Anonymous wrote:I think I’d differentiate between a nickname and a different, actual name. Margaret called Molly, or Mimi, or Rita, sure, but not Margaret called Dorothy. Reason being she may well form a connection to the nickname and if it’s a “name” that doesn’t appear anywhere on her license or paperwork that might be sad.

I completely disagree! Sad?! You’re a drama queen. My aunt’s name is Sarah but has gone by Summer for her entire life because her brothers started calling her that before she was born (baby is coming in the summer). It’s never been an issue for her. Her students call her Dr. but her colleagues call her Summer even though Sarah is on her many framed diplomas and articles.

I think this is totally normal. My son and daughter go by nicknames (related ones though). With my son they automatically use his nickname even before I introduced him that way. Like they say Alex but his name is Alexander. My daughter is Elizabeth and it's a struggle to get people to use her nickname. Even her close friends give her birthday cards saying her full name. I think people just want to nickname boys name s more.

I think I’d differentiate between a nickname and a different, actual name. Margaret called Molly, or Mimi, or Rita, sure, but not Margaret called Dorothy. Reason being she may well form a connection to the nickname and if it’s a “name” that doesn’t appear anywhere on her license or paperwork that might be sad.

Anonymous wrote:At school she will be called Larla every year at the beginning until she gets her teacher to remember that she goes by GiGi.

That’s not a huge hardship. I’m an Elizabeth who goes by Beth. You tell them once and they get it.

Fine and not confusing at all. People generally just use whatever name they're initially given. My son's both go by one of their middle names and one of them goes by a nickname of his middle name.

Anonymous wrote:Very upper class. Probably from the days when kids were almost always named after a living family member in the WASP world.

And anything that takes a one phrase explanation isn’t confusing! “Everyone calls me Pip”.

+1.

At school she will be called Larla every year at the beginning until she gets her teacher to remember that she goes by GiGi.

Very upper class. Probably from the days when kids were almost always named after a living family member in the WASP world.

And anything that takes a one phrase explanation isn’t confusing! “Everyone calls me Pip”.

Lots of people have done this and kept the nickname. Tipper Gore comes to mind.

I think it’s cute especially when a sibling gives the baby a name that sticks.

We did it with our DD and so far no issues at all.

I’ve been called and introduce myself by an unrelated nickname all my life and it’s never been a problem. Like Rory for Lorelei on Gilmore Girls. Plus you always know when you’re getting a sales call.

Anonymous wrote:Is it a problem for a child later?

We want to name our baby for my recently deceased MIL but call her an unrelated nickname. My DH wants to honor his mother but thinks hearing her name will make him sad. Calling her by her middle name isn’t an option since it will be my last name.

Like (but not this) calling her Summer when her real name is Margaret.

I think having 2 first names, like Margaret Summer Smith Jones, would be easier than having to explain over and over.

I don’t think it’s a problem and know several people who have done it. Though in a couple cases, the person chose to drop the nn when they went to college or started working. So now most people call them by their given name and just their parents/siblings/childhood friends use the nn.

If you are okay with that, I see no issue.

It's not a problem, but maybe you should just pick a different name other than Margaret if DH will be sad hearing it. Because your DD very well may wake up one day and say "I hate being called Summer. From now on, I will only respond to Margaret."

So maybe name your kid Maria or Megan or Marissa or Meredith or Matilda or Marigold or something else that starts with M.

Is it a problem for a child later?

We want to name our baby for my recently deceased MIL but call her an unrelated nickname. My DH wants to honor his mother but thinks hearing her name will make him sad. Calling her by her middle name isn’t an option since it will be my last name.

Like (but not this) calling her Summer when her real name is Margaret.