# So, No One Shortens Their First Name Any More? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 2, 2010, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-no-one-shortens-their-first-name-any-more/527414 "2010-02-02T18:17:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![nashiitashii](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7c8e57/32.png) [@nashiitashii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nashiitashii)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2010, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-no-one-shortens-their-first-name-any-more/527414/121 "2010-02-04T01:19:46Z")
I’m a Natasha who’s worked with other Natashas in the past. At my first job, there were three of us, all of whom also went by Tasha. This got confusing really quickly, as we were often scheduled to work the same areas on the same days. We’d just all turn around until the person calling us told us which one they were asking for. I’ve also gotten a number of diminutive versions of Natasha as nicknames over the years (my username is one of them), so I generally respond to a variety of names, with the exclusion of Natalie, Natalia, and Natty; none of them are an acceptable form of my name, and the last one is just weird. Strangely enough, though, I did answer to Anastassia for a couple of days when out partying with people who’d misheard my name and had an easier time pronouncing Anastassia. That said, I’m fairly easygoing with nicknames and have put up with a few that were variations on my last name or an inside joke. ---
**Author:** ![Trepa\_Mayfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/edb3f5/32.png) [@Trepa\_Mayfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trepa_Mayfield)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2010, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-no-one-shortens-their-first-name-any-more/527414/122 "2010-02-04T01:35:58Z")
Since we’re talking about nicknames…if you knew someone named Balthazar, how would you shorten their name? Hypothetically speaking. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2010, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-no-one-shortens-their-first-name-any-more/527414/123 "2010-02-04T02:14:04Z")
> [@Gagundathar](#): > > Shortening a person’s name in my culture is a shooting offense so I don’t have to endure being called ‘Gag’. This is true except for online, of course, where I can’t physically chastise the offender. Where do your people hail from? 'Cause I’m totally moving there. And buying a gun. ---
**Author:** ![Eats\_Crayons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/278dde/32.png) [@Eats\_Crayons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eats_Crayons)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2010, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-no-one-shortens-their-first-name-any-more/527414/124 "2010-02-04T02:33:46Z")
> [@Mollie\_Magill](#): > > Actually, he really impressed his Grand-daddy a while back when they went to a playground together, and Fang insisted the other kids not call him “Nick”. My father started getting called “Bob” in high-school, which he never liked, but could never shake. My cousin’s son totally got his teacher’s attention when he started the first grade. His name is Marcos. He lives in a state with a huge Latino population, but his teacher kept calling him “Marcus”. He protested, but she kept calling him Marcus. So, he decided to totally ignore her unless she pronounced his name correctly, pretending he couldn’t hear her. She got the message and called him Marcos thereafter. ---
**Author:** ![hobscrk777](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a6a055/32.png) [@hobscrk777](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hobscrk777)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2010, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-no-one-shortens-their-first-name-any-more/527414/125 "2010-02-04T02:44:48Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > Who the hell wants to be called Jonathan all the time instead of John? > > There’s no factual answer to this so I think IMHO is the right place. > > If you are one of these non-name-shortening people, why? Do you think the longer version sounds more authoritative? More grown up? Sure, how about more phony or pretentious? Phony and pretentious my ass. I’ve gone by Jonathan my entire life. Many other people who prefer to be called by their given name instead of a nickname have done the same. You can get off your high-horse before I take you to the pit. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2010, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-no-one-shortens-their-first-name-any-more/527414/126 "2010-02-04T03:46:59Z")
> [@Gagundathar](#): > > Gagundathar was a very common name where and when I was decanted… A Google search for the name suggests that you are the only person in the world who possesses it. ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2010, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-no-one-shortens-their-first-name-any-more/527414/127 "2010-02-04T03:50:50Z")
> [@DianaG](#): > > I just call people what they want to be called. That doesn’t mean I don’t judge. If you wish to be called “Wilfred J. Futtermutter The Third”, that’s pretentious. Remember the short lived spin off called “The Ropers.” They had snooty neighbor’s the Brooks. Mrs Brooks) Jeffrey you’re so pretentious Mr Brooks) Me, petentious? Mrs Brooks) Oh excuse me, Mr Jeffrey P Brooks the Third. You’re father’s name was Al 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2010, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-no-one-shortens-their-first-name-any-more/527414/128 "2010-02-04T12:43:38Z")
> [@hobscrk777](#): > > Phony and pretentious my ass. I’ve gone by Jonathan my entire life. Many other people who prefer to be called by their given name instead of a nickname have done the same. You can get off your high-horse before I take you to the pit. It also helps that Jonathan and John are completely separate names. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2010, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-no-one-shortens-their-first-name-any-more/527414/129 "2010-02-04T14:18:59Z")
If you name is Richard you can be either pretenious or a dick. ---
**Author:** ![otternell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecc23a/32.png) [@otternell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/otternell)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2010, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-no-one-shortens-their-first-name-any-more/527414/130 "2010-02-04T14:37:16Z")
Anyone know why Dick is an acceptable diminutive for Richard? I can see Rich and Rick easily, but do not understand how this became connected. And who chooses to go by Dick anyway? ---
