Hey gang,
[name_f]My[/name_f] husband is pushing hard on [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] today. I’ll give him points for honoring grampa (my late grandfather went by [name_m]Tom[/name_m] his whole life, though his name was [name_u]Merrill[/name_u]), and admit that the flow with our middle name choice, [name_m]Brian[/name_m] (for my dad), sounds better than our other top contenders: [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] [name_m]Brian[/name_m] vs. [name_m]Calvin[/name_m] [name_m]Brian[/name_m] or [name_m]Weston[/name_m] [name_m]Brian[/name_m]. Our other kid’s are [name_f]Isla[/name_f] and [name_m]Grant[/name_m], and I think [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] and [name_m]Grant[/name_m] make descent brothers…but…yawn. I don’t know, lol! I just can’t get excited about it! Can you think of any fun nicknames or even just pet names besides [name_m]Tom[/name_m] or [name_m]Tommy[/name_m]? (Eww [name_m]Tommy[/name_m]??) Thanks for your help!
It took me a bit to really get behind my husband’s firm choice of [name_u]James[/name_u] for the same reason- YAWN. But the more I said it the more I appreciated the richness of the history behind the name. It is a timeless name that will grow with our baby. [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] is the same way (coincidently it is my husband’s middle name!). There is a fine history with that name- [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] [name_m]Jefferson[/name_m], [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] [name_m]Edison[/name_m], [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] [name_m]Stonewall[/name_m] [name_m]Jackson[/name_m] and lots more! It is an executives name. I don’t predict any future presidents will be named [name_m]Ozzy[/name_m] or [name_m]Xerxes[/name_m] (please don’t hate me [name_m]Ozzy[/name_m]/[name_m]Xerxes[/name_m] lovers!).
And maybe it is because my husband has insisted to be called by his full name, [name_m]Benjamin[/name_m], since he was a young adult, but you don’t have to nickname your child just because his name is common. [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] by itself is just fine! But Masey is a unique twist on the ending if you really want to stray from [name_m]Tom[/name_m]. 
I love [name_m]Thomas[/name_m]. [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] [name_m]Brian[/name_m] could lead to the nickname [name_u]Toby[/name_u].
I really like [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] because of all the historical figures with the name. To me, [name_m]Tom[/name_m] is a good solid nn-- it reminds me of [name_u]Sam[/name_u] for [name_m]Samuel[/name_m] (which I also really like). I agree that it fits really well with [name_f]Isla[/name_f] and [name_m]Grant[/name_m] too. In Spanish it’s pronounced like Toe-ma, but not sure if this is the nn you’re going for. You could always use the ubiquitous “T.” Also, the whole name is not too long, so you could just use it without a nn.
I’m all about historical, classic boys’ names – for all the reasons already listed. I [name_u]LOVE[/name_u] [name_m]Thomas[/name_m]. I know a [name_m]Grant[/name_m] with a brother [name_m]Nicholas[/name_m] (similar), and I think [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] and [name_m]Grant[/name_m] go together perfectly and I especially love that it honors a family member.
As far as nicknames, don’t rule anything out until he’s born because you really don’t know what will feel right until you’re looking at him and talking to him. [name_m]Tommy[/name_m] might feel perfect – I know a [name_m]Thomas[/name_m], nn [name_m]Tommy[/name_m] and it fits him so perfectly that I love it even though I didn’t think I liked that nn before. But you might also come up with another bizarre, out-of-the-blue nickname for him after he’s born. I think anything can be a nickname if it feels right for the parents. Who cares what others say? Tomo? Mas-mas? Sure, why not? I call my son ([name_m]Samuel[/name_m]) “[name_m]Bud[/name_m]” about 90% of the time. I think nicknames grow organically out of our living experiences, so don’t worry about it – a nickname will come. Or it won’t and you’ll call him [name_m]Thomas[/name_m], which is perfectly acceptable too. I’m [name_f]Catherine[/name_f] and never went by any nickname, so it’s easily do-able. Good luck! I hope you can love this name or find another one you both love.
[name_m]Thomas[/name_m]… I think the best thing would be to use his full name, all the time, [name_m]Tom[/name_m] and [name_m]Tommy[/name_m] are yucky!!! I would really suggest to your hubby though to look up names that are similar meaning or have something in common but aren’t as dated as [name_m]Thomas[/name_m]… your other children have such kick-butt names!!!
We’re also watching Downton [name_u]Abby[/name_u] and [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] is the EVIL [name_m]GUY[/name_m]!!! and [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] the tank engine… doubting [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] (from the Bible)… there are just too many associations!!!
A great middle name, something unexpected and spunky, helps me fall more in love with a name. A fun nickname can also make me love a name more.
I am finding it hard to find nicknames for [name_m]Thomas[/name_m], other than [name_m]Tommy[/name_m] and [name_m]Tom[/name_m].
