I can't enjoy my baby "Viktoria"

Girl Names
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On [name]November[/name] 9th, 2009 I gave birth to my beautiful baby daughter [name]Viktoria[/name] [name]Eve[/name]. My husband and I are both Russian and wanted to give our children names with Russian roots. My son”s names are [name]Alec[/name] and [name]Maxim[/name], two names which filled this requirement as well as now our daughter [name]Viktoria[/name], whose nickname [name]Vika[/name] is Russian. However I am having constant anxiety regarding people calling her [name]Vicki[/name]. Actually, constant anxiety is an understatement. I”m talking about full out guilt and depression. I absolutely dislike the nick name [name]Vicki[/name]. I have to point out that this was a major point of contention when I was pregnant with her but I guess I ”made myself”? fall in love with the name and hence named her a name that is commonly shortened to a nick name that I have an aversion to. I find myself fantasizing about different names for her, such as [name]Natalie[/name] or [name]Emma[/name]. I find myself calling her these names in secret. It”s kind of sick at this point. The thing is, I don”t know if I really love the name [name]Natalie[/name] of [name]Emma[/name], or is my fear of the name [name]Viktoria[/name] being shortened to [name]Vicki[/name] plaguing my mind.

My husband wants to register her in school as [name]Vika[/name] and only [name]Vika[/name]. I want her to be [name]Vika[/name] and at times [name]Viktoria[/name] because I do like her full given name. However I continue to remain paranoid that people will still some how change her name (including [name]Vika[/name]) to [name]Vicki[/name] which is not her name.

To further complicate the issue, I love the name [name]Vita[/name], more so than [name]Vika[/name] ([name]Vika[/name] is my husband’s obsession, not mine). Is it possible to call her [name]Vika[/name] at home cause that’s what makes him happy and register her as [name]Vita[/name] in schools? [name]Will[/name] registering her as a [name]Vita[/name] better ensure that she will not be called [name]Vicki[/name]? Please, please advice. I have seriously been dealing with major anxiety about this.

2

yanachka,
viktoria is a lovely name and is vika (but only in russian). i think u should register her as viktoria not vika or vita as it will always be mispronounced in school. calling her emma or natalie is weird lol. stop stressing about vicki if u make it clear that is not her name i am sure everyone will follow ur lead.
i dunno if ur from nyc or not but what do u think if michelle or michella… too brighton?

3

[name]Viktoria[/name] is a beautiful name and [name]Vika[/name] is adorable (much better than [name]Vicki[/name], I agree). Other moms have posted here about changing their baby’s name. I don’t think you should do that except as a last resort, but if you are really unhappy then changing her name isn’t the end of the world. That said, I do not think that [name]Vicki[/name] will be a problem. Register her as [name]Viktoria[/name] and call her [name]Vika[/name]. Others will follow suit.

4

I imagine that the school will want her formal name on their records and it may be excellent for the teachers to call her [name]Viktoria[/name] because the children may follow suit, no guarantees though.

[name]Viktoria[/name]'s peer group are likely to give her a nn but if you have instilled into [name]Viktoria[/name] that her nn is [name]Vika[/name] or [name]Vita[/name] (I like [name]Vika[/name], prnd as veeka) and [name]Vita[/name] reminds me of Life, but over here in Australia we have a very popular brand of breakfast cereal called [name]Vita[/name] Brits, but we say Vy tah not Vee tah.

Another nn is [name]Tori[/name] like the American [name]Tori[/name] Spelling.

I travelled to [name]Russia[/name] a few years ago and I am also going back in a few months.

Why not start calling her [name]Eve[/name]? Many, many people use their middle names as a first name, if you did this you could give her a pet name at home and yet all her friends and family could call her [name]Eve[/name].

I love the names that you have chosen for all your children.

I hope that the anxiety you are feeling can be overcome by reaching a helpful solution for you. Keep in touch and keep posting till you feel satisfied.

All the best.

5

I would register her as [name]Viktoria[/name] and have her called [name]Viktoria[/name] at school. The girls might start calling her [name]Tory[/name]. But if you tell the school her name is [name]Vika[/name], they might start calling her [name]Vicky[/name]. I like [name]Vicky[/name] but it is not in style for kids.

