Name/Nickname Frustrations Already

lizhurt · March 2016

So my hubby and I finally decided on a boy name after weeks of back and forth, and already I am disappointed in our own family's reaction to the nickname we have chosen. We decided to honor my husband's great grandfather and my father with the name Edward Joseph. I agreed to Edward under the condition that he have the nickname Teddy, because I think it's adorable and more unique than Eddie. My husband agreed and loves it.

Already though, my brother-in-law and father-in-law have questioned Teddy as a nickname for Edward instead of for Theodore. In the case of my brother-in-law, it took internet research to prove to him it was a legit nickname for Edward! I understand it might not be as common a usage these days, but I certainly didn't make up the nickname (I have been using Ted/Teddy Kennedy as reference for anyone questioning it - his first name was Edward).

I just didn't imagine this being such an issue, or that anyone would even care enough to question a nickname. Do you think this is really something I will continually have to explain to people?

SmrBrd2012 · March 2016

This seems like such a non-issue, especially because it's just a nick name. Friends and family will catch on. I foresee him having to explain his name is Edward not Theodore in the future, just because the NN is more commonly used for the latter, but it doesn't seem like a big deal to me. He may not even end up going by Teddy when he's older though.

nurse714 · March 2016

It's a nn. I don't think it matters. MH's nn has absolutely nothing to do with his real name and I never thought it was weird.

jamiesc58 · March 2016

I know many people who have nicknames that don't make any kind of sense with the real name at all. Ex. I know a Millard who goes by Butch, Margaret who goes by Peggy, Robert who goes by Bubba, and more. What you name AND nickname your child is up to you and if you love it use it!

lm45678 · March 2016

You're BIL is a pain in the ass... Yes it's a legit nickname.

But IMO I don't think it matters, it's a nickname for a child that no one has even met yet! He may want to go by Ed, Eddie, EJ, Teddy or even Joseph.

Dont stress about it.

bbiutmcph · March 2016

Teddy is a nickname for Edward it's not like you are using Edward and the nn Sam. Ignore your BiL he sounds like he is just being an ass. I don't think this is something people will actually question

lizhurt · March 2016

bbiutmcph said:

Teddy is a nickname for Edward it's not like you are using Edward and the nn Sam. Ignore your BiL he sounds like he is just being an ass. I don't think this is something people will actually question

Thanks! He can be quite the ass at times lol. I appreciate everyone's feedback! It was just so surprising to me that people even felt the need to question it, and it had me wondering if I would somehow have to justify a legit nickname (I guess I cared more cause that is what the baby will be called all the time - at least until he can decide he prefers something else). I won't stress over it anymore, and if anyone questions, I will just stare blankly at them and blink my eyes until they walk away.

karlimonster · March 2016

You might have to, but screw em. Everyone has an opinion and once he is here they will go with the program. Name him and call him what YOU want.

MWoodside · March 2016

This is precisely why we don't share our name ideas during pregnancy. People keep their mouths shut more easily once baby is born and named. How incredibly rude of him to question you guys. Nicknames don't have to make sense or be the most common nickname choice. he needs to be reminded that if he doesn't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.

ElcaB · March 2016

I never knew Teddy was a nickname for Edward, but I say go for it.

This is exactly why we refuse to discuss any baby names or nicknames with family/friends until our baby is born and we say, "Family, meet ____." No one is going to question it (to your face, anyway) once it's final.

lizhurt · March 2016

ElcaB said:

I never knew Teddy was a nickname for Edward, but I say go for it.

This is exactly why we refuse to discuss any baby names or nicknames with family/friends until our baby is born and we say, "Family, meet ____." No one is going to question it (to your face, anyway) once it's final.

Yeah, that is why I am glad we ONLY shared with family. Everyone else can wait until baby is born. I thought they would all just be head over heels for the fact that we used names from both sides of our family! Oh well, we still love the name and are really happy with our choice

YogaSandy · March 2016

UO here (and I wasn't there, so I don't know how anything was said). I don't think by questioning it, people are automatically asses. I questioned it in my head when I read the post. I had never heard it before. I prob would have googled it too. Not ass-like. I'm an English teacher. I am very interested in words, origins and etymology. I had never heard of Teddy being a nn for Edward - asking about it (and googling) would be my way of learning more.

ETA - then after that (whether it turned out to be legit [not with this example, but any case] or not), even if I didn't like it or thought it was silly, it's not my place to question why, if that's what someone had decided.

virginiaunicorn11 · March 2016

I just was reading an article on how to deal with unwanted parenting advice. The best thing that I read was not to engage because then you give the impression that it's open for discussion. Unless it is open for discussion, no reason to discuss it!
Your idea of the blank stare, OP, is the right idea.

Love the name and the nickname! Congrats on your pregnancy!

PugsandKisses · March 2016

Just a fyi, your kid will probably have more than one NN. My kids do. We picked 'one' when they were born and others have morphed through the years.

CaboBride2015 · March 2016

My LO has so many nn's, I think I give her a new one everyday. I wouldn't worry about it at all. Call him what you want, and maybe those who don't get it will call him by something else. And that will be ok too. Nn's are one of those things that I don't think people should take too seriously or try to plan too much ahead since many times, they just come about randomly.