Nickname for Pamela

Mommynina9 · May 2014

We are considering Pamela for a girl. Nicknames could be Elle, Ella, Mela, Mimi. Please vote!

roxiewhite · May 2014

I had a friend in high school named "Mimi" and it suited her so well. It sounds a little old-fashioned, but I think it's very cute and unique... even a little feisty.

tamibattle · May 2014

Elle is cute!

LaDyBostonRN · May 2014

I like Ella.

angeltennis3 · May 2014

This is a pet peeve of mine, so sorry if it comes out snarky, that isn't my intent, but if you are planning on calling her something other than her birth name already, why not just name her Elle or Ella or whatever you choose as her "nickname"? Does Pamela have special meaning or is a family name?

Mommynina9 · May 2014

Family name, I like the idea of a nickname personally

Emerald27 · May 2014

I like Mimi for a little girl.

I also like the nicknames Pam and Mel.

Emerald27 · May 2014

angeltennis3 said:
This is a pet peeve of mine, so sorry if it comes out snarky, that isn't my intent, but if you are planning on calling her something other than her birth name already, why not just name her Elle or Ella or whatever you choose as her "nickname"? Does Pamela have special meaning or is a family name?

Nicknames often come naturally for people with longer names. Honestly, it makes a lot of sense to plan a nickname in advance, especially if there are some possible nicknames you really don't like.

Say OP loves Pamela but doesn't like Pam. Makes a lot of sense to me that she might look at other options for nicknames, since it's inevitable that people will want to shorten her name.

ETA: I really don't understand all the hate on nicknames. As long as they're normal and logical (Mike, Michael; Dan, Daniel; Joe, Joseph). They're really not "weird" or anything...I would think you were crazy for telling me I should have put Joe on a Joseph's birth certificate, since I want to use the nickname. Maybe this is a UO, but I think nicknames are cool if you like them.

Jansheski · May 2014

I also like Ella

Dubsgirlie · May 2014

angeltennis3 said:
This is a pet peeve of mine, so sorry if it comes out snarky, that isn't my intent, but if you are planning on calling her something other than her birth name already, why not just name her Elle or Ella or whatever you choose as her "nickname"? Does Pamela have special meaning or is a family name?

I'm with you on this one! We named DS after my FIL who is Andrew. I didn't want him being called Andy so we said, "well we can just call him Drew." But then we decided that if that's what we've decided to call him ahead of time, why not just name him that?!?! Had no problems putting just Drew on the birth certificate. Lol.

FWIW, I think it's different if a name naturally turns into nicknames (ie Joseph - Joe), but weird when people decide ahead of time to call it something else.

manateeliz · May 2014

I love nicknames too, but I do prefer nicknames that are more natural, like for Pamela, Pam. I think Ella or Mimi are too much of a stretch for me personally, and I agree that they might not stick. Also, at some point, you might not be in control of the nickname, so if you really don't like the "common" nickname choice for a name, I would hesitate...I always tell my own nickname story, that my parents were not going to have a nickname for me but would call me Elizabeth, and when I went to school I told everyone my name was Liz, and it stuck. My mom had no say in the matter

Dubsgirlie · May 2014

manateeliz said:
I love nicknames too, but I do prefer nicknames that are more natural, like for Pamela, Pam. I think Ella or Mimi are too much of a stretch for me personally, and I agree that they might not stick. Also, at some point, you might not be in control of the nickname, so if you really don't like the "common" nickname choice for a name, I would hesitate...I always tell my own nickname story, that my parents were not going to have a nickname for me but would call me Elizabeth, and when I went to school I told everyone my name was Liz, and it stuck. My mom had no say in the matter

This exactly. We knew that Andy would be a natural nickname that we probably wouldn't be able to avoid with DS if we named him Andrew despite what WE decided to call him.

Sockgnome78 · May 2014

We are naming our son (yes that is the first time I have said that. * We are keeping it under cover until the A/S at the end of June*) Alvin (H dad's name) James (My dad's name, H and my brother's middle names) And we are just calling him AJ. Since we already have an Al. I like the idea of giving our son a nickname before anyone else can.

angeltennis3 · May 2014

Emerald27 said:

angeltennis3 said:
This is a pet peeve of mine, so sorry if it comes out snarky, that isn't my intent, but if you are planning on calling her something other than her birth name already, why not just name her Elle or Ella or whatever you choose as her "nickname"? Does Pamela have special meaning or is a family name?
Nicknames often come naturally for people with longer names. Honestly, it makes a lot of sense to plan a nickname in advance, especially if there are some possible nicknames you really don't like.