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see below

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[name]Yanka[/name],

[name]Viktoria[/name] is a cool, classic name, and I love [name]Vika[/name]! It’s ironic that I’m seeing this post because I’ve been watching a lot of tennis lately with the Australian Open going on, and [name]Victoria[/name] “[name]Vika[/name]” Azarenka of Belarus just lost to [name]Serena[/name] [name]Williams[/name] recently. Spunky, sweet, clever nickname!

I’ve known several [name]Victoria[/name]'s in my lifetime, as [name]Victoria[/name] was another name that was experiencing a revival when I was born (1990). Never, ever, were any of these girls called [name]Vicky[/name] ([name]Vicki[/name]), and I don’t think your [name]Viktoria[/name] will be, either. You see, just as naming trends change, so do nickname trends. [name]Beth[/name] was a bigger nickname for [name]Elizabeth[/name] back in the 60s and 70s, whereas [name]Lizzy[/name], [name]Liz[/name], [name]Ellie[/name], and [name]Libby[/name] are more fashionable now. For [name]Victoria[/name], [name]Vicky[/name] was the nickname of the 70s, but now, [name]Tori[/name] is more in favor. In your case, [name]Vika[/name], the Russian nickname, is the new [name]Tori[/name]! So, I wouldn’t worry about people calling [name]Viktoria[/name] [name]Vicki[/name] at all - call her what you will, and people will follow suit. Worst case scenario is her friends call her [name]Tori[/name], but is that really so awful? Likely, [name]Viktoria[/name] will say, “My name is [name]Viktoria[/name], but you can call me [name]Vika[/name],” thus ending the nickname debate as she ages…

Finally, you should always register your child in school with her full name, [name]Viktoria[/name]. If there is a spot to put her nickname, then so be it, but really you can just tell her teacher when you drop her off, “This is [name]Viktoria[/name], but we all just call her [name]Vika[/name]! You can do the same.”

[name]Don[/name]'t stress - you’ve chosen a great name for your baby girl!

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Jessya, you’re too funny. Actually I have thrown the name [name]Vika[/name] around with Americans and they love the name. I’ve noticed that Russians with the name [name]Vika[/name] like to go by the name [name]Vicki[/name] because they want to Americanize their names. I and my husband like “Russifying” the names. Probably because we have lived in the US for 30+ years and that is one of the few things we can pass on to our American children. I’m just still scared that [name]Vika[/name] will still somehow turn in to [name]Vicki[/name]. Which is why I prefer [name]Vita[/name] (if they turn [name]Vita[/name] to Viti, I can care less).

Also, even if I insist on people calling her [name]Viktoria[/name] the past has shown that this name is commonly shortened. More so then names such as [name]Katherine[/name] or [name]Christine[/name].

Yes, I am from NY and no I do not think that [name]Michelle[/name] ([name]Michella[/name]) is too [name]Brighton[/name]. Now names such as [name]Gabbi[/name] or [name]Jackie[/name] that’s another story. But [name]Brighton[/name] or not, this experience has taught me to go with a name that you love regardless of what others may think.

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[name]Lemon[/name], I am not a tennis fan but did come across [name]Victoria[/name] Azarenka’s name when I was researching the use of the name “[name]Vika[/name]”. She was the first Russian person I came across who actually used “[name]Vika[/name]” as a nickname instead of changing it the American version of that name.

In general thank-you so much for your wise, heart-warming, encouraging words. I will read them each time I doubt her beautiful name. Yes, I truly do believe that her name is beautiful. Never doubted the beauty and strong meaning behind the name. [name]Just[/name] want to start enjoying the name, is all.

Thank-you again. You are very smart and sweet.

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I imagine that the school will want her formal name on their records and it may be excellent for the teachers to call her [name]Viktoria[/name] because the children may follow suit, no guarantees though.

[name]Viktoria[/name]'s peer group are likely to give her a nn but if you have instilled into [name]Viktoria[/name] that her nn is [name]Vika[/name] or [name]Vita[/name] (I like [name]Vika[/name], prnd as veeka) and [name]Vita[/name] reminds me of Life, but over here in Australia we have a very popular brand of breakfast cereal called [name]Vita[/name] Brits, but we say Vy tah not Vee tah.

Another nn is [name]Tori[/name] like the American [name]Tori[/name] Spelling.

I travelled to [name]Russia[/name] a few years ago and I am also going back in a few months.

