When a child drops a nickname...I know I posted this before...

[unsinkable]

It is so startling to hear him called a different name!

 

Let's say my son's name is AndrewJames. That's not it but it is 2 names written together as one name. But we always called him Drew. 

 

For a while now, he's told people his name is AndrewJames. And people call him that...but now a whole bunch of people call him AJ.

 

And I'm thinking, "He already HAS a nickname!" 

 

And now if I ask people where's Drew, they don't know who I mean. And they'll say, "Oh, AJ?" 

 

:lol:

[Ellie]

I imagine that Mr. Ellie's parents went through the same thing. He was called Ray Jr. and R.C. (his initials) until he went into the Air Force, where people actually called him, you know, his name. ;-)

 

 

I have a cousin whose name is Joseph Benjamin. We always called him Joe Ben. When he went into the Coast Guard, guess what they called him? Joe. His wife, who has only known him as Joe, says she knows right off when she meets someone who knew him when he was growing up, because they'll say Joe Ben (and she has to think for a minute, lol).

[unsinkable]

I imagine that Mr. Ellie's parents went through the same thing. He was called Ray Jr. and R.C. (his initials) until he went into the Air Force, where people actually called him, you know, his name. ;-)

 

 

I have a cousin whose name is Joseph Benjamin. We always called him Joe Ben. When he went into the Coast Guard, guess what they called him? Joe. His wife, who has only known him as Joe, says she knows right off when she meets someone who knew him when he was growing up, because they'll say Joe Ben (and she has to think for a minute, lol).

 

I like Joe Ben and RC! I love nicknames!

 

When my DH was in the air force, most of the guys went by their last name. 

 

My son had the nickname bc his dad is "Andrew."

 

Now my son had even more names...his fake WTM board names.

[Slache]

I imagine that Mr. Ellie's parents went through the same thing. He was called Ray Jr. and R.C. (his initials) until he went into the Air Force, where people actually called him, you know, his name. ;-)

 

Were they equally as shocked when people started calling him Mr. Ellie?

[theYoungerMrsWarde]

My brother as a kid always tried to get people to call him "Chuck E. Cheeses." No one ever did. In high school we joined together a dance group and he manage to introduce himself as Chuck. No one anywhere else called him that. When I used his *real* name, they didn't know who I was talking about. And it was always a jolt to hear them call him Chuck.

 

Name changes are weird. :P

[Impish]

Diva's 'changed' her nickname.

 

Say, from 'Lizzy' to 'Liz'. Dropped the 'ie' sound, but still a shortened version of her name.

 

I'm ok w/it, but Wolf? Yeaaaaah, he's in some serious denial that HIS girl is growing up. I mentioned that a good birthday gift would be either paying for her learner's permit, or driving lessons, and I thought the man was going to pass out.

 

And it wasn't just at the thought of her driving our only vehicle either ;)

[maize]

One of my college apartment mates decided at the beginning freshman year that she wanted to go by her middle name because her first name was so common. We all got to know her by her middle name, and it was always confusing when someone called and asked for her by her first name. Then halfway through the year she decided to switch back to using her first name. I never could remember what I was supposed to call her...

[Cammie]

My brother's name starts with an "A."  When he was little he used to spell his name "Big A, little A, ...."  So we called him "Big A."  Now that he is big I just call him "A" - but it sounds really funny to other people to hear him called just one letter!  When he went to college somehow they started calling him "Q" and it was very confusing!!  I would call on the phone and ask for "A" and they would say "Oh, you mean Q!"

[momto10blessings]

My bro's name is Charles. Our family always called him Charlie, but when he went into the army, he told people to call him Chuck. I can't call him Chuck, just too weird.

[ErinE]

I have siblings who did this. Decades later, I still slip and call them by their nicknames. I consider it the risks of having family; I get to call them by their childhood names. I try not to do it though.

[chiguirre]

T's trying to decide if she wants to stick with her kid nickname or switch to the full version of her name. They're both uncommon and the nickname is the first 2 syllables of her full name, so it's not confusing, but it is disconcerting to have her want to be a grown-up.

[Renthead Mommy]

Before our last move here (two years ago) the then 10 year old wanted to be called CJ.  I told him wait till you move and introduce yourself as CJ, but be prepared for my friends that I make, and their kids to call you Collin, because, well that's what I call you.  He was cool with that and baseball, scouts and most of the homeschool group kids call him CJ.  However it was confusing for the moms because I'd say Collin and their kids were talking about CJ.  But it is a little weird at first when other people started talking to me about CJ.   We move cross country in six week and I expect he will continue to introduce himself as CJ. 

