So we just found out we’re having a boy. We already knew we wanted [name_m]Christopher[/name_m] as a first name, undecided on a middle name at present. Any suggestions are welcome. We were quite enamoured by [name_u]Rowan[/name_u]. But then I worried that [name_m]Christopher[/name_m] [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] is too close to [name_m]Christopher[/name_m] [name_u]Robin[/name_u]. Although I love [name_f]Winnie[/name_f] the Pooh, don’t really want to cause any raising of eyebrows or teasing in school.
One thing I am personally struggling with is how to make clear to people that his nickname (and name I want to call him day-to-day) is going to be [name_u]Kit[/name_u]. It definitely causes people to frown and look confused and ask questions like “why not Chris?” Especially anyone who is more used to more traditional, usual given names.
For the record, I live in the UK. I always try to explain that the name is actually quite an old, traditional nickname for [name_m]Christopher[/name_m]. [name_m]Even[/name_m] the playwright [name_m]Christopher[/name_m] [name_u]Marlowe[/name_u] was called [name_u]Kit[/name_u]. But also really hate having to explain it constantly.
For those of you who have considered the name [name_u]Kit[/name_u], or perhaps even named your own son [name_u]Kit[/name_u], how did you deal with concerned looks and opinions from family/friends?
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I don’t think it’s going to be that hard to deal with if you introduce him as Kit? You can just tell people “This is my son Kit”, no need to explain to random people what his full name is. And when it comes to friends it really is as simple as “we prefer Kit to Chris.”
I have an unconventional nickname for my full name and it’s never been a big deal.
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By introducing him as [name_u]Kit[/name_u] you shouldn’t have a big problem. And if they ask what his full name is then you could offer it. If they say why not [name_u]Chris[/name_u]? [name_m]Just[/name_m] say you don’t like [name_u]Chris[/name_u] as much as [name_u]Kit[/name_u].
[name_f]Lovely[/name_f] name! I personally would just introduce your son as [name_u]Kit[/name_u] if people ask! That’s up to them if they ask if it’s short for [name_m]Christopher[/name_m] but because you as the parent have said he is a [name_u]Kit[/name_u]. There should be no Chris’s in earshot right?
I guess birth announcement is a bit different but I’d be inclined to announce his name as [name_u]Kit[/name_u] (Christopher) being the name in brackets. If you make it evident and clear from birth that he is [name_u]Kit[/name_u]. I think family should respect that.
Congratulations 
I have a son named [name_u]Kit[/name_u], although he’s just [name_u]Kit[/name_u] on the BC. We do occasionally have people ask if it’s short for [name_m]Christopher[/name_m], so at least some people are aware of the connection. If others don’t “get” it, does it really matter? It’s a very traditional nickname, as you say, and hopefully people will be polite enough to follow your/his lead and call him by the name he’s introduced as.
The good news is that [name_u]Kit[/name_u] is becoming more and more popular — it broke the Top 200 for the first time last year — so people will hopefully be more familiar with the name in the future.
I’m obviously biased but it’s such a great name, good choice!
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No way! I had no idea it was so well used in the UK!
I agree with everything that has been said! Kit has history as a nickname for Christopher as far back as or even farther back than Chris!
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Most people won’t know his middle name so I dont think [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] would get teased for [name_u]Robin[/name_u] but the Rs do run into eachother so it sounds like [name_m]Christopher[/name_m] [name_u]Owen[/name_u].
I really like [name_m]Christopher[/name_m] nn [name_u]Kit[/name_u]. I think if you always call him [name_u]Kit[/name_u] and get buy in early from those around him most often, it shouldn’t be hard to instill. [name_m]Just[/name_m] don’t be afraid to correct people. You do have to reason with the possibility that he may one day prefer [name_u]Chris[/name_u] and he might call himself that or have friends call him that later in life. But while he is little, you should easily be able to set a nickname. [name_m]Ive[/name_m] heard [name_u]Kit[/name_u] and [name_m]Kip[/name_m] as nicknames for [name_m]Christopher[/name_m] so it wouldn’t be something that is unheard of.
