Does Lucas have to have a nickname?

teacherjess · April 2012

DH really likes the name Lucas for our DS, due in September. He keeps saying he likes both Lucas and Luke, but I'd prefer to start calling the baby by the name we like best from the beginning just to avoid confusion with family, etc. I feel like Lucas is destined to be shortened to Luke, but I also prefer Lucas.

So...is Lucas too formal? Is it destined to be shortened? I just can't figure out if it's one of those names that will inevitably be a nickname, like Thomas or Christopher.

HannahO28 · April 2012

I like Lucas... I don't think it's too formal, and I don't think it's one of those names that gets shortened automatically.

EXL311 · April 2012

I don't think it will necessarily be shortened if you tell people he goes by Lucas. I love both names but definitely prefer Lucas for a more formal, but not too formal, name.

Allycat11 · April 2012

Lucas definitely does not need to be shortened. Just remember that as he grows up and develops friendships, it is possible other people will shorten it to Luke.

alliejo725 · April 2012

Nobody has to have a nickname. Ever.

I like Lucas on its own.

Amorlinda · April 2012

I have a Lucas... We call him Lucas. I think the name is 'short' enough to not get shortned for a nickname.

duckiegrl · April 2012

Nope. Our little man is named Lucas and we call him Lucas. Even when we go to day care, he's called Lucas there. Side note, DD is named Addison and will respond to Addy but when she's in a mood she'll correct people. So they call her Addison rather than Addy at school because that's what she prefers.

kaleidoskpeyez · April 2012

I don't think it's "destined" to be shortened (unless your LO decides to go by a NN when he gets older). My name is Amanda, and anytime anyone asked if I go by "Mandy," I told them absolutely not. Ultimately, I think that you, YH, and your LO will have final say in the Lucas/Luke decision. If you call him Lucas, others will most likely follow suit.

ETA: In regards to PP's statement that the day care teachers call her child Lucas (per her preference)... I teach pre-school, and we follow a strict "no nickname" policy unless the parents give us permission to use one. I'm sure mine is not the only school to do that. And other students will call your child whatever the teacher calls him, at least while they're young. If he's established as a "Lucas" early, he will likely stay Lucas.

kmpls · April 2012

I went to school with a Lucas and he always went by Lucas. Never heard him called anything else.

ChristyML · April 2012

I have a cousin named Lucas, but he now goes by Luke. I really like the name Lucas and it was on my list for about a day, but then I realized I didn't want to name my child after any of my cousins (it would just be weird to me....). My cousin's mom calls him Lucas all the time though.

I agree with pp that no one has to have a nickname. My actual name is Christy (not Christina or Christine) and when anyone calls me Chris, I politely correct them that it's Christy. I have a brother named Andrew, and he goes by Andrew.

I think if you correct people early on (I don't think Lucas is a name that people would automatically shorten), I don't think it would be a problem.

Also, Luke and Lucas are actually different names. Luke is one of the gospels in the Bible (and his name wasn't Lucas), and when I think of the name Lucas, I either think of my cousin or of George Lucas. So I don't think people would shorten it.

LollipopsAndCrisps · April 2012

If you want him to be Lucas, call him Lucas. I don't think it's too formal.

braveangel2 · April 2012

No, it doesn't. Lucas is my friend's son's name, and he's Lucas. My daugthers have 8-letter long names with a variety of popular nicknames, and they go by their full. I actually think Lucas would be easier to keep full, but that's just my personal excperience. Once you decide, it's pretty easy to reinforce.

braveangel2 · April 2012

Wait...your daugther is Leah? Boy that's close. I'd avoid Luke if at all possible then, but you're still going to get comments.

mamainseptember · April 2012

My friend has a son who's name is Lucas (16 months). They and everyone else, call him Lucas. No one shorten's it to Luke. I also have a friend who's son is in 1st grade named Lucas. He was always Lucas until school, now his friends call him Luke and so does the teacher. It will probably get shortened eventually. I have a cousin named Alessandra, my aunt and uncle were DEMANDING that she be called Alessandra. She started pre-school in September and she is now Allie. Kids will shorten names =/