I have always adored [name]Callista[/name] but it has never made my list due to how much I really dislike the nn [name]Callie[/name]. But I just can’t seem to let go of the name… I think it fits so perfectly with my other two (current) faves, [name]Rosalind[/name] and [name]Helena[/name]. So, do you think there is a way to avoid [name]Callie[/name] as a nickname, or should I just let go of [name]Callista[/name] altogether? Other nn suggestions?
I have no idea why people assume there will be an assumed nickname that will just stick forever. I thought everyone forces the name they like to be called on everyone else. When I was younger, if someone went by a name at home that was their name to the rest of the world, and they would politely correct people. I have never known anyone to just accept a nickname that they didn’t like or grow up with. I don’t even see it as particularly pretentious.
Take [name]Elizabeth[/name] for example - there are several possible nicknames for [name]Elizabeth[/name], but the most popular one today is probably [name]Liz[/name]. Now suppose an [name]Elizabeth[/name] was called [name]Elli[/name] by her family, when a teacher or friend or someone else she’d speak to more than once called her [name]Liz[/name] or [name]Lizzy[/name], she’d probably just say, ‘Oh, um, I like to be called [name]Elli[/name], please.’ and they’d probably say something like ‘Oh, okay.’ and then call her by her preferred name.
I think as long as you aren’t rude about it and it isn’t an unnecessary alternate pronunciation (like [name]Darrel[/name] being DUH-rel), you can name a child [name]Callista[/name], call her [name]Alli[/name] or [name]Asta[/name] and she’ll probably just tell people that that’s what she likes to be called. I don’t mean to be rude, but I truly do not understand.
[name]Callista[/name] is beautiful and goes very well with [name]Rosalind[/name] and [name]Helena[/name]!
^ I agree with this.
People may try to shorten it to [name]Callie[/name], but after a correction or two they will get the point that it is NOT her name. If you love the name, go for it! For what it’s worth, I love love love [name]Callista[/name]. 
Actually most people that I know don’t care unless it’s a name that they really hate. [name]Elizabeth[/name] is [name]Ellie[/name] at home, [name]Elizabeth[/name] at school, [name]Betsie[/name] at grandma’s house, and [name]Lizzy[/name] with her friends.
I used to work at a daycare and gave the kids nn all the time. Or their classmates would come up with something. It’s really not about what the parents want (unless it’s offensive) because it’s not their name, it’s the child’s name. The child decides what they want to be called. If [name]Callista[/name] doesn’t mind that she’s [name]Callie[/name] at school then that’s her choice
[name]Callista[/name] isn’t a common name like [name]Elizabeth[/name] and [name]Katherine[/name], so I don’t think you’ll have issues with automatic shortening. You’ll have to accept that maybe later on she’ll want to be called [name]Callie[/name] so if you really hate it, I wouldn’t use it.
I agree with nat108. Most people don’t care. I am sometimes called [name]Di[/name] or D (a few friends and coworkers do it) instead of [name]Diana[/name] and I don’t mind. My fiance’ and parents both call me [name]Diana[/name] though. My sister is called [name]Mel[/name] by her friends and I call her that sometimes, but my parents both call her [name]Melissa[/name].
People like to shorten names, especially when they are more than 2 syllables. It’s just faster to say. If the person doesn’t like the shorten version then they can just say so. I had a friend who wanted to be called [name]Elizabeth[/name], so we never called her [name]Lizzie[/name], but her parents and grandparents did.
Yeah I agree with some of the previous posts, it’s up to you and the child what they are called but please remeber that when [name]Callista[/name] gets older she might actually want to be called [name]Callie[/name]!
Most people I know will generally call someone by their full name ([name]Elizabeth[/name], [name]Christopher[/name] etc.) until told otherwise, or most would ask if something else is preferred so I do think [name]Callista[/name] would work without [name]Callie[/name], and could always opt for Lissy which is cute.
If I met a [name]Callista[/name], I would either not shorten it, or shorten it to [name]Lissa[/name]. I dislike [name]Callie[/name] too