Nickname as First Name?

HappyMommy1

My DD's name is Sadie, which is a diminutive form of Sarah, my Grandmother's name. We LOVE her name and it fits her perfect. But we can't pick a name for DS. My husband likes Charles, which is his dad's middle name. I really really don't like this name. I do, however, like Charlie. And even though DD has a nn as her first name, I'm not sure if Charlie would make an acceptable first name for DS. I'm always appreciative of your thoughts. Thanks!

magsugar13

Name him Charles and call him Charlie nft

elizjane26

I say name him Charlie.

Emiliana7

magsugar13:

Name him Charles and call him Charlie nft

this. Because it will give your son options when he is older. I have a nephew in law who's name is Frankie- sure he can go by Frank when he is older, so that is an option- but when I first met him I thought maybe his 'real' name was Francis or something like that, but no- his given name is Frankie, I can't see myself using a lawyer or doctor named Frankie... auto mechanic, yes, sure... Kinda the same with Charlie.

plunderb

magsugar13:

Name him Charles and call him Charlie nft

 

starlight8323

I like the nn Charlie!

But if you just go with Charlie, he doesn't have the option of using Charles later in life, if he wants to.

If you really don't like the name Charles, I say go with another name that you both like.

blue+skies

I like Charles nn Charlie better, but I did know someone I went to high school with that had the full name Charley and it fit him. So I think you could do it either way. But if he becomes a doctor or something someday I think Dr. Charles Soandso sounds better than Dr. Charlie Soandso! 

scoutkate

This.  Sadie can stand alone but I don't think Charlie can.

ETA:  oops, I meant to quote the post above this.

mmaassen

I think Charlie is perfectly acceptable as a first name, and if your preference is strong, I think you should go for it.  I don't think it is that uncommon for people to go ahead and use a nickname as the formal name.  My father's name is Larry, not Lawrence.  I can think of about a half dozen other names that people shortened and used as the formal name.  The only hesitation would be that people will probably assume his name is actually Charles and may choose to call him that anyway. 

alliejo725

magsugar13:

Name him Charles and call him Charlie nft

This. Some NN work for FN (Sadie, Lucy), but some do not. Charlie is one of them that doesn't, IMO.

kailua5

Pish posh, rules were meant to be broken.  I agree with you 100%.  Charlie is super cute, but Charles is kinda dorky.  Go ahead and name him Charlie!  I'm all about shortening the first name, especially for a boy.  My fave names are Sam and Ben and everyone gets irritated that I probably won't use Samuel or Benjamin.  Why does it have to be so formal?  Go with it!

EastCoastBride

I agree w/ the Charles as a fn group.  You just don't know the kind of person  you're son is going to grow to be, what career he's going to go into, etc.

Having "Charlie" as his only name could end up being frustrating for him.  It may not fit his adult personality or his career. 

sunnyday016

IMO Charlie is too informal. Name him Charles so he'll have the option of having a more formal name. This is exactly the same reason that we named DD Sophia, but call her Sophie.

sugarland726

A friend of mine is named Cindy. Not Cynthia, just Cindy. Everyone assumes that her name is Cynthia though (like for legal papers). Her mother hated the name Cynthia but loved Cindy. If you name him Charlie people will assume the birth certificate will say Charles. Do with that what you may.

JaysonandKristin

I've got a Hank - not Henry.  Look at how many Hanks there are - FAMOUS Hanks.  Look at how many famous Charlies there are...  Men born as Charles or Carlos often go by Charlie in the professional world. 

Look at how Henry and Hank are related - where the hell do you get Hank from Henry?  Where do you get *** from Richard?  There's no reason that if your son is born Charlie, he can't be referred to as Charles later in life.  

 

Mrs.Saxy

I dislike full names made into nicknames, so my DS is just Alex.

My friend's DS is just Charlie, and actually my friend's name is Jenny, not Jennifer. My other friend's DD is just Kate.

starlight8323

JaysonandKristin:

I've got a Hank - not Henry.  Look at how many Hanks there are - FAMOUS Hanks.  Look at how many famous Charlies there are...  Men born as Charles or Carlos often go by Charlie in the professional world. 

Look at how Henry and Hank are related - where the hell do you get Hank from Henry?  Where do you get *** from Richard?  There's no reason that if your son is born Charlie, he can't be referred to as Charles later in life.  

Hmm... so you think eventhough your son is named Hank officially, he could go by Henry later, when he wants something more formal? Interesting. Not sure how the guy who signs the diplomas would feel about that.

So you're saying Henry could be kind of a.. nn for Hank? And Richard could be a nn for D!ck? LOL. I suppose Massimiliano could be a nn for Max.