Nicknames?
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Nicknames?
| Sat, 04-14-2007 - 11:42am |
Hi,
I just had a question about "short" names. I really like Lainey for a girl and Leo for a boy, but DH thinks they cannot stand alone. Do they sound like nicknames? Will people always ask for their "real" names? We are not TTC until next summer, but I really like to pick names in advance. If they are too nicknamey, what nice names could work for Lainey and Leo? Thanks.
Tracy
I just had a question about "short" names. I really like Lainey for a girl and Leo for a boy, but DH thinks they cannot stand alone. Do they sound like nicknames? Will people always ask for their "real" names? We are not TTC until next summer, but I really like to pick names in advance. If they are too nicknamey, what nice names could work for Lainey and Leo? Thanks.
Tracy

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Why shouldn't you just name your child whatever you happen to love, whether it be Precious Iklekins or Sweetiepie Honeybuns? Because while the choice may be up to you, you are making it for someone else. You are making this important decision on behalf of another person who is unable make it herself. She has to live with your choice her entire life. She has to live with it when she wants to be taken seriously, when she's applying for a job, and when she's trying to gain acceptance in her field. It will follow her everywhere, and she won't be able to escape it. You should base your decision not on what you think is cute, but what you think is best for her. If you had to pick a name to represent yourself to the world, would this be the name you would pick? What if you wanted run for president? What if you wanted to be a doctor, a judge, or a member of the clergy? Your child is likely to someday want to be respected and taken seriously. The name 'Lainey' doesn't exactly inspire respect IMO.
The previous poster wonders if one's name even matters, and doesn't think it could cause one to be passed over for a job. Name discrimination does happen. I've seen it. People make assumptions about people based on their names; assumptions about intelligence and socioeconomic status for example. They often act based on these assumptions. If nothing else, your child's name is going to affect her self-perception. If someone wanted to present a serious image to the world but her name was Honeybunie, she would feel self-conscious even if nobody else reacted to her name in any way. If someone loves the name Loviebuttonsfluffybear, should they just go ahead and use it because it's their decision and they should use what they love? Of course not! If they were choosing a name for themselves, it would be nobody's business, but they are choosing a name for another human being. The welfare of that human being should trump the taste of the parents.
At least call your daughter 'Lane.' Give her a choice.
Edited 4/15/2007 11:59 am ET by karamich27
I hardly think that Lainey and Sweetiepie Honeybun are the same thing! While I can appreciate an honest opinion, I hardly think it necessary to be blatantly rude. I think when most people are asking for advice and opinions, they are not anticipating women with daggers waiting in line to completely belittle them or insult their intelligence. I happen to be an extremely intelligent person, who also happens to believe that if we need to name our children something based on what looks good on a resume, then our society is definitely worse off than I originally suspected. I am sorry to be the one to tell some of you...but "work" is not the most important thing in our lives!
I really do appreciate everyone's posts that were heartwarming and kind, regardless of whether they think Lainey and Leo can be names on their own or just nicknames. Thanks again.
Tracy
I think the original intent of this thread has somehow been lost. According to the title line and complete wording, you WANTED to know if these names were too nicknamey, especially since your dh already feels they should not stand alone, AND you asked for formal names these could be shortened forms of ...
"I just had a question about "short" names. I really like Lainey for a girl and Leo for a boy, but DH thinks they cannot stand alone. Do they sound like nicknames? Will people always ask for their "real" names? We are not TTC until next summer, but I really like to pick names in advance. If they are too nicknamey, what nice names could work for Lainey and Leo? Thanks."
If you simply wanted to be told "yes, they're adorably cute and I'd name my child Lainey, Betsy or Fanny as a given name any day!" then you probably didn't really want to ask that question. You've already decided. I realize it's hard to judge tone when all you have is the written word to go by, but simply restating the fact that Lainey IS a cutesy, juvenile form (it is) and pointing out some reasons why it might be thoughtful of you to give her an actual adult name just in case she might ever want one isn't intended to be rude. Nor does it imply that anyone thinks you're less than intelligent or that "work" is the most important thing and all children must be named "based on what looks good on a resume." Fact is, however, you already KNOW Lainey is a childish nn, or you wouldn't have posed this question. I assure you, no one is sitting around in anticipation waiting for just such a post in order to belittle or insult you.
Nicknames are used as familiar pet forms, generally for children or people you have an intimate relationship with (best friends, adult children, grandchildren, etc.). In the past, they began to be used as given names for slaves in an attempt to belittle and degrade them, implying they weren't full human beings worthy of actual formal names (you'll notice the same often applies to the most popular pet names, so hopefully I don't need to further explore this thinking). Therefore, it seems a bit short-sighted to apply that very concept to your own child. Not because you think less of them because of it, but because it can come across as immature or at the very least ignorant -- again, not that YOU are immature or ignorant, or that the name will give that impression to every single person who comes across it, but it's hard to understand why someone would rather gamble on something like that, just *hoping* colleges, employers, etc. wouldn't discriminate in such a way (they most surely do), when it's as simple as giving her a formal name on the birth certificate and calling her whatever your heart desires, KWIM?
Again, I honestly doubt anyone was trying to be rude to you in any way, but if you ask for opinions, you'll get them. I actually just quickly read through the other replies and you'll notice that twice as many found Lainey to be very nicknamey and too cutesy and/or juvenile for a given name. Only three thought it could stand alone, and many of those mentioned liking nicknames such as Izzy, Maxie and "Aarti" as full names, so that's not exactly the objective opinion you seemed to be looking for. Of course there will be a few people who think it works, or we wouldn't have children with Abby, Nikki or Maddy as given names (and you'll notice these always elicit negative reactions when listed in random birth announcements and such). You can't just pick and choose which comments you personally prefer (well you can, but then there's really no point in asking, is there?).
If you like the nn Lainey as a given name, you'll use it. No one will try to stop you or call you names. LOL I think most were just trying to give the honest opinions and personal experience you asked for.
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Tracy
I think Leo is a strong stand alone name. Lainey is quite pretty and I have read this thread and normally I would lean towards a more formal name but I don't think Lainey is terribly cutesy or as awful as some posters seem to think it is and I am pretty traditional. I wouldn't hear Lainey and have a judgement about that fwiw.
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