Thomas [name_m]Brian[/name_m] - T
[name_m]Thomas[/name_m] [name_f]Bri[/name_f]an - [name_f]Bri[/name_f]
Thomas Brian - [name_m]Rhett[/name_m] (grasping here)
Thomas Brian - [name_m]Thorn[/name_m]
I think [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] is a classic name with a well-established and positive history. I think it’s the kind of name that first any personality and doesn’t force a child into any “box” from birth. I am not a big fan of the nn [name_m]Tommy[/name_m], but I think [name_m]Tom[/name_m] is great. [name_m]Tom[/name_m] is the kind of guy that everyone wants to be friends with. He’s an easygoing and fun guy to be around. He is respected professionally, as well as personally. That’s the picture I get, at least. I liked another poster’s suggestion of [name_u]Toby[/name_u], but I also think Tas, [name_m]Tam[/name_m], TB, or T(first initial of your last name) would work.
[name_m]Just[/name_m] a warning. I would not use TB as a nickname. TB is tuberculosis. Many people in the health care and childcare fields have to get TB tested.
If you’re willing to change the middle, you could also do [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] J___ (TJ) or [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] R____ (TR) or something like that.
I love the suggestion of [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] [name_m]Brian[/name_m] nn [name_u]Toby[/name_u]. [name_m]Grant[/name_m], [name_u]Toby[/name_u], and [name_f]Isla[/name_f]. [name_m]Grant[/name_m], [name_m]Thomas[/name_m], and [name_f]Isla[/name_f]. It totally works. I coached a little boy once whose name was [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] and that is what he went by. Strictly [name_m]Thomas[/name_m]. That’s how his parents addressed him and introduced him to others and that’s how he referred to himself so it is possible for your [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] to remain strictly [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] (at least probably up until high school)with a little bit of effort and reinforcement. [name_f]My[/name_f] boyfriend’s name is [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] but he goes by [name_m]Tom[/name_m] now. I wish be went by [name_m]Thomas[/name_m], it’s such a strong name!The Italian half of his family still calls him [name_m]Tommy[/name_m] and I think it’s cute because it’s a family thing; they’re the only ones who are allowed (and me too of course!) Anyway, [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] [name_m]Brian[/name_m] is a fantastic name!
I could deal with his initials being T.B. but I certainly wouldn’t call him that as a nickname, it’s too reminiscent of the disease.
There’s the classic/yawn (good or bad) factor, but honestly - do you like it? I don’t find my reaction to all of the classic names are the same, and some I like even if they’re kinda boring, and some I hate no matter how elegant/classic/evergreen somebody else finds them to be.
Objectively there’s no huge difference in simplicity or classic use in [name_m]John[/name_m], [name_u]James[/name_u], [name_m]William[/name_m], [name_m]Thomas[/name_m], [name_m]Henry[/name_m], [name_m]Peter[/name_m], or [name_m]Joseph[/name_m], (there are others too this is just off the top of my head) but to me some are yuck and some are handsome.
So are you afraid somebody else will find it uninteresting (who cares what they think?) or do you just not like it? I would absolutely encourage you to use it if you’re just worried about other people’s reactions, but I don’t think there’s anything wrong with disliking a name even if other people find it classic/timeless.
Random thought: I must admit when I saw your other kids were [name_m]Grant[/name_m] and [name_f]Isla[/name_f], I immediately thought of [name_m]Tavish[/name_m]. It’s a Scottish form of [name_m]Thomas[/name_m], it’s fairly characterful but not garish, and like [name_m]Grant[/name_m]/[name_f]Isla[/name_f] it’s not kreative, but it’s interesting.
Thanks for the input. This is totally true. We call our [name_m]Grant[/name_m]: Granters and Granty. Would I ever in a million years planned to call him Granty?? No way. But, he’s 3 and we find ourselves cooing it at him from time to time. So, you’re right - [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] would probably naturally develop his own nickname over time.
There are a lot of classic names that I simply don’t like. [name_u]Michael[/name_u], [name_m]David[/name_m], [name_m]Christopher[/name_m], [name_m]Patrick[/name_m], I’m sure there are others. Then there are classics I really do like: [name_m]Benjamin[/name_m], [name_m]Matthew[/name_m], [name_m]William[/name_m], [name_u]James[/name_u] ([name_u]LOVE[/name_u] [name_u]James[/name_u]…) but can’t use because we have family members by those names. [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] isn’t in my “love” category, but not in the dislike category either. [name_m]Andrew[/name_m] falls in a similar space, and I was considering it the other day too.
[name_f]My[/name_f] hesitation I think is that I feel slightly pretentious saying [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] (or [name_m]Andrew[/name_m] for that matter). Like, I’m putting on airs trying to be all prim and proper, “this is my son, [name_m]Thomas[/name_m]. Isn’t he just darling?” I don’t know…I’m a Vermonter, my kids are a little more rough and tumble than the buttoned collar “[name_m]Thomas[/name_m]” feels in my mind. But then again, someone mentioned that [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] is a CEO name, and I lke to think that [name_m]Grant[/name_m] is also, but [name_m]Grant[/name_m] seems much less stuffy to me.
