Why do people pick out names for their babies based on what nickname they can give them?

For example, naming a kid Douglas James just to call him DJ? I think nicknames usually replace really great names, and it's a shame. Just wondering.

Why do people pick out names for their babies based on what nickname they can give them?
Well I can't speak for that example -- picking random names simply for the intials ... that is just BAD lol -- but I've known quite a few people who loved a certain nickname, but were thoughtful enough to give the child a full, formal version. After all, Maggie, Billy or Katie might be "cute" on a child, but that doesn't mean they'll appreciate having to put that cute name on their college applications, resumes, wedding invitations or office name-plates (whatever they choose to do as adults ... you get the idea). Margaret, William and Katherine are much more mature and professional, for when that sort of formality is called for, and it's not like you HAVE to use those particular names, either. Maggie could be for Morrigan, Billy for Willard and Katie for Katerina. You get the idea. ;)





Point is, many parents "pick out names for their babies based on what nickname they can give them" simply because they do love that nickname, but realize it's not substantial enough to stand alone. And bravo to them. It's lovely when parents actually look to their child's future rather than only seeing them as a drooling 9-month-old the entire time. Babies grow up. Giving them a formal name, even if you plan on using a nickname 99% of the time, is doing them a great service! ;)
Reply:My daughter's name is Lexi, and I thought for sure we'd be calling her Lexi Lou, but actually we call her Sissy Sue. Go figure. Has nothing to do with her name, but she totally looks like a Sissy Sue. I don't really think too much about what the nickname is going to be in naming my child, because one look at them and the nickname could totally change anyway.
Reply:I never though about nicknames when I was naming my daughter. Her name is Hannah Margaret and the nicknames that I have for her have nothing to do with her name (things like Love Bug, Baby Cakes, Bambina...) and she goes by Hannah...
Reply:I hate nicknames. If you name your daughter Madison because you like "Maddie", then just use the name Maddie. I also know someone that named their son Everett James, and they just call him E.J. ... it's ridiculous! Why would you take the time to give your child a nice name, and then ruin it by calling him by initials?





When I do have a child, I'm picking a name that can't be changed or shortened into anything else.
Reply:maybe its easier to say then the actual name...maybe the grandparents of the child do not speak english and they need a name that they could say to...
Reply:i thought of nicknames when i named my daughter. my name cannot truley be shortned into a nickname so my father made up nick names for me and to this day i still hate most of them. the worst one is the one that stuck and my relatives still call me it. im 35 and only 98 pounds and my family calls me "moo-moo"
Reply:Well this is just my opinion but.





I think people look at how lots of people shorten names anymore, pamela becomes pam, jennifer becomes jen, Allison becomes alli etc, its shorter and easier to say and i think that people dont want to pick a name that could be shortend to something they dont like for example





i liked desdemona but i dont like mona and wouldnt want people to call her that. I guess people figure that everyone will try to shorten a name anyhow and they might as well pick a name that has a cute nick name they like. so in my case i picked aveline i'd rather people call her avy or ava then mona.
Reply:I didn't do that with either of my sons. I just call them by their names. Or little pet names like honey, sugar, angel, baby, etc.
Reply:We call our son AJ, his name is actually Alexander James Paul (yes, two middle names). He was named for an uncle and two great-grandfathers, and we call him AJ to avoid confusion.