# Why are versions of names that end in -y considered unprofessional **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 23, 2004, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-versions-of-names-that-end-in-y-considered-unprofessional/265616 "2004-09-23T03:44:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2004, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-versions-of-names-that-end-in-y-considered-unprofessional/265616/1 "2004-09-23T03:44:24Z")
Thomas vs Tommy. Timothy vs Timmy. Here are some examples Donny Trump Billy Clinton Tommy Jefferson Mikey Eisner Why are the versions of the name that take off the suffix and replace it with a -y or a y with two of the same consonants before it considered juveline and unprofessional? And i’m sure some people can name exceptions but by and large most people would consider Billy Clinton to be less professional than William Clinton and Donny Trump less professional than Donald. ---
**Author:** ![Random](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/57b2e6/32.png) [@Random](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Random)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2004, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-versions-of-names-that-end-in-y-considered-unprofessional/265616/2 "2004-09-23T03:56:41Z")
Cultural tradition. The -y ending is a diminutive version of a name, typically used for children, or (very informally) among close friends. I’m Tom to 95% of the world, Thomas in formal settings, any Tommy only to, let’s see, one aging aunt, 4 very close friends, and one asshole I have to deal with professionally. ---
**Author:** ![roger\_thornhill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d9b06d/32.png) [@roger\_thornhill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/roger_thornhill)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2004, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-versions-of-names-that-end-in-y-considered-unprofessional/265616/3 "2004-09-23T04:19:35Z")
Names are fun things to play around with. Why Mickey Mouse but Donald Duck, not Donny? Euphony perhaps? A desire to lend the cartoon character a kind of ironic gravitas? It’s interesting how people who want to hint at a personal acquaintance with celebrities will use the diminutive of the Christian name. Thus, Ken Branagh, Jimmy Stewart, Bob De Niro and Marty Scorcese. Any female celebs out there similarly the subject of synthetic personalisation, to use the sociolinguistic jargon? Kate Hepburn, perhaps. ---
**Author:** ![C3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/c3/32/3108_2.png) [@C3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C3)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2004, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-versions-of-names-that-end-in-y-considered-unprofessional/265616/4 "2004-09-23T05:04:38Z")
My brother-in-law’s given name is Jamie. Now, as a CEO, he goes by James. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2004, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-versions-of-names-that-end-in-y-considered-unprofessional/265616/5 "2004-09-23T05:09:52Z")
A hijack, but I read a reference to “William J. Clinton” yesterday and it was such an uncommon form of his name, it took me a second to realize who they were talking about. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2004, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-versions-of-names-that-end-in-y-considered-unprofessional/265616/6 "2004-09-23T05:10:33Z")
**roger thornhill** -Jimmy Stewart is referred to as “Jimmy” by almost everyone. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2004, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-versions-of-names-that-end-in-y-considered-unprofessional/265616/7 "2004-09-23T12:06:51Z")
It’s much more of a thing for men than women, I think – there are plenty of “-y” names that aren’t seen as diminutives, like Kathy, Judy, Betty, Jenny. This is totally aside from female names that, in their long form, end with “y,” like Emily, Dorothy, Mary. I believe Liz Taylor loathes “Liz,” and insists on Elizabeth. ---
**Author:** ![roger\_thornhill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d9b06d/32.png) [@roger\_thornhill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/roger_thornhill)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2004, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-versions-of-names-that-end-in-y-considered-unprofessional/265616/8 "2004-09-23T12:12:31Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > I believe Liz Taylor loathes “Liz,” and insists on Elizabeth. Ditto for the other English queen. ---
**Author:** ![roger\_thornhill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d9b06d/32.png) [@roger\_thornhill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/roger_thornhill)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2004, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-versions-of-names-that-end-in-y-considered-unprofessional/265616/9 "2004-09-23T12:17:03Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > **roger thornhill** -Jimmy Stewart is referred to as “Jimmy” by almost everyone. Fine actor, great man. No faked service record for Jimmy. ---
**Author:** ![yellowval](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/919ad9/32.png) [@yellowval](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellowval)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2004, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-versions-of-names-that-end-in-y-considered-unprofessional/265616/10 "2004-09-23T13:13:41Z")
I think that in the cases of names like “Danny,” “Billy,” “Timmy” and “Tommy,” it’s seen as being childish. My husband, Tim, claims that he dies a little inside when someone calls him Timmy, but he doesn’t mind Timothy. My mom loathes names that are shortened with a “y” added on the end. She ensured that no one would ever do that to her kids by naming us Kelley, Nancy, Mary, and Valerie. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2004, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-versions-of-names-that-end-in-y-considered-unprofessional/265616/11 "2004-09-23T13:15:03Z")
