Choosing a baby name can be fraught with potential pitfalls, and one mistake could lead to regret. The process involves numerous considerations, from popularity trends to uniqueness. Parents‘ tastes in names also vary widely, adding another layer of complexity.
However, according to a baby name consultant, many parents overlook one crucial aspect when naming their child, which could lead to regret later on. In a TikTok video, naming expert Jessie highlighted the importance of considering potential nicknames before finalising a baby name.
She explained that parents often choose a name they love, intending to avoid its common nickname, only to find it used widely once their child starts school. For instance, if you name your child William but dislike the nickname Will, you may face a lifetime of frustration as others inevitably shorten the name.
Jessie advised: “Whether you’re a nickname person or not, you need to consider every nickname possibility within the names that you’re looking at. Whether you like nicknames or not, they’re going to go to school and people outside of the home are going to be nickname people.
“If there’s a name you love but can’t stand a nickname that is very intuitive to come from it, don’t use the name. I love the name Genevieve, but the thought of my little Evie going to school and going by Gen? It had to come off the list. Same thing if you’re planning for a Magnolia and want to call her Noli, you need to settle with the possibility that she might be Maggie.”
The name guru also advised parents not to fret too much over their child’s name, as there’s a high chance they’ll end up using a moniker “so far from their name”. She revealed that her son is named Pierce, a name chosen specifically because it lacks nicknames – yet her entire family calls him Peeps.
She continued: “The baby in my stomach, the baby I’m carrying, we call her Ducky. We don’t use her name; we call her Ducky. Do I think this is going to change when she’s earthside? No, I don’t. Poor little girl. She’s Ducky.”
Jessie’s advice resonated with many commenters on the video, who shared their own experiences with unwanted nicknames. One person shared: “I so badly wanted a Penelope but I HATED that people might use Penny rather than Nelly so I had to veto.”
Another added: “As a Samantha who goes by Sam, I DESPISE when people use Sammy. I’m fine with close friends and family using it, but hate when others do it.”