https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 02 Aug 2026 10:39:45 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-use-a-nicknames-vs-the-full-name#post-1195539 Mon, 04 Nov 2013 16:30:47 +0000 MrsTiz 1195539@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our LO is Jackson, whom I call Jack. We gave him a long name because DH felt he should have a longer name, a more adult name (though I thin Jack is an older name, but whatever) I didn't care because either way he's still Jack to is! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-use-a-nicknames-vs-the-full-name#post-1195510 Mon, 04 Nov 2013 16:18:19 +0000 shinymama 1195510@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our boys have traditional Spanish names because we wanted names that our non-English speaking grandmas could pronounce. The irony of it is that their nicknames - coined after they were born - have nothing to do with their given names and are not Spanish at all. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-use-a-nicknames-vs-the-full-name#post-1195489 Mon, 04 Nov 2013 16:12:01 +0000 deerylou 1195489@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Absolutely the same as @EMG86:. We actually debated making her nickname her legal name, especially with her full name being a little more popular, these days. However, her name is so lovely (in my opinion, of course), and I wanted to give her the option of going by either, especially as an adult. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-use-a-nicknames-vs-the-full-name#post-1195447 Mon, 04 Nov 2013 16:00:08 +0000 emg86 1195447@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We use her nickname 99% of the time &amp; it was picked out before her actual name. We were going to use her nickname as her first name but thought she would (maybe) appreciate a more "formal" name one day...in case she's the president or something :wink: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-use-a-nicknames-vs-the-full-name#post-1195394 Mon, 04 Nov 2013 15:35:52 +0000 Vegmama 1195394@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If Baby S is a boy, we're naming him Ari ... We love the name, but it is a nickname. His full name will be "Aristotle", and I know that we'll rarely call him that. But, for later in life, he might want the option. For a girl, the name we're leaning towards has 5 different nickname options, but that didn't sway our choice either way. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-use-a-nicknames-vs-the-full-name#post-1195368 Mon, 04 Nov 2013 15:22:11 +0000 LuLu Mom 1195368@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I chose LO's name because I liked the nickname a lot, but wanted her to have a full professional name that was more mature for when she got older. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-use-a-nicknames-vs-the-full-name#post-1194957 Mon, 04 Nov 2013 13:09:22 +0000 looch 1194957@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I call my son by his full first name, even though it shortens quite easily. It just fits him, even though I had every intention to use the nickname, it doesn't stick!</p> <p>It was a big trend when my son was born (abroad) to give kids short names, like Mike and Kim. I don't know why that is! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-use-a-nicknames-vs-the-full-name#post-1194903 Mon, 04 Nov 2013 12:51:09 +0000 mrs. wagon 1194903@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have always wanted my kids to have traditional, formal-sounding names. But I find it odd to call babies by these adult-sounding names. So we picked nicknames and absolutely love both the full name and the nickname. </p> <p>I actually picked LMW's nickname first and almost didn't name her that because I didn't think there was a full name. Then I looked up celebrities with that nickname and many of them had the same formal, full name that we had on our final list... so we went with it! (Josephine / Jodie) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-use-a-nicknames-vs-the-full-name#post-1194830 Mon, 04 Nov 2013 12:33:27 +0000 purrpletulips 1194830@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My grandmother gave my mother a name with several nicknames but then picked the one she liked best and used that so people would know what to call her.</p> <p>We named both DD and DS names that have nicknames but have choosen to call each their full name with the thoughts that if they want to go by a nickname that is up to them later in life. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-use-a-nicknames-vs-the-full-name#post-1194074 Sun, 03 Nov 2013 21:53:31 +0000 jhd 1194074@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My parents shortened my name when I was little and then I started going by my full name in college. I still use my full name professionally and most close friends and family call me by the shorter version of my name. I like it that way! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-use-a-nicknames-vs-the-full-name#post-1193303 Sun, 03 Nov 2013 08:39:39 +0000 loveisstrange 1193303@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We picked out the nn Charlie before C was even born. We're not fans of the other, more common, nns that are associated with her name, so we felt like we could head that off by telling people she already has one.