We are having such a hard time loving anything that I wonder if I should just really try and love [name_m]Thomas[/name_m], or just go with my gut and move on. Hubs said he still likes [name_m]Calvin[/name_m] a lot, and though [name_m]Calvin[/name_m] still doesn’t have that “it” factor for me, I see it being a little more fun and relaxed than [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] while still having a professional (presidential) feel.
I love [name_m]Thomas[/name_m]! It is a big family name for me as well. I love the family history richness. It would be wonderful to honor both sides of the family with [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] [name_m]Brian[/name_m]. You could also go with with the Spanish spelling and pronunciation [name_m]Tomas[/name_m] (toe-mas). It is a fun nickname we give my brother [name_m]Thomas[/name_m]. He mainly goes by [name_m]Tom[/name_m]. [name_f]My[/name_f] husband told me before we had our two girls that when/if we had a boy he wanted to name him [name_m]Scott[/name_m] [name_m]Allen[/name_m] after his late father and grandpa. I was so touched that I agreed seeing as my fathers names and grandpas on my side have all been used for my nieces and nephews. After I agreed I had a panic attack that [name_m]Scott[/name_m] is too grandpa like. But now I love it!! It took time, and now I actually like [name_u]Scotty[/name_u] as a nickname. I felt the same way you do with [name_m]Tommy[/name_m]. Lol.
Ooooo I like the suggestion of [name_u]Toby[/name_u]!! I just read all the other suggestions. The whole TB thing won’t be noticed with your last name initial. [name_m]Just[/name_m] a fair warning my little nephew for a short time could not pronounce [name_m]Thomas[/name_m]. Th sounded like a D sound. So it came out uncle dumbass. We knicked that in the bud real fast. So make sure your kiddos can say it correctly. It shouldn’t be an issue, but just in case!
I think [name_u]Toby[/name_u] is quite contrived. It’s a totally different name. If someone said “[name_f]My[/name_f] name is [name_m]Thomas[/name_m], but my friends call me [name_u]Toby[/name_u]” I’d be like “Huh? Why?”. If he introduced himself as [name_u]Toby[/name_u] and I later found out his real name was [name_m]Thomas[/name_m], same reaction: “What? Where did that come from?”. The explanation “[name_f]My[/name_f] middle name begins with B” doesn’t really make sense for me.
[name_m]Thomas[/name_m] is such a beautiful name. It’s not ‘exciting’, but it’s got a lot of character. When your son learns about history he’ll see that there have been famous Thomases for centuries, hundreds of them. That’s a nice thing to have, to feel connected like that. If there is any truth in the idea that names can hold you back or help you in life (I don’t think it’s really been proven, but there could be something in it) then having the name [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] is nothing but good news. I don’t think it’s dated at all, it’s timeless, [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] could be 1 or 100, you can’t tell - your son would never be tied to his generation by his name, which could be a good thing as people tend to make assumptions about age with names that are typical for certain generations. It’s also a great international name, it works or has an easy equivalent in so many languages, people recognise it everywhere, which means your son will probably never have issues with his name in a global economy, if he wants to live in another country, work for a foreign company, learn a second language or just travel the world. Of course it’s possible to do all those things with a really non-international name, but speaking from experience, I don’t live in my country of birth and my name does not travel well and sometimes it’s a complete pain. All in all, there are so many advantages that giving your son the name [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] is a great gift for him!
If you don’t like [name_m]Tom[/name_m] you could use Tomo or [name_m]Tam[/name_m], or just [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] by itself. It’s only two syllables, I know someone who is just [name_m]Thomas[/name_m], never [name_m]Tom[/name_m], and two people who are just Tómas, never [name_f]Tommi[/name_f].
I just thought it might make you smile to know I knew a [name_m]Tomas[/name_m] in school (no H, if I’m remembering right) who went by Taco.
Also, I’ve always grouped [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] and [name_m]Timothy[/name_m] together - and I rather like [name_m]Tim[/name_m] better than [name_m]Tom[/name_m]. Maybe you can convince your husband of [name_m]Timothy[/name_m] instead?
I get what you are saying about [name_m]Thomas[/name_m]. I personally prefer the nickname [name_m]Tam[/name_m] as a proper name, but it could be too cute without a stronger name with it to give it some weight.
Here’s a question though: is it that he loves the name [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] or that he wants to honor your family? Or both?
I guess I’m wondering what it is about [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] that keeps it on the table…especially when the family name is as interesting as [name_u]Merrill[/name_u]!
What about [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] [name_u]Merrill[/name_u]? Or [name_u]Merrill[/name_u] [name_m]Thomas[/name_m]?
I, too, have been toying with the name [name_m]Thomas[/name_m]. But also like you, can’t love it- and for all of your exact same reasons! I am not sure which is more off-putting to me: sounding stuffy by insisting his name is [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] (not [name_m]Tom[/name_m]) or him actually being called (and enjoying) [name_m]Tom[/name_m]/[name_m]Tommy[/name_m] by his friends at school. So yeah, I have the same internal struggle. I think its a name I like for other children, just not my own.