 

We went to visit my mom after her surgery, so she was sort of house bound for awhile.  He played with the kids across the street a lot while we were there.  A week or two after we left, the neighbor came to see my mom and started telling her what a great time her son had with CJ.  Finally my mom asked who CJ was.  The neighbor looked at her like she was crazy not knowing her own grandkid! LOL!

 

When he wanted to make the name change I was fine with it but I made it perfectly clear his father and I would probably never switch.  He fussed at that for a moment, about how it's his name and he should be able to choose.  I told him fine, I would stop calling him Collin from that point on.  He was thrilled.  Then I told him that I would from then on call him Pookie (pet name from babyhood).  And reminded him that when I wanted his attention when we are out in public, I can be very loud....

 

Now he happily goes by CJ from all new friends and Collin by anyone pre name change.  

 

But I do still call him Pookie, but usually only at home.  Usually. 

[Impish]

Before our last move here (two years ago) the then 10 year old wanted to be called CJ.  I told him wait till you move and introduce yourself as CJ, but be prepared for my friends that I make, and their kids to call you Collin, because, well that's what I call you.  He was cool with that and baseball, scouts and most of the homeschool group kids call him CJ.  However it was confusing for the moms because I'd say Collin and their kids were talking about CJ.  But it is a little weird at first when other people started talking to me about CJ.   We move cross country in six week and I expect he will continue to introduce himself as CJ. 

 

We went to visit my mom after her surgery, so she was sort of house bound for awhile.  He played with the kids across the street a lot while we were there.  A week or two after we left, the neighbor came to see my mom and started telling her what a great time her son had with CJ.  Finally my mom asked who CJ was.  The neighbor looked at her like she was crazy not knowing her own grandkid! LOL!

 

When he wanted to make the name change I was fine with it but I made it perfectly clear his father and I would probably never switch.  He fussed at that for a moment, about how it's his name and he should be able to choose.  I told him fine, I would stop calling him Collin from that point on.  He was thrilled.  Then I told him that I would from then on call him Pookie (pet name from babyhood).  And reminded him that when I wanted his attention when we are out in public, I can be very loud....

 

Now he happily goes by CJ from all new friends and Collin by anyone pre name change.  

 

But I do still call him Pookie, but usually only at home.  Usually. 

*snicker*

Diva objects to being 'Diva' on my blog. I suggested that it was better than her Dad's nickname for her when she was younger, "Monkey Butt"

[Renthead Mommy]

*snicker*

Diva objects to being 'Diva' on my blog. I suggested that it was better than her Dad's nickname for her when she was younger, "Monkey Butt"

 

I see a christmas stocking gift in her future...

 

 

[Night Elf]

My DH goes by his full first name, except his family calls him a nickname from when he was little. It's so funny when I visit because I'm the only one who calls him by his given name.

 

My dd shortened her name when she started high school. Per her request, we started using it too. It took a litte while to get used to it, but we figured it was up to her to choose what she wanted to be called.

 

People try to shorten my son's name and he is very clear about going by his first full name. He doesn't like his nickname. It's amazing to me how people will want to call him by a nickname when he never introduced himself as that.

[Belacqua]

It can be a useful screening device, at least. My friend's given name is Giovanni, but he goes by Fred. His secretary knows that anybody who claims to be a close, personal friend of Giovanni (or Gio, or Van) doesn't get put through. The only people who call him by his given name are his parents and sister.

 

One of these days, I should ask him how he got Fred from Giovanni.

[busymama7]

I have been pondering this as my youngest has kinda a big name for a little guy. We call him a weird non name that the 3 year old could say for his long name. It kinda bugs me when other people call him that cause it's not really a name but since we do I guess it's to be expected. I use his full name more often then not though.

 

What really gets under my skin although I try to let it is when people call him the wrong name that is similar. In my head it is a totally other name but it is the first 6 letters of his name. But it's not a nickname for his given name. It's another name. I wish I could think of an example that isn't his name but I really can't. But his given name could have nicknames but this particular name that he gets called is just NOT his name. It's not like Jen for Jennifer. And the name people call him is often shortened too. Most people named that go by a nickname. I am never sure when/how to correct people.

 

Overall I hate nicknames and prefer my kids are called by their whole given name. I was branded a nickname in childhood that was short for my given name. In college I switched to my given name and prefer that. Some family members have a hard time with the change even though I'm now 37. That's understandable but occasionally other people will call me the nickname and I really hate that. Sometimes I kindly correct them but sometimes it's just awkward.

[Amira]

One of my sisters has switched between her given name and her nickname a few times (I'll use Elizabeth and Lizzie as an example).

