a shorter version, just different.
In Czech, the culture of nicknaming and diminutives is different than in the US, so I feel very differently about my nicknames there. Either Kájina or Kája, but mostly Kájina, which isn't even a shorter version, just different.
1
My full name feels more like a nickname as it isn't used often - and my nickname feels as my full name. I love my nickname, so I don't have any problems with it.
1
I grew up this way. I had a rather long, formal name that was NEVER used, not even on official paperwork (I was registered for school under my nickname, for example). I didn't start using my full name until I was in my 20s in university.
I haaaaated my nickname. Hated it with a burning passion. But I felt like an imposter when people used my full name, because I was so used to the nickname! It was an impossible situation.
After I changed my name to something much shorter that doesn't really have any nicknames, I don't have this problem. Very rarely, people try to make a nickname out of it, but it doesn't happen often at all, luckily.
I haaaaated my nickname. Hated it with a burning passion. But I felt like an imposter when people used my full name, because I was so used to the nickname! It was an impossible situation.
After I changed my name to something much shorter that doesn't really have any nicknames, I don't have this problem. Very rarely, people try to make a nickname out of it, but it doesn't happen often at all, luckily.
1
In general, I don't mind nicknames, as long as it's not the person's legal name. One good thing about nicknames is that it differentiates different people with the same given name. In my kindergarten class, there were two boys named Nicholas, and to differentiate the two, one went by Nick instead.
My experience with nicknames is that everybody calls me Steph except for people I'm meeting for the first time, because I always intro myself as Stephanie. My mom also calls me Stephie sometimes, as did my gramma.
My experience with nicknames is that everybody calls me Steph except for people I'm meeting for the first time, because I always intro myself as Stephanie. My mom also calls me Stephie sometimes, as did my gramma.
1
I like being nicknamed hehe, I have so many nicknames. You can just firmly tell them that you prefer to go by your full name.
This message was edited 6/24/2021, 10:31 AM
1
Tell people what you prefer. If they respect you, they'll do what you ask. If they don't, why should you respect them? Just let them be immature all by themselves.
2
I love my full name and the story behind it. However, I don't think it really suits me, so I've started introducing myself by my nn. Luckily it happens to fit me better. It's neutral, short and sweet (literally), still unusual and difficult to source the full name, which is fun. Plus it adds some anonymity online and in general. I also like when my friends and people close to me call me nns. It's a more clear indication of familiarity and a certain level of closeness that I like. But it definitely differs from person to person, and name to (nick)name!
In terms of giving other people nns, it's important that they're comfortable with it. Most of the time they happen organically, and I think that's when they work best. I used to be very against nns for my own (future) kids and names. Mostly because I didn't understand choosing a great full name only to never use it. However, I think there's a good balance. For example, my mum uses a mix of my full name, nicknames, and pet names for me, and it works great! I love my full names, but I also enjoy coming up with nns I love, and they'll probably crop up organically over time. Although I still don't get using a full name only to get to a specific nn.
In terms of giving other people nns, it's important that they're comfortable with it. Most of the time they happen organically, and I think that's when they work best. I used to be very against nns for my own (future) kids and names. Mostly because I didn't understand choosing a great full name only to never use it. However, I think there's a good balance. For example, my mum uses a mix of my full name, nicknames, and pet names for me, and it works great! I love my full names, but I also enjoy coming up with nns I love, and they'll probably crop up organically over time. Although I still don't get using a full name only to get to a specific nn.
This message was edited 6/24/2021, 10:25 AM
1
My name is Caroline and I’ve always gone by Caroline. Some family and friends have what I guess you’d call pet names or affectionate names for me, but they aren’t used all the time. I’ve never gone by a nickname like Carrie or Callie. Both of my sisters have long names and both go by nicknames. I don’t think my sister would even turn around if someone called her Elizabeth, her full name.
I like nicknames for certain names and not others. I like Carrie and Callie and I like Caroline. I’d be fine with a nickname but one didn’t develop and you can’t really force it.
It’s always awkward when a relatively grown person decides they’re going to all the sudden change things up and go by a nickname. It feels so forced and awkward to me, but then again, not my business and totally their right.
I like nicknames for certain names and not others. I like Carrie and Callie and I like Caroline. I’d be fine with a nickname but one didn’t develop and you can’t really force it.
It’s always awkward when a relatively grown person decides they’re going to all the sudden change things up and go by a nickname. It feels so forced and awkward to me, but then again, not my business and totally their right.
1
I've been nicknamed, but not very often. The mother of my childhood best friend called me "Lotty Duncan", I've tried out the nn Lotty as a kid/teen and I've used Charlie on occasion (screen names only), but overall I prefer just Charlotte.
Some people do sometimes (rarely) go for the nickname, but in my experience, people use what you introduce yourself as. The nicknamers are those who are closer friends / family / family friends like my old friend's mother with Lotty Duncan and my mother's best friend also with Lotty.
I don't mind nicknames, I just don't think the names suit me all that well so I don't use them myself, though I accept them when others use them.
My brother, on the other hand, has always gone by a nickname (Alex)
Some people do sometimes (rarely) go for the nickname, but in my experience, people use what you introduce yourself as. The nicknamers are those who are closer friends / family / family friends like my old friend's mother with Lotty Duncan and my mother's best friend also with Lotty.
I don't mind nicknames, I just don't think the names suit me all that well so I don't use them myself, though I accept them when others use them.
My brother, on the other hand, has always gone by a nickname (Alex)
1
Not a big fan of nicknames.
My given name is only six letters long and I have never gone by a nickname. So this does not really apply to me personally. But I prefer to call other people by their full names, unless it's clear they prefer the nickname. Why give a child a fabulous full name, only to shorten it? And if the parent prefers the nickname, then just give them that name and be done with it. Strangers and casual acquaintances should certainly not take it upon themselves to shorten another person's name.
My given name is only six letters long and I have never gone by a nickname. So this does not really apply to me personally. But I prefer to call other people by their full names, unless it's clear they prefer the nickname. Why give a child a fabulous full name, only to shorten it? And if the parent prefers the nickname, then just give them that name and be done with it. Strangers and casual acquaintances should certainly not take it upon themselves to shorten another person's name.
This message was edited 6/24/2021, 6:24 AM
1