**Author:** ![otternell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecc23a/32.png) [@otternell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/otternell)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2010, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-no-one-shortens-their-first-name-any-more/527414/131 "2010-02-04T14:50:55Z")
It occurred to me that the last question came out a bit harsher than intended. Apologies all around. Does anyone choose Dick as the diminutive for Richard anymore, or has that gone out of style? ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2010, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-no-one-shortens-their-first-name-any-more/527414/132 "2010-02-04T15:34:37Z")
> [@matt\_mcl](#): > > It also helps that Jonathan and John are completely separate names. Except in most cases. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2010, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-no-one-shortens-their-first-name-any-more/527414/133 "2010-02-04T15:36:55Z")
> [@hobscrk777](#): > > Phony and pretentious my ass. I’ve gone by Jonathan my entire life. Many other people who prefer to be called by their given name instead of a nickname have done the same. You can get off your high-horse before I take you to the pit. A little touchy there Johnny? Jeesh. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2010, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-no-one-shortens-their-first-name-any-more/527414/134 "2010-02-04T15:41:22Z")
> [@matt\_mcl](#): > > It also helps that Jonathan and John are completely separate names. > [@wolfman](#): > > Except in most cases. 😕 Except in no cases, you mean. If a Jonathan is shortened, it’s Jon, no “h.” I know a Jonathan whose father is named John. Why they thought that was a good idea, I still don’t know. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2010, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-no-one-shortens-their-first-name-any-more/527414/135 "2010-02-04T15:49:29Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > Why can’t you just call people by what they choose to be called? Robert is a lovely name. Bob, Bobby, and even Rob are…different. If people like that, so be it, but unless people give you permission to do so, don’t shorten their name. I concur. And, as it happens, I go by Robert IRL, so thanks, too. 🙂 I had limited nickname options when I was growing up. My father was also Robert, but went by Bob, though his family called him Bobby. My mother’s name actually _is_ Bobbie. My grandmother (Og bless her) saved me from “Little Bob” when I was an infant by reminding my parents that if they started calling me that, it would stick. So I got “Robby,” which I went by until 4th grade, when a teacher told me that “Robby” was a little boy’s name, and if I ever wanted to be a man, I’d better start going by Robert. I’ve been Robert ever since. I will answer to “Rob,” but there are only a few people I actually encourage (my brother and I have a deal: he calls me Rob, I call him John; when he slips, I call him Johnny). My mom and my sister still get a pass for Robby. I normally ignore anyone who calls me Bob. I apply my thinking to others. I have coworkers who answer to shortened versions of their names all the time, but they’ve never said “Call me Nick” to me, so I call them by their full names. My g.p. introduced himself to me by his full name when we first met, and then said, “Call me Pete.” I call him Pete. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2010, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-no-one-shortens-their-first-name-any-more/527414/136 "2010-02-04T16:04:52Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > 😕 Except in no cases, you mean. If a Jonathan is shortened, it’s Jon, no “h.” > I know a Jonathan whose father is named John. Why they thought that was a good idea, I still don’t know. I’ll be sure to tell the dozen or so Johns I know that it impossible for them to be spelling their name the way they do then. Most Jonathons I know go by John. Three others go by Jack. and Two spell it Jon. And one of the them only spells it jon to differentiate from his dad who spells it John. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Universe\_Lashes\_Out](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8797f3/32.png) [@The\_Universe\_Lashes\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Universe_Lashes_Out)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2010, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-no-one-shortens-their-first-name-any-more/527414/137 "2010-02-04T16:08:10Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > Who the hell wants to be called Jonathan all the time instead of John? Me, goddammit. The name “John” is not my name. It’s not even close. I can barely even see the similarities. I like the name Jonathan. I realize that three syllables is often too much for people to pronounce, and I sometimes end up with other nicknames or going by my last name. That’s all fine, just don’t call me John. ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2010, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-no-one-shortens-their-first-name-any-more/527414/138 "2010-02-04T16:10:03Z")
> [@wolfman](#): > > Except in most cases. Jonathan, from _Yəhonatan_, means “God has given,” and is etymologically related to Matthew and Nathan. John, from _Yochanan_, means “God is gracious.” ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2010, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-no-one-shortens-their-first-name-any-more/527414/139 "2010-02-04T16:21:24Z")
Names dont really _mean_ a damn thing. A lot of kids are given the name Jonathon, then go by John because that is the most common spelling. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2010, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-no-one-shortens-their-first-name-any-more/527414/140 "2010-02-04T16:25:52Z")
> [@HowieReynolds](#): > > Me, goddammit. The name “John” is not my name. It’s not even close. I can barely even see the similarities. I like the name Jonathan. I realize that three syllables is often too much for people to pronounce, and I sometimes end up with other nicknames or going by my last name. That’s all fine, just don’t call me John. I hope you are never picked up for solicitation of a prostitute. I think things could get real ugly real fast 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-no-one-shortens-their-first-name-any-more/527414.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-no-one-shortens-their-first-name-any-more/527414.md?page=8)