 

When I see a photo of her from when she was little, I refer to her as Elizabeth because that's what everyone called her then. The baby in those photos is not Lizzie.  But when she was a teenager through her mid-20s, she preferred Lizzie and everyone called her that.  That's the name I still use for her now.  But for the last 10 years she's gone back to Elizabeth and anyone who has met her recently calls her Elizabeth.  So her Facebook page says Lizzie Elizabeth [maiden name] [married name]. It sounds odd to me whenever I hear someone call her Elizabeth

[mom2scouts]

I have a friend named Charles.  Due to his personality, Charles is the only name that fits him and nobody who knows him would ever call him Charlie or Chuck.  His wife says that's how she screens out telemarketers because they usually assume he goes by Charlie.

 

I have a son with a family name that is often shortened, but I dislike the shortened version so I asked my family to use the full version.  All family members, including his wife's family, calls him by his full name, so I'm always a little thrown off when someone talks about him using the nickname.

 

One more:  Our neighbors have a little boy with a Russian name.  When he became a toddler, they started using the nickname commonly associated with that name and that's what my children always called him.  When he started school, they started using an Americanized version of the name at school.  We still call him by the nickname and so does the mother, but the father goes back and forth between the two.  We know him as "nickname", those who didn't meet him until he started school know him as "American name", the parents use both names, and now everybody is confused!

[QueenCat]

Dh was called by a nickname based off of his middle name. He hated it because whenever they lived anywhere that wasn't in the deep south, it was viewed as a feminine name. By middle school, he introduced himself as his middle name because his parents forbade him to go by his first name, since his father was called that name. When he left home, he started going by the nickname for his first name. New family members get confused because he is firm that that they call him by the name he introduces himself by, even if they hear the other feminine name. I stand by his choice 100%.

[73349]

It can be a useful screening device, at least. My friend's given name is Giovanni, but he goes by Fred. His secretary knows that anybody who claims to be a close, personal friend of Giovanni (or Gio, or Van) doesn't get put through.

 

I know someone like this, too. His name is Carl. If you call him and ask for Carl, he tells you you have the wrong number and hangs up on you (though that's how he's listed in the phone book). He goes by Sam. It's not his middle name, either, just a joke that started when he was little.

 

I go by my full first name, which I don't like; only a few family members call me by my childhood nickname, which I will tolerate only from them. They are grandfathered in.

 

I deliberately gave DS a name without any obvious nicknames.

 

[Impish]

I see a christmas stocking gift in her future...

*dying*

Oh, I so gotta find that...where the heck did you find it?

 

My luck, I google 'monkey butt' and it'll be raunchy gorilla lovin'

[Renthead Mommy]

*dying*

Oh, I so gotta find that...where the heck did you find it?

 

My luck, I google 'monkey butt' and it'll be raunchy gorilla lovin'

 

 

I pulled the picture from Walgreens, but it's sold at a number of places in the states.  Google "anti monkey butt" and it should save you the animal porn. 

[AmyontheFarm]

Our Shoppers Drug Mart in Ontario carried it for awhile also.

 

[Barb_]

My dad calls me BarbaraLynn. My mom calls me Barbie. My kids think both are hilarious.

[Guest]

I'm the only one who is allowed to call my older son by his full first name; everybody else calls him by a nickname that makes me look around the room wondering where my ex is.

 

We're still transitioning the baby from "The Baby" to Hisfirstname; even though I love his name and have had six years to get used to it, it still sounds at least as funny to me as a six year old nicknamed "The Baby" sounds to the rest of the world.

 

 

[Meriwether]

My mother's name is Margaret. Growing up people called her Honey. When she moved away, she went by Peg. People from her childhood still call her Hon. Even my cousins call her Hon because that is how their parents refer to her.

[Ivey]

Ds15 has apparently picked up the nickname "Nando" this year. His name is Tiernan (we call him Tierney), which apparently morphed into "Tiernando", then just "Nando". I didn't know until he lost his phone and one of his friends called our house to let him know that he'd found it. That was a confusing conversation!

[Angie in VA]

Were they equally as shocked when people started calling him Mr. Ellie?

<big grin> and Ellie knows why.

 

In fact another post on this thread made me smile again, and Ellie knows why for that one too!

[Belacqua]

Ds15 has apparently picked up the nickname "Nando" this year. His name is Tiernan (we call him Tierney), which apparently morphed into "Tiernando", then just "Nando". I didn't know until he lost his phone and one of his friends called our house to let him know that he'd found it. That was a confusing conversation!

 

It is a great nickname, though. Well done, Nando.

[Mandylubug]

I go by two different names, so does DH and so does one other son... It is quite comical and it isn't something we planned, it just happened.