Say OP loves Pamela but doesn't like Pam. Makes a lot of sense to me that she might look at other options for nicknames, since it's inevitable that people will want to shorten her name.

ETA: I really don't understand all the hate on nicknames. As long as they're normal and logical (Mike, Michael; Dan, Daniel; Joe, Joseph). They're really not "weird" or anything...I would think you were crazy for telling me I should have put Joe on a Joseph's birth certificate, since I want to use the nickname. Maybe this is a UO, but I think nicknames are cool if you like them.

Nope I get it, and since OP said Pamela is a family name I get it even more. And I get it when maybe a nickname is cute for a kid but not so great for an adult. I also agree that you should think of potential nicknames for names you consider, in case one rubs you the wrong way. My annoyance stems from people who name their kid one name with no intention of ever calling them that, only with the intent of using the nickname (and having no other reason behind it). But, just my two cents! To each their own ;;)

MagentaMouse · May 2014

How bout Mellie? Like the First Lady in Scandal…'cept her name is Melody, but whatevs. I think it's cute!

russinangl · May 2014

My sister in laws name is Pamela and we all call her Pam or Pammy

ladybug0088 · May 2014

I think whatever you decide it will just have to be one of those conversations where you say this is ____ to people. I have lots of students who go by a middle name, nickname, etc. and it's not that big of a deal, but I think it stinks for them to have to go through that every time they meet someone, have a new teacher, substitute, etc.

To me, it's not that big of a deal and I feel like I deal with kids that do this all the time (I have 150 students). My husband's first name is Charles but he goes by his middle name Sam--he's been called Sam his whole life. Just a one time reminder and you're good.

suprsuz · May 2014

Ok. So here's my thought. My son will be called Mickey. No clue what his birth name will be. My brother is Kenneth Michael and we call him Mickey. (Not even sure that Nemo is a boy but thats the plan.)

JessAnnJ · May 2014

I also automatically thought Pam as @C_mo‌ mentioned. That is really the only nickname I have heard for Pamela.

I get using nicknames, but like @manateeliz‌ I prefer more natural nicknames where you automatically know what the real name is based on the nicknames. My name is Jessica and I have been called Jess and Jessie. It was never something that my parents decided people just naturally ended up calling me one of the two. Out of curiosity I googled nicknames for Jessica and people are coming up with some wacky nicknames.

atraveller · May 2014

I like Elle - I had a friend in school named Pamela and she wanted to be called Ella but lots of people still called her Pam. I guess if you establish he nickname early on, you might be able to avoid that. and totally get the it being a family name. I'd say if you really like Pamela, go for it and if you can make the nickname you like stick, great.

jbuck909 · May 2014

Mellie is cute and not too common

PC0909 · May 2014

As a Pamela.... people ALWAYS call me Pam. Just something to consider.

ADH0906 · May 2014

dorothyzbornak97 said:
People will call your child Pam if you name her Pamela.

Also, an intro would be nice since you've never once participated on this board. Just thought it needed to be said.

That's happening a lot lately. Weird.

OP, I think those nicknames are a stretch. Yeah, if you introduce her as Elle people will call her Elle, but I'd seriously scratch my head when I found out her name was Pamela. The two just don't mentally connect for me, but I understand wanting to honor a family name. For what it's worth, my name is Ashley. I introduce myself as Ashley, I sign my emails as Ashley, and total strangers still call me Ash. I don't mind, but people are going to do strange things and you may end up with a Pam.

lrobi13 · May 2014

All I can say is I go by middle name. It has been a pain in my ass for years explaining to people that I most likely will not answer to my first name. So every time I got a new teacher, doctor, employer, etc. I have to explain.

In the grand scheme it is not a big deal but it I plan on calling my children by their given name that I choose. Nicknames are fine but my child will associate mainly with his name. It makes it easier.

But, I do have a co-worker and her daughter's name is one thing but she goes by Maggie and it has no relation to her name. That kid (who is a sophomore in college) doesn't seem to mind as much as I do. Different strokes different folks.

My main deal as an adult is I can't remember which doctor call me what, so in the waiting room when I here my first name and my new married name it takes a few seconds for it to click. Plus people butcher my married name so you never know how they are going to say it. I hate saying it in front of DH because I am pretty sure I say it wrong...whoops.

Sorry I got so chatty... here is a snack

Make a delicious brownie bowl.

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