Firstly absolutely love [name_m]Christopher[/name_m] [name_u]Rowan[/name_u]! Yes [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] sounds similar to [name_u]Robin[/name_u] however middle names aren’t used on a regular basis and if you like the [name_f]Winnie[/name_f] the Pooh connection then go for it. Overall I think [name_m]Christopher[/name_m] [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] is very handsome. [name_m]Just[/name_m] some suggestions before moving onto [name_u]Kit[/name_u]
[name_m]Christopher[/name_m] [name_u]Briar[/name_u]
[name_m]Christopher[/name_m] [name_u]Finn[/name_u]
[name_m]Christopher[/name_m] [name_u]Elias[/name_u]
[name_m]Christopher[/name_m] [name_u]Lennox[/name_u]
[name_m]Christopher[/name_m] [name_u]Flynn[/name_u]
[name_m]Christopher[/name_m] [name_m]Beaumont[/name_m]
[name_m]Christopher[/name_m] [name_u]Brooks[/name_u]
[name_m]Christopher[/name_m] [name_m]Calix[/name_m]
[name_m]Christopher[/name_m] is a very traditional name especially with the nickname [name_u]Chris[/name_u] but honestly I would introduce him as [name_u]Kit[/name_u] and keep to [name_u]Kit[/name_u]. [name_m]Just[/name_m] be persistent!!! Since naming my daughter I realise that the general public (I’m in south east England) are so stubborn when it comes to names. A lot of people have just completely butchered her name, run with their own versions of her name despite being corrected and responded in a similar way to ‘why not Chris?’ with ‘why not lily? Why Lilia?’ It’s frustrating but I’ve stuck to my ground and now it’s standard for me to be firm with it and it’s a non issue. Honestly just do the same with [name_u]Kit[/name_u]. Introduce your son as [name_u]Kit[/name_u] and constantly correct anyone who calls him [name_u]Chris[/name_u] people will eventually get the message! Also I love [name_u]Kit[/name_u]
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Tell your family ahead of time that his names going to be [name_m]Christopher[/name_m] but you (and they) will always call him [name_u]Kit[/name_u] & perhaps tell them why you’d like him to be called [name_u]Kit[/name_u]. You could also just simply say “This is my son [name_m]Christopher[/name_m], we call him [name_u]Kit[/name_u], he only answers to Kit.” when people you don’t know ask. Basically, don’t answer to anything but [name_u]Kit[/name_u] & train him not to & you probably won’t have a problem.
With my son I usually introduce him by his nickname so I don’t typically get a ton of questions about why, but I would just state whatever your personal reason is, “we just like Kit” or “we wanted to distinguish him from all the other Chrises” or whatever. Those are complete explanations in and of themselves.
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Thanks all! These replies have been so helpful. I showed them to my husband, who was initially a bit skeptical as he’s less used to the name. But I think if we remain firm and introduce him as [name_u]Kit[/name_u], it’ll be much more manageable 
[name_u]Kit[/name_u] is fine as a nickname for [name_m]Christopher[/name_m]. In my family, we have so many Chrises, I would be looking at alternatives like [name_u]Kit[/name_u] to use instead. Also, I didn’t even consider [name_m]Christopher[/name_m] [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] being similar to [name_m]Christopher[/name_m] [name_u]Robin[/name_u] when I read it, so I think you’ll be fine there too.
I think if you simply introduce him as [name_u]Kit[/name_u], people will get used to it
I vote that you just introduce him as [name_u]Kit[/name_u] rather than “Christopher but we call him Kit”. If anyone asks why not [name_u]Chris[/name_u], I think “we just like [name_u]Kit[/name_u] better” is a totally reasonable answer and honestly all most people need by way of explanation since this is your choice.
I haven’t named anyone [name_u]Kit[/name_u] but my husband is [name_m]Kristoffer[/name_m]. He goes by that or [name_u]Kris[/name_u], but I find [name_u]Kit[/name_u] really charming too. I’m unlikely to try to give him a whole new nickname in his 30s, but I’m very pro-Kit! It feels refreshing given how popular [name_u]Chris[/name_u] was for my generation.
