Nicknames as given names have become an increasingly common phenomenon. People now choose Kate over Katherine, Jack over John, and Maggie over Margaret. While these shortened forms are ages old and just as familiar as their original forms, they remain, traditionally speaking, nicknames. Do you really want to be asked repeatedly “What’s that short for?”, only to be met with disappointment and a raised eyebrow when you reply that it’s not short for anything?
Often people choose a nickname to avoid confusion. Why name her Sarah if we’re going to call her Sadie? The answer lies in tradition. On a resume, people may have preconceived notions that Katie is youthful whereas Katherine sounds commanding and authoritative. Likewise, Katherine may choose to go by Kate, Katie, Kathy, or Kat, but little Katie’s options later in life are more limited. The main reason to choose the full name however, is to be in keeping with history. Putting a nickname on the birth certificate is ultimately a bit newfangled. It’s kind of like not using proper grammar because you can make yourself just as easily understood. It’s “ain’t” versus “isn’t.” While sometimes one can slide by in the spoken word, on paper, a colloquialism becomes glaringly evident. Below are some of my favorite nicknames, and their proper name companions.*
LADIES
Beth, Betsy-Elizabeth
Carrie- Caroline, Charlotte
Coco- Caroline, Charlotte, Corinne, Cosima
Ellie- Eleanor, Elena, Elizabeth, Eloise, Elspeth
Fifi- Fiona, Josephine
Gigi- Eugenie, Georgia, Georgina, Georgianna
Hattie- Harriet, Henrietta
Josie- Josephine
Lola- Delores, Laura, Louisa, Penelope
Lottie- Charlotte
Maggie- Magnolia, Margaret
Maisie- Margaret, Mary
Millie- Amelia, Emilia, Matilda, Millicent, Melisande
Molly- Mary
Nora- Eleanor, Eleanora, Leonor, Leonora
Polly- Apolline, Apollonia, Mary, Paula, Pauline
Poppy- Penelope
Posie- Josephine
Rosie- Primrose, Rose, Rosabel, Rosamel, Rosalie, Rosemary, Rosina
Sosie, Susie, Suzy- Susan, Susanna(h), Suzanne
Tillie- Matilda
Trixie- Beatrice, Beatrix
Zuzu, Zsuzsa- Susanna(h)
GENTS
Alex- Alexander (or Alexandra)
Charlie- Charles (or Charlotte)
Dan- Daniel
Dave- David
Hank- Henry
Harry- Harrison, Henry
Jack- John
Joe- Joseph
Rob, Robby- Robert
Sam- Samuel (or Samantha)
Sasha- Alexander
Tom- Thomas
*It is worth noting here that Lucy is not a nickname, but a full name in its own right. Lucille, Lucinda, and Lucienne are derived from Lucy, and not visa versa. This is a common misconception that I’d like to nip in the bud right now!
{ 32 comments… read them below or add one }
Lovely list! I wonder what you think of Eliza, Liza and Lisa and Margo, Greta and Gretchen? While Eliza and Margo strike me as almost enough to stand alone as formal names, the rest seem a bit too brief to me.
And congrats on the blog – LOVE the title, LOL!
As an Elisabeth, Eliza has always struck me as an offshoot that I almost prefer as a nickname rather than a stand alone. That said, Eliza is so often used as a name in its own right, and it might get confusing in this day and age if she were an Elizabeth. Eliza is spunky, classic, and charming at the same time. It has been in use since the sixteenth century, and was common in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries in England. A great name whether a nickname or name in full.
Not a huge fan of Liza or Lisa. Liza is almost so singular that I always think of Liza Minelli, and Lisa is ubiquitous for a 60s or 70s baby. There were a lot of nickname names in the 50s, 60s, and 70s: Judy, Debbie, Nancy, Carly. They’re all dated now, but could come back for a future generation.
Margo, Greta, and Gretchen are derivatives of Margaret. Margo is not a great favorite of mine, though I’ve had difficulty pinpointing why. That it’s a nickname might be it! It began in France as a pet form of Marguerite, and is now in common use as a given name (also Margot). Greta is a German and Scandinavian form of Margareta, and sounds charming to my American ears (reminds me of “The Sound of Music” and the glamorous Greta Garbo). The “-chen” ending in Gretchen is a traditional pet form added to German names (Liebchen is “little love”), so yes, this one still seems nicknamey to me.
ON THE BLOG TITLE: Glad you like it! I would never refer to a baby as “it”, by the way, but so often when they’re in utero before we find out the sex, it becomes nearly impossible not to use “it.” So that’s where that comes from.
Thanks for visiting. I’ll come back to see you at Apmtn.
