[Sunnycat]

DH and I had agreed on a name, that I suggested. I have loved this name since I was a kid.

Anyway now DH has gone off it because he thinks it sounds "too ethnic".

He does like a shortened version of the name, but I don't particularly like it compared to the name in its full glory. So he likes the short version and I like the full version but neither of us really like both names.

For example if the name was Catherine, and he only likes Kate (this isn't the name btw).

Would you name a child with a full name if some people are going to call it by the shortened name and others are going to use the full name? Or would it get too confusing?

This post has been edited by Sunnycat: 08/02/2013, 08:45 AM

[noi'mnot]

People will give your child a nickname whatever name you choose, I think. I don't think it's too confusing. Go with the name you love!

[bubmakes3]

Our son is Benjamin.
Before he was born we referred to him as 'Ben' and thought this was the name we woudl use on a daily basis.
Now I find myself calling him Benjamin more often but also use Ben and Benny - DH usually calls him Ben or Benny. Family members (aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents etc) on both sides call him Benny-Boy and at daycare the alternate between BenBen (no idea why?) and Benny too.
If you ask him what his name is he most often says Benny or Benny Boy.
I don't think its to confusing and once he gets older I assume he will choose his own preferred 'name' from all of the ones currently used.

[Tikiboo16]

Why don't you just give the full version and let the child decide which it likes the best when they are old enough?

[RCTP]

We went with "Maggie" as opposed to Margaret (after DH's mum) as we knew we would never refer to her as Margaret anyway so the longer name seemed pointless.

Thought she may be able to use "Mags" if she gets all grown up and thinks "Maggie" is too kiddy

[little lion]

I'd name her Catherine and use that name, Kate could be what DH calls her. Ideally though I'd like to find a name we both really love though.

Anyone else desperate to know the names in question?

[Sunnycat]

Why don't you just give the full version and let the child decide which it likes the best when they are old enough?

Well obviously that will happen but in the meantime I'm asking if it will be too confusing if one parent uses the full name (ethnicity and all) and the other parent uses the shortened Anglo name. I'm not sure if it's a good compromise or two people being too stubborn.

[Cacti]

It's hard to say without knowing how different they are, but I don't think it will cause an issue. My dad called me Lucy when I was little which isn't my name or close to it, but was just the same he called me.

[CallMeProtart]

Kids get called lots of variations of things, I'd do it.

[LottieCait]

I have a Caitlin because DH wanted a Katie but I wanted her to have a longer version. I don't actually particularly like the name Caitlin but DH wouldn't agree Catherine She gets called Cailtlin, Caitie and most often, Kitty. She now prefers Kitty.
So I guess my point is; names evolve anyway so you may not even end up calling her anything to do with her name

If you love the name then just use it.