Why nn?

JCapp8306

Why do so many people want to use nn for their children? ?My SIL did this for all her children, "I'll name him XYZ and we'll call him X for short."

I think this bugs me because, one of my biggest pet peeves is when people assume to shorten names. ?For example my name, Jaclyn becomes Jackie. ?I didn't introduce myself as Jackie, so don't call me that.

WDYT? ?I think I'm just crazy.

sherron and troy

I agree. I HATE nicknames (for my children anyway). That said, I have one that I answer to, but only from family. DH can't even call me that. People have always tried to shorten my name to Ronnie - UGH!!

cla40749

I have the same issue. But it's worked out interestingly. Friends call me Sam, but only people really close to me: parents, hubby, In-laws, call me my full name.

*Scuzzlebutt*

I'm not a fan of pre-determined nicknames, but I will admit to wanting one if we'd had a boy.  Our boy name was/is William, for DH's grandfather.  Grandpa goes by Bill.  I hate "Billy" as a nickname and I'm not too fond of "Will" or "Willy" (Or even Bill).  We were going to call the baby Liam right off the bat to put a stop to those nicknames before they even started.  Plus, I like Liam but I wanted him to be able to go by William if he ever wanted to one day.

MrsJLK

My Dh is Michael, and I've always called him Mike.  That's a good thing, though, since my BIL's name is Michael and goes by Michael .  My aunt named her son Zachary and made sure everyone called him that not Zach.

My DD is Alyssa and we haven't called her Aly, although I wouldn't be opposed to it if that's what she wants when she's older.

userdeleted

Well, I do that when thinking about names, and my reasoning is that I want to call my baby/child a nice cutsey name but also give them a formal name that they can use as they grow older. We plan on naming DS #2 Charles and calling him Charlie...but he'll be able to write the more formal "Charles" on his resume, ya know what I mean?

I would find it annoying if people just assumed that I wanted to go by a nick name though. I would consider it rude to call someone anything other than what they introduced themself as. 

berry25

My parents gave me a nickname that was more cute and girly than my full name.  This way I could grow into my name.  Professionally and with people I don't know as well, I go by my full name but my close friends and family call me by my nn.  I have found that people call me what I introduce myself as - I don't get called by my nn by people who I introduce myself to using my full name.  It's never been a problem. 

epphd

Tell me about it.  I introduce myself as "Elizabeth" and people will literally say "Nice to meet you, Liz."  WTF?

On the other hand, my MIL has three children, Catherine, David and Daniel.  She will ONLY call them that, despite the fact they go bay Cate, Dave and Dan.

I think it's helpful to consider what nns might derive from a name - and if you like a nn but think the full name might be more suitable as an adult it's a good compromise.

 

epphd

*Scuzzlebutt*:

I'm not a fan of pre-determined nicknames, but I will admit to wanting one if we'd had a boy.  Our boy name was/is William, for DH's grandfather.  Grandpa goes by Bill.  I hate "Billy" as a nickname and I'm not too fond of "Will" or "Willy" (Or even Bill).  We were going to call the baby Liam right off the bat to put a stop to those nicknames before they even started.  Plus, I like Liam but I wanted him to be able to go by William if he ever wanted to one day.

Scuzzle - that's one of my favorite boy names.  DH is very close to his Uncle Bill and cousin Billy, and I think keeping the William tradition with a different nn is great. Plus, I do think Liam is a great name!

MrsTeague

A lot of the time it doesn't matter if you don't want your kids to have a nickname. My DH is Matthew. His whole family calls him that, and that's what he introduces himself as. During school, and now at work people always shorten it to Matt.

I'm thinking that people will probably shorten it anyway, so I might as well pick something I like the nickname for.

smismar

I actually have more of a problem when people give their kids nn as full names.  It's a real peeve of mine (because of my own name, I suppose).

jaredswife

I think to plan on using a nn all the time for your child is ridiculous.  But, to consider which nn you like or approve of for other people to use is ok. 

kd1977

I know a lot of people that do not like their names shortened.  I named my son Anthony with the hopes that he would be called that and everyone shortens it to Tony.  I've given up and he just goes by Tony. 

DarcyLongfellow

I absolutely adore nicknames.  And honestly, I kind of really like the ones that aren't all that directly related to the name (ie, Ned for Edward instead of Katie for Katherine, or Libby instead of Liz for Elizabeth).

I have a HUGE problem with people naming their children nicknames.  People post on here all the time saying things like, "If you're going to call your kid Charlie, then you should just name him that instead of naming him Charles."  I think this kind of reasoning is ignorant, to be perfectly honest.  A child should not have to go through life with a child-like nickname.  Everyone needs a grown up, mature name to put on a resume.  What if your kid ends up as CEO of a company?  Who's going to take her seriously if her given name is Lizzie?

I also don't think it's ridiculous at all to plan on a certain nickname. 

I can, however, totally understand wanting people to call your child by his full name -- ie, William not Billy, etc.  That would be very frustrating!

pghctwife

DarcyLongfellow:

I absolutely adore nicknames.  And honestly, I kind of really like the ones that aren't all that directly related to the name (ie, Ned for Edward instead of Katie for Katherine, or Libby instead of Liz for Elizabeth).

I have a HUGE problem with people naming their children nicknames.  People post on here all the time saying things like, "If you're going to call your kid Charlie, then you should just name him that instead of naming him Charles."  I think this kind of reasoning is ignorant, to be perfectly honest.  A child should not have to go through life with a child-like nickname.  Everyone needs a grown up, mature name to put on a resume.  What if your kid ends up as CEO of a company?  Who's going to take her seriously if her given name is Lizzie?

I also don't think it's ridiculous at all to plan on a certain nickname. 

I can, however, totally understand wanting people to call your child by his full name -- ie, William not Billy, etc.  That would be very frustrating!

ITA. I have a thing for girls names that can be nicknamed (for some reason not as concerned for boys).

Corinneallyson

Nicknames happen - whether by you, or by friends later on in life. I look at it as "what will this child be called, at some point", and make sure it's something I can deal with. I like William - I hate Bill. Ya know?

JCapp8306

Thank you ladies... you all made very good points.?