My husband and I adore the name [name_m]Edward[/name_m] with the nickname [name_m]Eddie[/name_m], so much so that it is our #1 choice for our third son. We had initially ruled it out, but we threw it back on to the drawing board two days ago. Yesterday, I posted a question about the name [name_m]Edward[/name_m] and got a lot of feedback that really made me think: Is [name_m]Edward[/name_m] the right choice for our son?
At the moment, we think it is. We still have 17 days until the babies are here, but we would like to choose their names before they are born on [name_u]November[/name_u] 2. We really don’t like the nickname [name_m]Ed[/name_m], but we understand that it will most likely happen later on in life. However, I know two adult [name_m]Eddie[/name_m]'s who solely go by [name_m]Eddie[/name_m] (one is in his thirties and the other is in his forties). Is there hope for [name_m]Edward[/name_m] to be [name_m]Eddie[/name_m], or should we be absolutely prepared for [name_m]Ed[/name_m]?
Our runner-up name at the moment is [name_m]Samuel[/name_m] with the nickname [name_u]Sam[/name_u]. We also have [name_m]Nathaniel[/name_m] “[name_m]Nate[/name_m]” and [name_m]Benjamin[/name_m] “[name_m]Ben[/name_m]” on our list.
So, should we scratch [name_m]Edward[/name_m] off our list if we’re afraid of [name_m]Ed[/name_m], or should we go for it? This is not our final decision at the moment, but we are just wondering.
Big brothers are [name_m]William[/name_m] [name_u]Evan[/name_u] and [name_m]Joel[/name_m] Harner.
Thanks!
[name_f]Jenna[/name_f], [name_m]Jack[/name_m], [name_m]Will[/name_m], [name_m]Joel[/name_m], and Pumpkin Butt
I think you should go with it. There is a good chance that he will not want to go by [name_m]Ed[/name_m]. There is also the possibility that he will want to go by his full name. Another posibility is the nickname [name_u]Teddy[/name_u].
I wouldn’t scrap it from your list because of [name_m]Ed[/name_m]. At the end of the day, it’ll probably be down to your son to choose what he goes by when he’s older but I’m sure if you make sure he is never called [name_m]Ed[/name_m] when he’s younger and only ever goes by [name_m]Eddie[/name_m] or [name_m]Edward[/name_m] then he’ll probably be more I clined to stick with that. It may be helpful to throw it casually into conversation when he’s near by though like ‘…And that’s [name_m]Eddie[/name_m], or [name_m]Edward[/name_m] not [name_m]Ed[/name_m] though’
And anyway, even if he does choose to go by [name_m]Ed[/name_m] when he’s older, it doesn’t mean you have to call him that. I know lots of people who are called one thing by their friends and something else by their parents because that’s what their parents have always called them.
We went with a [name_m]Edmund[/name_m] despite not liking [name_m]Eddie[/name_m] or [name_m]Ed[/name_m]. I don’t regret it. He’s two and on,y once has someone called him [name_m]Eddie[/name_m]. And we haven’t been firm about it yet. I have a three syllable nane And it’s really rare that people take the liberty of shortening it. People are generally smart enough to figure out if you’re introduced with a name that’s what you want to be called.
I’m sure when he goes to school kids will shorten if that’s what he wants. If he’s attached to his full name I’m sure that’s what he will go by. I know lots of say Andrews that never went by [name_u]Andy[/name_u] or [name_u]Drew[/name_u]. Or [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] that was never [name_m]Tom[/name_m]. It’s doable if that’s what the kiddo wants.
The other thing is he might even like [name_m]Ed[/name_m] later. Once it’s your child and youre used to hearing [name_m]Edward[/name_m] and saying it a lots you might start to feel different about [name_m]Ed[/name_m]. I used to hate [name_m]Ed[/name_m] but it’s actually grown on me tons. Plus the singer [name_m]Ed[/name_m] Sheeran made me sorta like it.
[name_m]Don[/name_m]'t Ditch [name_m]Edward[/name_m]. It’s an awesome name !
@jenna_momof3, I am feeling all that @essa has said is what I think too.
You have an older child, I take it that you have not had any issues with his nicknames? In DH’s family and in an older Australia, Williams were called Bill whether they liked it or not. Maybe, its thanks to, Diana, Princess of Wales, that changed - so we now have Wills, Willem, Will and William.
Our son is Edmund [too]. He was named for ‘Ned’ and we use ‘Ned.’ In official situations he is Edmund and I have heard Australians particularly, in their sense of friendliness call him ‘Ed’ but they quickly pick-up that our son is not Ed, he is Ned or Edmund. They perhaps overhear someone who knows him better, say Ned, and unless they are deliberately irritating people, don’t want to feel silly, and swap to Ned. I don’t dislike Ed fortunately & as @essa made the point - Ed may be your son’s preferred mode of address when he is older. That’s when they are not ‘ours’ any more.
I don’t dislike Ed so its easier for me to say.
Reluctant to drag myself into this. If Mom had not ‘bitten the bullet’ over her utter dread of nickname, Cress/Cressy, then, I most likely would have been Juliette (my sister 10 years junior, carries the name beautifully with blonde ringlets and big blue eyes.)
Will be thinking of you in your search for the best resolution.
Ed -ited, to add for me @drhenry’s post makes more really valid points. Edmund is a great name!
