This time not for me, but for a friend - we have picked the name for our 6th son (it’s indeed a boy again, surprise ).
A friend of ours and her husband are expecting a boy too, and they really want to name him [name_u]Finn[/name_u]. They however do not want that to be his full first name - I know [name_u]Finn[/name_u] could work on its own, they just really don’t want that. Which is fine, but they also don’t like [name_m]Finnegan[/name_m], [name_m]Phineas[/name_m], [name_m]Griffin[/name_m], etc.
They have however now come up with [name_m]Calvin[/name_m] - yes, I already tried this out on several name games, but I didn’t really get any useful feedback, so I am trying it in this way. [name_m]Calvin[/name_m] is a family name that means a lot to them, so they would love to use it in this way.
Personally, I think this works fine, but they are still worried. It’s not a usual full name for [name_u]Finn[/name_u] after all.
What do you all think? Does [name_u]Finn[/name_u] work as a nickname for [name_m]Calvin[/name_m]?
I could see vinny but not finn. But I mean [name_u]Finn[/name_u] is sort of one of those names you could give any one (ex:[name_u]Lucky[/name_u], [name_m]Flash[/name_m], [name_m]Buddy[/name_m])
I’m generally of the opinion that you can nickname your kid anything you want. I also can see how [name_u]Finn[/name_u] can be a nickname from [name_m]Calvin[/name_m]. I’m also of the opinion that parents should pretty much do whatever they want in naming their kids without worrying overmuch about other people’s opinions. However, I have two hesitations with [name_u]Finn[/name_u] as a nickname for [name_m]Calvin[/name_m].
One, [name_u]Finn[/name_u] isn’t really a nickname, it’s a name-name. I’m sure others will disagree with that, but it’s just a completely separate name from [name_m]Calvin[/name_m]. It’d be like calling someone [name_m]Roger[/name_m] when his given name was [name_m]Beauregard[/name_m]. I know it’s a little different; the -vin ending lends itself to the nickname [name_u]Finn[/name_u]. But, I think it’s a little odd to have a fully different nickname from the given name, when the nickname is itself a name and not a nickname. If they want to call him [name_u]Finn[/name_u], then it doesn’t matter if his given name is [name_u]Finn[/name_u] or [name_m]Finnian[/name_m] or [name_u]Finlay[/name_u] or [name_m]Calvin[/name_m].
Two, and more importantly, why name a kid something you don’t plan to actually use? [name_m]Just[/name_m] ask [name_m]Hank[/name_m] [name_u]Green[/name_u] of Vlogbrothers what it’s like to always be called by a nickname that isn’t your legal name. If they want to call him [name_u]Finn[/name_u], I’d say just name him [name_u]Finn[/name_u]. If they want to name him [name_m]Calvin[/name_m], name him [name_m]Calvin[/name_m].
I would suggest figuring out which is more important to them, using a family name (do they feel sort of obligated? are they shoe-horning [name_u]Finn[/name_u] into that?) or using the name they like (if they want to use it regardless of full name, why go with a longer full name at all?).
Anything can work. But I wouldn’t do it. I think either the nickname won’t end up happening later in life or it’ll be a constant explanation he’ll have to give.
I wouldn’t say [name_u]Finn[/name_u] is a nickname for [name_m]Calvin[/name_m], but that’s not to say they can’t name him [name_m]Calvin[/name_m] and not still call him [name_u]Finn[/name_u]. I go by a nickname completely unrelated to be real name. If he chooses to go by [name_m]Calvin[/name_m] exclusively, he’ll still have the choice down the road.
I’d have to agree with denmama9…If they want to make it work then it’s entirely their call, but personally I’d rather pick [name_u]Finn[/name_u], or a longer version of [name_u]Finn[/name_u]. Or if they like [name_m]Calvin[/name_m], nn [name_u]Cal[/name_u] or [name_m]Vin[/name_m]. GL
I think it’s too much of a stretch and would get tiresome always having to explain that [name_u]Finn[/name_u] is only a nickname because it is a well known name on its own. If that is what they want to call him I think that’s what they should name him, or choose a name that [name_u]Finn[/name_u] is a nickname for.
If they are insistent on having a more formal first name then they could always use [name_u]Finn[/name_u] as a middle name instead? I know a fair amount of people who go by their middle name rather than their first, so it seems less of a stretch than trying to get [name_u]Finn[/name_u] out of [name_m]Calvin[/name_m].
For example, [name_u]Calder[/name_u] [name_u]Finn[/name_u] or [name_m]Callum[/name_m] [name_u]Finn[/name_u].
However I am a big believer in doing what feels right to each individual and if using [name_m]Calvin[/name_m] with the nn [name_u]Finn[/name_u] works for them, then they should do that. Best of luck!
Thank you for all your responses. I understand all your arguments, I agree with most of them, but some parts are a bit unclear.
When some of you say it’s too much of a stretch, how exactly do you mean that? In the sense of the sound?
[name_u]Finn[/name_u] is almost the exact sound of the second syllable of [name_m]Calvin[/name_m]. In the same way that [name_u]Gus[/name_u] is a nickname for [name_m]Atticus[/name_m]? Is it more because it is an unusual nickname?
Which brings me to the second question. Why do you think they would be explaining the nickname? Where, when, and how would they need to? [name_m]Just[/name_m] when people ask? Would that be an issue? [name_u]Finn[/name_u] especially has a lot of options anyways, so they would basically always have to give this full name, even if it’s just [name_m]Phineas[/name_m]?
I’m sorry, I’m being a little thorough. I just want to make sure I give a good advice. I definitely think they should do it, but I want to make sure I understand other opinions and their potential weight.
[name_u]Finn[/name_u] and the vin in [name_m]Calvin[/name_m] don’t sound the same in my accent. [name_m]How[/name_m] about [name_u]Finley[/name_u] [name_m]Calvin[/name_m]?
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