~Elisabeth
I totally agree with you about the difference of a spoken word verses the written one!! So why should that same logic not apply to names as well. While Katie sounds fine when spoken, when it’s written down on a resume or invitation it seems to be lacking something that Katherine is not.
I love your blog, you’ve worded things in a way that is easy to understand, yet you still sound like you know what your talking about!! Great job, I, as well, LOVE the Title!!
Here here for preserving the English language and the written word!
Thanks for visiting, Tamara. Hope to see you again.
XOX,
Elisabeth
A useful list! I think you’re being a bit generous though. I see the current penchant for nicknames as part of a general trend towards laziness.
“Should we name the baby Kate or Katherine, Dear?”
“Kate. It’s easier to text, darling.”
I spent my youth as a girl who went exclusively by her nickname (Nicki for Nicole). Those extra ten seconds at the start of the school year when I had to tell the teacher to call me Nicki were in no way, shape or form damaging. However, I am eternally grateful that I had “Nicole” on the birth certificate so that when I became a young woman and Nicki suddenly seemed a bit silly, I had an option.
As usual, Nicole, you gave me a good laugh. You’ve reminded me that I had a roommate at camp when I was twelve named Nikki, her full name. Even at that age, I remember thinking that her name was just not a very good idea. I even specifically remember asking her why her parents didn’t name her Nicole! Not very nice, I suppose.
…and BTW, it’s “txt.”
There is a Nikki and a Peggy within my family. They have both expressed their annoyance at being questioned on their full names. There have also been people that would only refer to them as Nicole or Margaret, much to their dismay.
There are a few nicknames as given names that I think stand nicely on their own, Greta and Mia immediately spring to mind. However, I almost always prefer a full version. Options never hurt. Sometimes it can almost be like getting two (or more) great names for the price of one.
Nicknames like Jack for John and Molly for Mary perplex me. Also, almost all of the Johns I have known are short for Jonathan.
Interesting about Lucy and Lucille (etc.). Maybe it is the -y ending, which can be perceived as cutesy, that makes some believe it to be a nickname. Lucille definitely sounds more serious to me, though Lucy is great on her own!
Just as an aside, John is a standalone name. Jon is short for Jonathan. I only know one Jon who uses the J-O-N spelling as a standalone.
harley are katie ARE ALSOME NAMES
I forgot to mention I was so happy to see Matilda listed under Millie! I rarely see this connection made.
I see where you’re coming from, but I don’t necessarily think you’re totally right… particularly because I don’t think nicknames as full names are that new-fangled. The lowest Jack has ever been in popularity in the past century is 167. My grandfather in his eighties is “just” named Jack, and he claims it has served him well…
Oh, good. We welcome dissent!
I don’t think this is a newfangled trend either, which is why I didn’t put it as a “Deadly Trend.”
I know I have a conservative viewpoint when it comes to the nickname thing, but Posy will forever be Josephine to me and Jack forever John. Can’t help myself, no disrespect to your grandfather or anyone who disagrees with me! Obviously on this particular point, a lot of people do. Cheers.
I must say a wholehearted hear hear! I am known variously as Kate, Kat and Katharine (never Kath or Kathy – perish the thought!) but mostly by my given name Katharine and wouldn’t wish it any other way. The way I see it, it’s all about giving a child choices – whereas I can alter between Kate and Katharine depending on mood/situation, a ‘Kate’ can’t very well suddenly extend her name to Katharine can she?
Also proving your point, I’ve noticed a trend amongst a couple of Katie friends of mine, who since the advent of our 20′s have begun to refer to themselves simply as ‘Kate’ in an attempt to sound more ‘grown up’. There. Now, did that sound ‘commanding and authoritative’ to you?!!
Interesting website. I agree with a lot of what you are posting, probably because you are using the same arguments that have been made time and time again over at “Girls’ names”
However, I definately disagree with nicknames as given names being “newfangled”- not even a bit. The SSA list only goes back to 1880- but even that far back there are a multitude of nicknames as given names, even in the top 20 (and especially for girls)
It seems to me that, after the feminist movement, a shift towards more “formal” names for women was started- to help them in the workplace, perhaps. And only recently (by naming standards, anyway) have we started gravitating back towards the less formal, approachable nickname as a given name.
You know SianOna, I actually contradicted myself. In my original post I say this is a “newfangled” trend, and then in a response above, I say it’s not newfangled! Guess I’m a bit of two minds about this. Nora, Nelle, Jodi, Sally, Debbie, Heidi… all originated as derivations of a name and had their hayday in varying decades and even centuries. It may be the change in the actual nickname names that is getting my goat, but you’re right, it’s been a common practice always as a way of getting to many forms of a name. I’ll be interested to follow up on your theory about the feminist movement in names. I definitely give the movement credit for the nineties fascination with “unisex” names for girls as a way of leveling the playing field.