</p> <p>To be honest, we never use it. We call her by her full name most of the time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-use-a-nicknames-vs-the-full-name#post-1193186 Sun, 03 Nov 2013 01:21:09 +0000 Sapphiresun 1193186@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think if you have a name with multiple nicknames it's good to establish right away what you're going to go with. We strongly considered Alexandra for a name, but didn't want Alex as a nickname; we would have preferred Lexie. </p> <p>We went with Natalie, and I HATE when people shorten it to Nattie, and don't really like Nat either, so we're just careful to refer to her by full name or unrelated pet names. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-use-a-nicknames-vs-the-full-name#post-1193176 Sat, 02 Nov 2013 23:48:02 +0000 MamaJ 1193176@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Well I purposely gave my LO a name that doesn't have or require a nickname because I have a long name (the name you referenced in your post actually). I don't like when people shorten my name. I always go by my full name. When people ask if I go by the nicknames I always say no... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-use-a-nicknames-vs-the-full-name#post-1193169 Sat, 02 Nov 2013 23:29:03 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 1193169@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@scg00387: thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-use-a-nicknames-vs-the-full-name#post-1193156 Sat, 02 Nov 2013 23:02:55 +0000 SugarplumsMom 1193156@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For the same reason as others have mentioned. I love nicknames and often gravitate towards a nickname first before choosing a full name. A nickname for me is sweet and cutesy, while a full name is something that can be taken more seriously. </p> <p>Interestingly enough, the nickname I wanted to call my daughter before she was born never fit her. I have never called her by that name and it's one of the reasons why I even chose her name to begin with. Funny how things work out! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-use-a-nicknames-vs-the-full-name#post-1193150 Sat, 02 Nov 2013 22:55:50 +0000 immabeetoo 1193150@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Jacks: I love that name/nickname! </p> <p>@sunshineandsushi: That is one of my favorite names/nicknames for a boy too, DH nixed it :(</p> <p>How does a kid know they're in trouble unless they have a nickname/full name! Our reasons have already been stated by PP :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-use-a-nicknames-vs-the-full-name#post-1193141 Sat, 02 Nov 2013 22:31:24 +0000 sunshineandsushi 1193141@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>One of my son's name is Theodore and we have called him Theo since birth. But we picked the name because we loved the nickname. Sometimes people assume his nickname is Teddy and we correct them immediately. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-use-a-nicknames-vs-the-full-name#post-1193137 Sat, 02 Nov 2013 22:25:15 +0000 jill_a55 1193137@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I love nicknames! My husband absolutely hates them though and doesn't see the point. I think nicknames are great if you give a longer first name that might be harder in school for them or just if they are cute! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-use-a-nicknames-vs-the-full-name#post-1193014 Sat, 02 Nov 2013 20:47:56 +0000 MrsF 1193014@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My parents purposefully their three kids names that wouldn't easily have nicknames. I'm not sure why they were so against nicknames. I guess that way you have a little more control over it than if family / friends sort of choose a nickname for your LO... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-use-a-nicknames-vs-the-full-name#post-1193008 Sat, 02 Nov 2013 20:42:11 +0000 beachbee 1193008@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We gave LO a big, three-syllable name and had originally planned on calling her by a nickname based on a shorter version of her given name. But when she was born, I really found that the name wasn't so big for her and we have never used the nickname! We did have a few family and friends who immediately asked "but what are you going to call her?" when we revealed the name... so I'm not sure if they think we should use a nickname, but oh well! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-use-a-nicknames-vs-the-full-name#post-1192998 Sat, 02 Nov 2013 20:31:24 +0000 kjpugs 1192998@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My name is Kelly and I always wished I had a more formal name (like if you're Liz but your formal name is Elizabeth, etc.) Of course we used a name like mine (Effie) for our DD but we didn't like the "formal" name for Effie (I think it was Euphemia?) and DH's grandma Effie was just Effie- no formal name. I do wish she had a formal name that was a little less cute but we loved the name so much we still went with it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-use-a-nicknames-vs-the-full-name#post-1192986 Sat, 02 Nov 2013 20:21:19 +0000 Ellie 1192986@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At first I think you consider possible nicknames in an effort to weed out names that are more succeptible to bullying, etc. And then it becomes part of the name-choosing process.