Using a nickname as a first name?

Question

I like the names Abi or Abby, but not Abigail. Could I just use that name or would that be pointless and stupid?

Answer 1

Go for Abby! My kid's names are what might be considered nicknames. Trace (nickname of Tracy) and Toby (Tobias). I don't like either of the "full" names. If we have another baby boy, we'll name it Ty-like someone else put on here, not Tyson, not Tyler or anything else, just Ty. You can always give her a more "grown-up" middle name that she could use in case she doesn't want to use her first name when she gets older-that's what I did. Their middle names are Anthony and Matthew respectively.

Answer 2

Using Abi or Abby is not pointless or stupid at all! I know several people that use Abby as the first name, not Abigail. Abby is a great name!

Answer 3

I think Abby is fine, but Abi is a bit too "unique." I do think that Abigail is a pretty name though, and would be a good option in case your daughter doesn't like going by Abby as an adult.

I agree with someone else who commented that you could choose a similar name like Abelene; however, I think if you go with such a name, you should spell it the way it's pronounced (Abelena instead of Abelene if it's pronounced with an "a" sound at the end). That would be a pretty name. I don't like Abelone though; isn't that a type of fish?

I'm a big fan of the names Abigail and Abby, and I don't think that they're too common, which is good.

Answer 4

No you could easily just use Abi or Abby. I do not like the name Abigail either but like Abby. And I was going to name my duaghter Abby. I dont think it is pointless

Answer 5

Just name her Abby or Abi then. Most people just name their kid that because it's more formal. Consider when she grows up and gets into a professional career...Will Abi sound mature? I believe it could go either way. It's pointless to name a child something and call them something else.

Answer 6

In my opinion if you don't like Abigail don't use it. Abby is perfectly acceptable.

I have a little boy in my class named Ty - not Tyler or Tyree or Tyrone just Ty. :)

I also have a friend named Katie. Her parents loved Katie but didn't like Katherine, Katelyn, or Kathleen, etc.

The only benefit of using the "real" name is that they have an option of using it rather than their "nickname" when they are older. Abby is such a classic name that it wouldn't matter though...such as Dear Abby...

Another thing that MAY be annoying is when they say, "Oh, is your name Abigail? No, just Abby!" lol

Take Care! SD

Answer 7

I am not one for nicknames at all! I don't like shortening a childs first name. If you know thats what your going to call them then name them that. Chances are when they are grown up they will still go by what they have always been called. I think Abby would be a good first name. I like the spelling Abby best.

Answer 8

I'd give her the official name on paper "Abigail" and then go ahead and call her Abby. I like the idea that kids have an option for when they get older and need a professional-sounding name for their jobs. My name is Catherine and I've always been called Cat and Cathy, but when I'm at work, I like going by my full name since it's more professional.

Answer 9

If you like the name Abby (not Abi - phonetically rhymes with "baby").
How about Abalone? Ambidextrous? for longer names.
Abdominal? Absolutely Not - with Not for a middle name?
Just give her a decent name and don't try to be cute. You're naming an adult who will only be a baby for a few years.

Answer 10

Go with Abigail. Although you'll call her Abby growing up, when she's an adult she'll have a hard time being taken seriously with her childish name.

Say she becomes an attorney, who do you think the potential client will be more likely to go with (and try not to be biased, think realistically) Abby Smith or Abigail Smith? Who sounds more like the pushover and who sounds like the powerhouse?

Just keep that in mind!