Glad you stopped by M-C. You’re right, a good deal of these points so far are probably fairly familiar– just trying to establish some basics before I delve into all kinds of specialized name lists and topics.
This is appearing more and more here, I think. My next-door neighbours have a young son named Freddie. Cute- for a little boy. But when I do my usual trick of imagining a name on an Oxford Admissions form, I do not think it is appropriate at all. Choose Frederick, or Alfred, or even just Fred! Do not saddle a grown man with a diminutive!
Sorry for the rant, and of course, I may be wrong!
Emma, England
My mother-in-law named her daughter Philippa because she loved the name Pippa. She intended to call Philippa Pippa most of the time and use her full name only occasionally, in formal situations. Unfortunately the nickname Pippa never took off and Philippa has ended up being called Philly or Phil all her life – not bad nicknames per se, but certainly not the one her mother intended for her.
Now that I’m trying to choose a name for my own daughter, I’m struggling with the idea of using full names that I don’t particularly like just to get to a diminutive that I do. Especially when the nickname I like isn’t the most logical shortening of the full name (ie Lottie for Charlotte, Tess for Theresa and Betsy for Elizabeth). I don’t like the names Shar, Terry or Liz, but it would be fair enough if my daughter chose one of those nicknames instead of one of the ones I’d planned for her.
Do you really think people need traditional, formal names to be taken seriously these days? I think the notion is outdated. And I think people who might say “oh, how ignorant and lazy – doesn’t she know that Sadie is short for Sarah?” are just playing silly status games. Many people name their children so-called nicknames in full knowledge, and rejection of, the alternatives.
I love Kate beyond all reason, but do not like Katherine (or Kathryn or Katharine). I wouldn’t want someone to call my child Kathy. Seriously. This is 2009. No one should calling toddlers “Kathy.” So Kate is on my contenders list for our new baby, but Katherine is not.
hello. I love your blog! I know this post is quite old, but I just wanted to say that my name is Nora and I think it can stand on its own very nicely. Not once in my life has someone asked me what it was short for. I love Eleanor as a long form, but I think that it would often be reduced to the very trendy Ellie instead of Nora.
I am so glad I found this website! I have really been enjoying reading it today, and will definitely continue to read, even after my baby is born!
So on the subject of nicknames, what are your thoughts on the importance of having the possibility of a nickname? Some names just aren’t as easy to nickname as Elizabeth or Margaret. My husband and I are seriously considering the name Athena, but my family hates it because they wouldn’t know what to call her other than her full name. Thena? Thea? Not really liking those. But I really enjoy the full name, so maybe a nickname isn’t necessary. What do you think?
Hi, I’m new to this blog, and so far really love it!
On the subject of nicknames, I think it’s great if you have a name that can be shortened to a nickname. My name (Lauren) cannot be shortened, so the only name option I have for myself is my full name. Not such a bad thing but I must say that it gets a bit boring.
My younger brother’s name is Alexander and he has always been called Alexander…we don’t shorten it at all. Just recently his friends at school have started calling him Alex, but I doubt anyone in the family ever will. Mum named him Alexander with the intention of only calling him that.
I fully understand why the idea of giving a child a “full” name vs a nickname might be preferred. The child, as it grows, will have the options to be whichever variant of their given name suits the situation.
However, I’ve fallen in a predicament where I love the nickname as a name. Not out of laziness or cuteness, but out of pure love of the name. My husband and I have chosen Theo for our yet-to-be-conceived son & I’m finding myself trying to just like Theodore.
To me, giving up THE name for a name that I only sort of like doesn’t make sense. Add to that the fact that I do NOT want my child to be called “Ted” or “Teddy” & I’m finding it very hard to hop on the “full” name bandwagon.
As it is, our son will most likely be named Theo. If he decides he wants to use Theodore as a nickname, that’s up to him. I mean, if John can be Jack, Sarah – Sadie, and Mary – Polly, I don’t see any reason why a Kate couldn’t choose to lengthen her name to Katherine and my little Theo couldn’t be Theodore, should the situation arise.
I’ll be happy as long as he doesn’t want to be called Ted. Yuck.
I’m definitely in favour of naming the child the traditional, longer form – so long as that name doesn’t lend itself to another unwanted nickname (like Tiana’s example above – Theodore nn Theo is darling, Ted not so much!).
I believe that longer traditional names just give you more scope. You can keep the longer name for professionalism if required, and reserve nicknames for family and friends. Alternatively, you can change nicknames (I knew a James who was Jamie almost exclusively throughout childhood. Upon reaching university he rapidly ditched Jamie for the much more blokesy Jim).
