Name Shortening

[renegadefm]

Why are we obsessed with name shortening?

 

I've often wondered why we give someone a name, only for people to shorten it. 

 

I remember my Father used to get really angry when anyone addressed my Mum as Mon instead of her full name Monica. 

 

I recently noticed a guy who works in B&Q who is head of the showroom section who is called David, but hates being called Dave. He even corrected me and said sorry but my name is David not Dave.

 

My partners daughter was Christened Kimberly but hates being called that and prefers Kim. 

 

Not sure if anyone on here are touchy about name shortening, but why do we do it?

 

It happens in everyday words too, like in hospital nurses might say op instead of operation, or obs for observations. 

 

I know it's nothing new, name shortening is ancient, but are we the only country that does it? I imagine in some languages it wouldn't work. 

[douglas9401]

No idea, rene.

[Old_Geezer]

No idea rene.

Maybe it seems friendlier.

[andy-hughes]

It's just affection.

All my girls  and my grandchildren are addressed by shortened versions of their names.

My wife has never called me 'Andrew' in almost forty-five years, and I hope she never does, I don't like it.

[renegadefm]

Old_Geezer, 

I did think that, but not in all cases shortening a name pleases the person your addressing. 

 

Like the manager in B&Q for example hates being called Dave instead of David.

 

In my experience over my lifetime I have witnessed some very irritated people about name shortening or deliberate lengthening. 

I just remembered my partners daughter hates it if someone calls her son Christopher. She actually gives the person hell, and says he's called Chris. I made this mistake 😒

[jourdain2]

nd a

[jourdain2]

^^^^^ GRRR It's all that remains of a longer answer. I may come back later.

[renegadefm]

Andy-Hughes, 

But I know people who shorten Andrew as Ange, which is awful as it could be an alternative to Angela.

There was a boy in our class at school called Andrew and everyone addressed him as Ange, but he didn't mind it, as he also hated Andrew, but weirdly also hated Andy. 

[barry1010]

It gives an allusion of familiarity and friendliness, indicating that you are liked.  Typical salesperson tactic.

One person insisted on calling me Basildon, an extra syllable. He irritated me.

It does happen in other languages, I don't know if it happens in all.

[jackthehat]

It's not really possible to shorten my name but people have lengthened it, adding a syllable or two. Which is a bit odd, to be honest.

I tend to use my son's 'proper' name rather than the shortened version most other people do.

Mrs JtH rarely uses her full first name, prefering to use a diminutive.

[pastafreak]

Who's obsessed?

We deliberately chose a name for our daughter that could be shortened. Joking that the long version was for stern parental moments. Happy to say that now, the shortened version is always used...37 years later. 😃 

[Ken4155]

Don't know why but i find most females i know address me as Kenny, while my male friends call me Ken.

My parents always used my full name - and not only when they were displeased with me😉

Weirdly, though, my dad always preferred the shortened version of his name when being addressed.

[douglas9401]

"One person insisted on calling me Basildon, an extra syllable. He irritated me."

 

I suppose he thought it would help you bond.

[pastafreak]

Anyone who uses the diminutive of my name gets threatened with a smack. I hate it. I shared my name with a very slightly older cousin of mine ...she got the cute diminutive...thankfully 😍 

[ichkeria]

The Russians are the world champions at diminutives: often for things as well as people. A term of affection. Sometimes the "dimunitives" end up longer than the originals.

[elliemay1]

My SIL calls my brother Thomas when she's annoyed at him but it's Tom at all other times!

[ichkeria]

"My wife has never called me 'Andrew' in almost forty-five years, and I hope she never does, I don't like it."

My brother-in-law is Andy: his parents always called him Andrew, which seemed right coming from them, but to everyone else he's Andy. I have a friend Andrew tho who hates "Andy" and three work colleagues called David, two of who must be "David" and one who is "Dave". All these things are understandable.

[smurfchops]

Bradley Walsh loves doing it. Calls his son Barney... Barnes

[renegadefm]

But you must agree Ange short for Andrew sounds awful in my opinion. But common in my area. Maybe it's just a Cornish thing? 

[dave50]

It as bad as the parents who give their children shortened versions of proper names. 

[DTCwordfan]

My full Greek name with three syllables was the privileged territory of my Mater, no one else, and used when I was in trouble...

Everybody, other than her, condemned to use my one-syllable shortened title - and it's not Sir - maybe it should be?