Will Thomas definitely be called Tommy or Tom?

wellfleet04 · February 2009

We both love the name Thomas, but I really HATE Tommy and would prefer to stay away from Tom. Would he definitely be called Tommy or Tom do you think? I just feel like Thomas is one of those names that always gets shortened to the nickname since there is only one (unlike William, which could be Billy or Will or whatever). WDYT?

LMS05 · February 2009

He will probably be called Tommy or Tom as he gets older. DH is named Phillip and people started calling him Phil in high school. His parents HATE the name Phil and get mad when people call him that. I just think they are dumb for naming him Phillip because Phil is a common nn and they obviously hate that nn.?

*Scuzzlebutt* · February 2009

I have a cousin named Thomas who was called Tommy from day one. Now, at 18, he's Tom. BUT...I have a friend who named her son Thomas and she insisted that his name is NOT Tommy from the day he was born, and we all call him Thomas. I think that it does tend to get shortened, but ultimately you (the parents) need to be the ones to put an end to that right away. Call him Thomas when talking to him so HE knows his name. Make sure friends and family know his name is Thomas. I think it can stick if you make the effort.

cedens · February 2009

I dont like the nickname tom either so i dont blame you- tommy isnt so bad (i am biased cause i have an uncle tommy haha) but i love full names and when full names are used as the only name ~ i like the name thomas a lot

if the child is taught their name is thomas from day 1 and NOT tommy or tom (specifically told that they are not to be called tommy or tom) then i think it's do-able~ the child will begin to correct ppl.

my father's name is william and was specifically told not to be called Bill or Will or Willy haha~ it worked!

ETA: you will get some random ppl that dont know your family well that will shorten it but that's expected~ obviously then they dont know you well enough for you to care! just simply correct strangers or new acquaintances.

Eros · February 2009

DH's father was Thomas. No one ever called him Tom or Tommy because his family insisted he be called Thomas. I think if you are consistent with it, you can impact what other people call your child. However, I think you have to consider that DS may not have the same preferences as you and might choose to go by Tom or Tommy on his own.

pinktulips · February 2009

I know a Thomas who only goes by Thomas, no nn.

brightning · February 2009

I have uncles named Patrick, Raymond and Michael who are NOT Pat, Ray and Mike, they go by their real names. So I think Thomas can stand alone, too.

LMS05 · February 2009

Remember that he may WANT to be called Tommy or Tom. It's his name and he should be allowed to be called something else.?

AprilCachet · February 2009

pinktulips:
I know a Thomas who only goes by Thomas, no nn.

Ditto?

J+R · February 2009

I think that if you always call him Thomas you can "train" people to call him that... When he is older he can decide if he wants to use Tommy/Tom.

ps - GO SOX

JoyGotDots · February 2009

My brothers are Michael and Matthew. They were called Michael and Matthew until they were in junior high and decided to go by Mike and Matt. The family still calls them Michael and Matthew. So, yes, it's doable. As PP mentioned, he may decide to go as Tom when he's older.

easjer05 · February 2009

Eros:
However, I think you have to consider that DS may not have the same preferences as you and might choose to go by Tom or Tommy on his own.

Yep. That. My name has a variety of nicknames, and my family call me by one, but I choose to go by full name. Likewise, a friend of mine with a similar name chose to shorten it, though her parents hate the nn.

tct1219 · February 2009

i think as long as you introduce him as "thomas" and if he always wants to go by thomas, there won't be any problem with nicknames.

thenewmrsrussell · February 2009

I would say definitely, yes.

IU_baby · February 2009

My brother is Thomas and he was Tommy when he was little and he goes by Tom now. You can always call him Thomas, but he may choose to go by Tom or Tommy.

smiley007 · February 2009

Yeah I agree it's a name that will def get shortened.

LoriFalce · February 2009

My Joseph is never called Joe or Joey.

Will he want his friends to call him something other than Joseph when he's in high school or college? That won't be up to me. But his mom will ALWAYS call him Joseph.

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