I must admit, I also prefer the longer versions because I’m a sucker for long names (usually on girls). Alessandra, Valentina, Aurora, Evangeline… heavenly!
Oh! I’m so guilty here! I named two of my three sons “nicknames” simply because I didn’t like the longer, more adult versions. I have a Max, and the only longer name I liked was Maximus, which was a little too Gladiator for me. And yes, I’ve been asked more than once what Max was “short for,” and people tend to call him “Maximilian,” “Maximus,” and “Maxwell” for “long” if you will.
My other son is Jack. And although I knew it was short for John, I took a risk and hoped that many people wouldn’t know that. So far, no one has ever asked what his “real name” is…yet.
And btw, I am so very addicted to your blog.
I love your blog and this post. My husband and I regularly have the debate about whether or not to name a child a name that has a nick name option. I am an Elizabeth who has always been a Beth, I am regularly annoyed that almost everyone tries to call me Liz (a name that does not suit me at all) and my husband is a Matthew, who prefers Matthew, but is always called Matt. Now, I like having endless options, although I have always gone by Beth, never Betsy, Elle, Lizzie etc. and think it would be nice for our children, but my husband hates nicknames and so I am stuck trying to find actual names, which are not nicknames themselves, that cannot be shortened. I think this blog will be very helpful!
Fantastic idea for a blog post Beth! Names that cannot be shortened. I love love LOVE it, and don’t think I’ve tackled the subject before.
I am glad I read this. We named our daughter Helena Joy, but we call her Laney all the time. My husband wanted to just call her Laney, but I really wanted to call her Helena and use Laney as a nickname.
(This coming from an Olivia who most people call Liv)
It is funny too, because most people when they hear my name and my daughter’s name assume I’m Helena and she’s Olivia.
The generation assumption IS amusing. I commend you both for dealing well with it, and for having chosen (or been gifted) such lovely names!
I always thought my parents missed the boat on Olivia, and think it goes so well with my surname. They were among the first to consider Olivia, Sophia, and Isabella in relatively modern times (I have the baby name book notes to prove it), but couldn’t pull the trigger). My father wanted to name me Miranda. If I’d had a sister (pre-1985 mind you), she likely would have been Sophie. My mother wanted to name me Elisabeth, but call me “Lily.” I’m pretty sure this is my new FB/Twitter status.
I am naming my daughter ‘Posy’, a word that came LONG before the name ‘Josephine’. I despise Josephine and all its nicknames, and its meaning, and I see no sensible way that ‘Posy’ came from ‘Josephine’.
What a great topic! Sorry I’m just jumping into it now, but feel like I read it for a reason. My name is Kathryn – but I have ALWAYS gone by Katie or Kate (for very close friends/family).
My mom is stuck in the generation where a child needs to have a long version and go by a nickname. Why? Some names I understand – my husband Timothy goes by Tim – but that’s a give-in I think.
Katie can be a shorter form of Kathryn (and all it’s various spellings), Kathleen, Katrina or Katelyn. Why my parents thought that I’d want to all the sudden change the name that everyone called me for years and years when I got older is beyond me. It’s a totally different name in my opinion.
Funnily enough, we are due with #5 in a few months and are having the darndest time trying to figure out a girls name. We have 4 sons already – Cale (not Caleb), Megersa (born in and adopted from Ethiopia), and twins Thaddeus (nn Thad or Tad) and Shepherd (nn Shep or Sheppy).
If we have a 5th boy we are going to name him Malak (variation of Malachi – chose not to do the full name b/c the nn Kai is so popular – will probably call him Mal or Mac)…
As for a girl – well I have always adored the name Poppy. It is a grandfather name, so that seems to rub my family the wrong way. Tim and I discussed Ophelia with nn Poppy – but I dont want her to constantly have to write out a different name. For myself I have actually run into problems legally where one doc office was billing me twice – once for Kathryn and the other for Katie. Nonsense.
We both like Clementine and Primrose, but just aren’t sure where to go from there…… What are your thoughts on Poppy as a full name? Are there any other forms other than Ophelia or Penelope (pass..) that suggest Poppy?
All the best – love the blog. ALWAYS suggest friends to read it.
May I just say to Kathryn above me, I would absolutely adore your name. I was born Katie Mae, which is such an ugly name and is also stupid and immature. I’m in fact going to change my name to Katherine or Katheryn, and I really don’t understand why people with longer names get embarrassed or whatever. My puppy is called Josephine and my cat, Leonardo, with the nicknames of Josie and Leo, which is probably the most envious thing in the world for me. I genuinely feel like common muck when people ask what it’s long for, and it genuinely makes me cringe to the point of annoyance.
love the blog!
Thanks! Your animals are beautifully named.