You can ask them to call him [name_u]Kit[/name_u] but they may call him [name_u]Chris[/name_u] or [name_m]Christopher[/name_m]. It depends if they listen to you and how emphatic you are 
But youre more worried about explaining it and dealing with their concern. Personally I do feel [name_u]Kit[/name_u] is more of a girls name. (I think it’s because there was an American girl doll named [name_u]Kit[/name_u], Im sure not relevant in the UK!) But hey just be confident in your choice and they will get used to it and love it.
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This is the case for me too— I’ve rarely if ever had it be anything more than “hey this is actually my nickname, I know it’s not expected but there you go” “oh cool, I’ll call you that then.” People might be confused at first, but likely not for long, and it’s not as if Kit hasn’t been a nickname for Christopher for centuries 
(PS, I way prefer Kit to Chris for all the “Christopher” family of names, and think that it’s a wonderful choice)
I think you may just have to ask yourself if you can go the next couple decades handling having to explain that he’s [name_m]Christopher[/name_m] nickname [name_u]Kit[/name_u] and everything you already explained. I have the name [name_f]Kristina[/name_f] and For the last decades there has been no escaping having to explain “Im [name_f]Kristina[/name_f] with a K.” It’s not the usual Ch default spelling just as [name_u]Kit[/name_u] might not be everyone default nn for [name_m]Christopher[/name_m] so the confusion and questions might just always be there. If it’s not something you think you can handle then maybe consider just going for actual name being [name_u]Kit[/name_u]
I understand some of the pp posters solution if just introducing him as [name_u]Kit[/name_u] and to some extent Inagree you can easily birth announcement him as [name_m]Christopher[/name_m] “Kit” [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] and that will get the initial nn out to those near and dear…… And again people in the street and other such encounters no first name explanation needed
BUT…. In school and other such instances during attendance he’ll be referred to as [name_m]Christopher[/name_m] most likely and then it will be between he and his peers on which nicknames get stuck during the “non learning” time. But regardless of that nothing will stop you from saying [name_u]Kit[/name_u] or your husband saying [name_u]Kit[/name_u] or relatives and the near and dear saying [name_u]Kit[/name_u] (as that’s what they knew him as since birth).
From your post it doesn’t sound like you’re necessarily against the other nicknames just more that you personally (and your husband) will be calling him [name_u]Kit[/name_u]. So just do that and take each day as it comes.
Additionally Inthink you’re safe with [name_u]Rowan[/name_u]. [name_m]Rob[/name_m] and [name_f]Row[/name_f] do not sound similar so I doubt a connection to [name_m]Christopher[/name_m] [name_u]Robin[/name_u] would occur often and/ or pose any sort of teasing potential.
[name_m]Just[/name_m] another example for you to consider…
[name_m]Benedict[/name_m] Cumberbatch named his son [name_m]Christopher[/name_m] and he goes by [name_u]Kit[/name_u].
Your post made me think of the [name_f]English[/name_f] actor [name_u]Kit[/name_u] [name_m]Harrington[/name_m] — who was christened [name_m]Christopher[/name_m] [name_u]Catesby[/name_u] [name_m]Harrington[/name_m]. I would find it very normal (and charming) to meet a young [name_u]Kit[/name_u] (I live in London).
I had a neighbor a similar age to my younger sibling growing up, he was called [name_u]Kit[/name_u], we never asked if it was short for [name_m]Christopher[/name_m], we just called him by the name we were given for him as did everyone else. Where we grew up it wasn’t uncommon to go by your first name, a double first, a [name_u]Nick[/name_u] name for your first, your middle or your surname… You just told people what to call you and they did their best to remember your name. The only issues you’ll likely have is as he’s introduced into new environments and people make assumptions, he will have to correct them and asked to be called by his preferred [name_u]Nick[/name_u] name, which at a point he will choose for himself… Having been called by your choice that’s likely the name he will choose but not a guarantee. I think you’ll be just fine, and just introduce him by his nickname and put a note on school paperwork.
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