</p> <p>My GGrandma's name was Jennie. Not Jennifer or Jen, she was named Jennie. This was a big reason why we decided to make our girl the nickname version of her name as her proper name. So my daughter's name is Wrennie, not the usual Wren. Like my GG, her real name is sort of a NN, but should she want, she can shorten to Wren. It's reverse way of doing it, I guess </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-use-a-nicknames-vs-the-full-name#post-1192926 Sat, 02 Nov 2013 19:12:55 +0000 oliviaoblivia 1192926@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We picked a four syllable first name for DD. It's a mouthful for a little one, but beautiful for a girl. We were picky about what the nickname would be mostly because my dad has an unfortunate one. His name is Richard and much of our family in South America called him Dicky. No way, no how is our kid being called Dicky, </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-use-a-nicknames-vs-the-full-name#post-1192909 Sat, 02 Nov 2013 18:59:29 +0000 mrsbookworm 1192909@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My sister and I both have long, more formal sounding names. My parents called us by nicknames from birth. I always liked it because I felt like it gave me options. I still go by a nickname while my sister goes by her full name. When we picked a name for LO, I wanted him to have a nickname option as well. I usually call him by his full name, but will break out the nickname once in a while! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-use-a-nicknames-vs-the-full-name#post-1192754 Sat, 02 Nov 2013 17:22:02 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 1192754@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Using a nick name from the start is great if your child's name is long and formal. Katie vs Katherine or Ben vs Benjamin. A nick namr is often more kid-friendly than a full name. In this case I consider the nick names shortened versions of the actual name.</p> <p>Both my parents have fantastic nick names that have absolutely nothing to do with their first names. My mom was bestowed her nick name by her mother at birth upon seeing her. The name stuck. Only people who know my mom professionally call her by her given name. My dad's HS gym teacher couldn't pronounce his last name and gave him his nickname. Only my dad's family calls him by his real name albeit a shortened version. </p> <p>Some nick names evolve over time and others are used from day one. I think people who consider the nick names from day one do so because they don't plan to use the formal name anyway. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-use-a-nicknames-vs-the-full-name#post-1192733 Sat, 02 Nov 2013 16:58:34 +0000 sarac 1192733@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just enjoy nick names. My daughter's name is Beatrix, and I expected to call her Trix, or Trixy. We never once did. She's Bee or Bebe, usually Bebe. I would never have picked that for a name, but that's just how it evolved. But I was never going to run around calling her 'Beatrix' every single time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-use-a-nicknames-vs-the-full-name#post-1192731 Sat, 02 Nov 2013 16:56:27 +0000 Mrs. Pen 1192731@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm a big fan of nicknames. I like shortening names, I think it happens to most people whether the parent instigated it or not. Having a nickname provided also helps prevent against others choosing a nickname for him! Some people wanted to call my son "Jake" or "Jack" based on his name - but we specifically chose his name so he could be called "Cobi" so that eliminated that problem. </p> <p>I like that it gives him two options for names as well - he can decide as he gets older which name he likes best.</p> <p>All of the names I consider for future kidlets are longer names with nicknames. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-use-a-nicknames-vs-the-full-name#post-1192712 Sat, 02 Nov 2013 16:21:07 +0000 Bookish 1192712@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Jacks: same! Our daughter has a big name that is just too much for a kid, but her nickname (just a shortened version) is perfect. We wanted to give her a name that she could choose to use either way, but she's been called her nickname since before birth. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-use-a-nicknames-vs-the-full-name#post-1192700 Sat, 02 Nov 2013 16:00:59 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 1192700@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sunny: I'm expecting she will grow into her big name and use it as she enters high school or at least for formal occasions ( the same way I use my full name). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-use-a-nicknames-vs-the-full-name#post-1192695 Sat, 02 Nov 2013 15:53:28 +0000 BabyMats 1192695@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Gabriel is lo's name but pronounced in Spanish (roll of the tongue) so we call him by his middle name Kano(Japanese name) because we know no one will pronounce it properly. The funny thing is I don't like Gabe as a nick name and people keep calling him that. I didn't think of the nick name thing. So this is an interesting question. </p>