I used to think this type of nickname seemed silly, infantile, and, well, vapid. But a couple I know have an [name_f]Imogen[/name_f] that they call [name_f]Gigi[/name_f]. They explained that such nn’s help pre-verbal children identify with their names or something like that. And I have to admit, [name_f]Gigi[/name_f] is cute! I also have fallen in love with [name_f]Lulu[/name_f] for [name_f]Louisa[/name_f] or [name_f]Lucia[/name_f]. I could see a girl outgrowing these nicknames, though. But my aunt [name_f]Cecilia[/name_f] is still [name_f]CeCe[/name_f] and it works fine.
What do you think of this sort of nn? Silly or cute? Suitable on adults or best left behind with childhood? Anyone know about the childhood development angle? Also, does capitalization or spacing affect how you feel about it ([name_f]Gigi[/name_f] vs. [name_f]GiGi[/name_f] vs. Gi Gi)? [name_f]Do[/name_f] you think the full name has to have a double consonant (Cecilia) to qualify, or is it okay to just repeat the first syllable? Discuss amongst yourselves.
I know a woman named [name_f]Cece[/name_f] and she got a great, robust personality. [name_f]My[/name_f] friend’s grown up sisters are [name_f]Bunny[/name_f] and Susu. It hasn’t seemed to detract from their lives in anyway. [name_f]Cece[/name_f] works as a food server in a very posh restaurant, [name_f]Bunny[/name_f] and Susu both do admin work in the mainstream movie industry (I think, it’s been a few years now). I think Susu goes by [name_f]Susan[/name_f] now, but [name_f]Bunny[/name_f] as far as I know still goes by [name_f]Bunny[/name_f].
I have a [name_f]Cecily[/name_f] and we call her [name_f]Cece[/name_f]. I planned on just calling her [name_f]Cecily[/name_f] but somewhere along the way everyone started calling her [name_f]Cece[/name_f] and it stuck-she can choose to drop that if she ever wants to.
I am now pregnant with another girl and we are considering [name_f]Tallulah[/name_f] (nn [name_f]Lulu[/name_f]) on our short list. [name_f]My[/name_f] Great Grandma was [name_f]Lulu[/name_f] and everyone loved calling that her whole life. I too would have thought these names silly in the past, but there is something charming & vintage chic about them now:)
It seems quite acceptable in [name_m]Britain[/name_m] to use these type of names. I know a Cosi, [name_f]Minnie[/name_f], [name_f]Lottie[/name_f] and [name_f]Bebe[/name_f].
I absolutely love them, and I think they actually age really well (despite what most people think). I know people of all ages with similar names ([name_f]Lottie[/name_f], Momo, [name_f]Coco[/name_f], [name_f]Honey[/name_f], [name_f]Cece[/name_f], [name_f]Gigi[/name_f], etc.) and the names really suit them. Most of them have jobs in quite serious professions too: teacher, doctor, lawyer, etc. and they haven’t really had any problems. I prefer them spelt [name_f]Coco[/name_f], [name_f]Gigi[/name_f], [name_f]Lulu[/name_f], etc. rather than [name_f]CoCo[/name_f], [name_f]GiGi[/name_f] and [name_f]LuLu[/name_f] (the latter looks more like a brand name, than a persons name).