Well, in the South, even a businessman who is NOT a redneck often feels social pressure to act like one. So, in Texas and surrounding states, you do find many executives with names like Billy Joe Watkins and lawyers with names like Bobby Jack Baker! Of course, if/when those guys go to work for Northeastern firms, they magically become Bill Watkins and Bob Baker. ---
**Author:** ![Athena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/35a633/32.png) [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2004, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-versions-of-names-that-end-in-y-considered-unprofessional/265616/12 "2004-09-23T13:43:23Z")
My whole family still calls me by the diminutive of my name. It wasn’t so bad when I lived 1400 miles from them - in professional settings, I went by my proper name. Now that I’m back living near my family, it’s a big ol’ hassle. Especially since my mother’s name is the same as mine. If I don’t go by the diminutive, everyone gets me and my mother confused. It’s even worse now that I’m doing consulting work around town. My sister-in-law got me a consulting gig with the doctor she works with. The first day I went in, the office manager started referring to me by the diminutive. Even Mr. Athena calls me by the diminutive. I’ve given up. I really don’t like the name, but there’s not much I can do about it. It’s waaaay to cutesy for me - don’t think “Terry” or “Stacey”, think “Mitzy” or “Buffy.” It just doesn’t work when I’m trying to come across as a professional software engineer (or any other type of grown up!) [sub]Maybe I should just go by ‘Athena’ in real life. Now that’d project the kind of image I’d like![/sub] ---
**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2004, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-versions-of-names-that-end-in-y-considered-unprofessional/265616/13 "2004-09-23T13:59:27Z")
Exceptions: Jimmy Carter. Rarely heard him called “President James Carter.” Rev. Billy Graham. Ditto. Hearing “Rev. William Graham” would result in a blank stare from me. I see your point, though. How much credibility would His Holiness Pope Johnny Paul have as a religious leader? (Rhetorical question.) ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2004, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-versions-of-names-that-end-in-y-considered-unprofessional/265616/14 "2004-09-23T14:11:09Z")
> [@Casey1505](#): > > Exceptions: Jimmy Carter. \ Rev. Billy Graham. Note that both of these gentlemen are southern. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Carnage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/max_carnage/32/12775_2.png) [@Max\_Carnage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Carnage)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2004, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-versions-of-names-that-end-in-y-considered-unprofessional/265616/15 "2004-09-23T14:19:48Z")
> [@Casey1505](#): > > …How much credibility would His Holiness Pope Johnny Paul have as a religious leader? (Rhetorical question.) So THAT’S what happened to Opie’s best friend! ---
**Author:** ![Jurph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/50afbb/32.png) [@Jurph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jurph)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2004, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-versions-of-names-that-end-in-y-considered-unprofessional/265616/16 "2004-09-23T15:33:02Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > Note that both of these gentlemen are southern. Also think about our Presidents and Vice Presidents recently… Dems - “Bill”, “Al”, “Jimmy”, but also “Gerald.” Republicans - “George W.,” “Donald,” “Ronald”, “George”, but also “Dan” (James Danforth). GE CEO John Welch has almost always been “Jack.” ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2004, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-versions-of-names-that-end-in-y-considered-unprofessional/265616/17 "2004-09-23T17:14:51Z")
> [@](#): > > Ditto for the other English queen. Why would anyone call Elton John Liz? ---
**Author:** ![FilmGeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@FilmGeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FilmGeek)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2004, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-versions-of-names-that-end-in-y-considered-unprofessional/265616/18 "2004-09-23T18:11:39Z")
I go by the diminuitive of my name. I’ve never gone by my given name and if someone shouts out “Nicole” I don’t react. My father, for some reason, always introduces me as Nicole. He picked the name, so I suppose he likes it. My mom calls me Nick, as do most other close friends (except Ardred). My “professional” name is Niki. It goes in credits (and you better spell it right!), but not on legal forms. ---
**Author:** ![The\_27th\_Evil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ebca7d/32.png) [@The\_27th\_Evil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_27th_Evil)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2004, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-versions-of-names-that-end-in-y-considered-unprofessional/265616/19 "2004-09-23T18:18:30Z")
My friend is actually choosing to change her name for professional reasons. Her full name (no middle name) is Jenny and she plans to legally change it to Genevieve Mara in order to be taken more seriously. It does look childish, I think, to use a diminutive professionally. Luckily, my name (Lauren), while horribly common, is almost never given a diminutive. I’ll be Ms. AlwaysmisspelledGermanname in the classroom anyway, so it doesn’t matter. ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2004, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-versions-of-names-that-end-in-y-considered-unprofessional/265616/20 "2004-09-23T19:03:26Z")
> [@Jurph](#): > > Dems - > “Bill”, “Al”, “Jimmy”, but also “Gerald.” Isn’t Gerald Ford a Republican? He lost to Carter in '76. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-versions-of-names-that-end-in-y-considered-unprofessional/265616.md?page=2)