 

My "professional" acquaintances and people that just do not know me well, call me my legal name Amanda. My family and friends call me by my Mandy. DH says he likes it, if we are out and about and I am greeted as Amanda, he doesn't feel obligated to hang around and will go about his own thing.. if someone greets me as Mandy, he knows he doesn't need to be rude and walk away.

 

DH actually goes by 4 names. I kid you not.. Past Military friends and acquaintances will greet him last name as always. He never hesitates to recognize his name being called either. His family called him a nickname growing up that isn't even on his birth certificate... no where near. stupidest thing ever.... and then all his friends in school shortened this "non name" of his. His work mates and people that do not know him well call him by his legal first name or last name. It is embroidered on his work shirts and we all snicker at it because no one calls him by that name. So, he can be called "Last name" "family nickname" "shortened version of family nickname" or "legal first name" I should add I call him his "shortened nick name" because that is what I learned first. 

 

My middle son was given a legal first name and was called the shortened version as well. He introduces himself not with the nickname until he decides if he is friends or not, and then invites them to call him his nickname.. so, he is following in my footsteps..

 

My dad is also known as Punk by a huge crowd of people... maybe we are just weird name people.

[JuanitaL]

Dh was called by a nickname based off of his middle name. He hated it because whenever they lived anywhere that wasn't in the deep south, it was viewed as a feminine name. By middle school, he introduced himself as his middle name because his parents forbade him to go by his first name, since his father was called that name. When he left home, he started going by the nickname for his first name. New family members get confused because he is firm that that they call him by the name he introduces himself by, even if they hear the other feminine name. I stand by his choice 100%.

 

Now I'm singing  "A Boy Named Sue"

[Audrey]

Audrey doesn't lend itself to any nicknames. My brother's name doesn't either.  My mother said she did that on purpose.

 

 

A cute nickname would have been nice, though. I like most nicknames. 

 

That said, my son's name has a couple of common nicknames, but he never goes by them and will ask anyone who uses one of those nicknames to call him his full first name.  I think it suits him, though.

[OneStepAtATime]

I always know which people know my mom from which times in her life by what they call her.  Family and close friends of her parents from early childhood call her by her nickname.  Friends from middle school/high school call her by her 1st and middle name run together.  Everyone else calls her by her first name. 

 

Names frequently evolve.  And kids sometimes really need a change to feel independent and kind of "own" their own identity.  I have several friends that went through a period where they had friends start calling them something besides what they use at home.  It makes it a bit challenging for parents (and sometimes friends, too), but I do think it is normal.

[Impish]

Audrey doesn't lend itself to any nicknames. My brother's name doesn't either.  My mother said she did that on purpose.

 

 

A cute nickname would have been nice, though. I like most nicknames. 

 

That said, my son's name has a couple of common nicknames, but he never goes by them and will ask anyone who uses one of those nicknames to call him his full first name.  I think it suits him, though.

Hmmm. 'Dree' is about the only one I can think of.

 

Def doesn't go w/the green hair though. *grin*

[Joyofsixreboot]

Both my youngest introduce themselves by their full names but our family and friends use our shortened nickname. All 3 of my boys go by their last name with their friends. It's a guy thing I guess.

[LucyStoner]

I have one brother that was always called Brad, short for Brandon. He moved away and started using Brandon. I personally, have never made the switch. Brad he was and Brad he'll be. No one calls him Brad now except for me, my family, our dad and our other brother.

 

My other brother legally changed his name when he transitioned. Then he tried on like 4 different nicknames. After the 3rd change, I told him I was done with any new names and I was sticking to his legal name. Enough with the name changes. There's only so many my brain can compute.

 

If it was disconcerting for me, it was harder for my parents I am sure.

[Luanne]

My brother Nathan was called Nathan until he got to high school.  Then some of the coaches started calling him Nate.  He was still Nathan at home.  Now my entire family calls him Nate except me.  I still call him Nathan.

 

My daughter is Rebekah.  She was Becky when she was little.  She can't stand to be called Becky.  The only person we can't get to call her Rebekah is my mother.

[Splash]

My younger daughter is called by two different names.  One is a nickname we gave her right when she joined our family (adopted at 9 months) the other non related name we chose for her.  As a baby she was called nickname all the time but around 5 she decided to go by her legal name.  Fine we all switched except her daddy and granddad.  Got everyone trained to say full name and at 11 she decides she'll go by her nickname again.  OK.  This week she turned 13 and thinks maybe its time to go by full name again.   Oh my.  A lot of people think we have three daughters because of this.  Thankfully her older sister has always gone by full name and that's it.