Why not start calling her [name]Eve[/name]? Many, many people use their middle names as a first name, if you did this you could give her a pet name at home and yet all her friends and family could call her [name]Eve[/name].

I love the names that you have chosen for all your children.

I hope that the anxiety you are feeling can be overcome by reaching a helpful solution for you. Keep in touch and keep posting till you feel satisfied.

All the best.[/quote]

Thanks [name]Rolo[/name] for looking out. The more of these encouriging responses I receive the better I will feel. What a great site, and what great people you all are.

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You are so very welcome, [name]Yanka[/name]!

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I totally agree with you, Russians try to Americanize their names and so [name]Vika[/name] introduces herself as [name]Vicky[/name]. But I think your baby will not need to Americanize and so she will probably find [name]Vika[/name] the more fashionable option.
Funny u r from [name]Brooklyn[/name]- I agree about [name]Gabby[/name] and [name]Jackie[/name] (I think [name]Michelle[/name] fits into that category too but my hubby doesnt understand- u have made me feel better lol… is it dumb to actually name her [name]Michella[/name] (with the a at the end)?

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I love [name]Viktoria[/name], and for what it’s worth, I know two Victorias who are only called [name]Victoria[/name]. I also know Elizabeths and Katherines (many of both) who have gone through life without nicknames, so it’s definitely possible to go through life nickname-free, even with a long name.

I can’t even begin to tell you how much I love [name]Vika[/name]! Wow! :slight_smile:

If you’re not comfortable with the name though, there’s no shame in choosing one that makes you happy.

I hope that you and [name]Viktoria[/name] are doing well! :slight_smile:

Best wishes to you! :slight_smile:

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[name]Hi[/name] [name]Jill[/name], Thank you for that. I obviously love to hear that people love the name [name]Viktoria[/name], and even more so, [name]Vika[/name].

[name]Do[/name] you (or anyone else) think people may still shorten [name]Vika[/name] to [name]Vicki[/name]. The reason I ask is that I noticed that people in the US have a propensity to shorten female names with an “ie” ending. For example, [name]Alyssa[/name]-[name]Allie[/name], [name]Emilie[/name]-[name]Emmie[/name], [name]Gabriella[/name]-[name]Gabbie[/name], [name]Victoria[/name]-well we know the answer to that one :slight_smile:

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Like I said, you need to name her what you love regardless of what anyone thinks. But since you wanted my opinon, I would name her [name]Michelle[/name], and have her family and friends call her [name]Michella[/name]. There is something special when people close to you call you by a special name i.e. [name]Michella[/name]. And others who are just peers and acquaintences will call her by her beautiful given name of [name]Michelle[/name].

BTW, I grew up in Queens and live on the lower east side :slight_smile:

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I can completely relate, because we named our daughter [name]Laura[/name] even though I cannot stand the name [name]Laurie[/name]!

Now, I can’t even look at the name [name]Laurie[/name] or [name]Lori[/name] without having major anxiety.

For what it’s worth, I think the -ie -y and -i nicknames are going out of style to the extent that people will no longer automatically assume that a name like [name]Viktoria[/name] or [name]Laura[/name] should inevitably be shortened to [name]Vicki[/name] or [name]Laurie[/name].

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I love the name [name]Laura[/name]. BTW, my good friend’s daughter name is [name]Laura[/name] (she wanted that name all her life for her daughter falling in love with the name from watching [name]Little[/name] House) and no one has ever called her [name]Laurie[/name]. Obviously, you understand my anxiety. I too cannot look at the name [name]Vicki[/name]. I know a couple of people on my facebook account whose threads I have deleted due to my strong aversion to that name at this point in time. I know some may think this is petty however the anxiety and fear is real. This is my daughters name. I sometimes get angry at myself for allowing the name [name]Viktoria[/name] (because of the common butchering of the name), but when I think about it, I get angry for feeling angry cuz I do love that name. [name]Don[/name]'t know. Still anxious but feeling better with all the support from the people on this site.

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[name]Viktoria[/name] [name]Eve[/name] is a very beautiful name! I know many people with very large nikname possibilities, but their parents have just said No to the nicknames! I think as long as [name]Viktoria[/name] knows that she is [name]Viktoria[/name], [name]Vika[/name] or [name]Vita[/name], she will be able to say that as she gets older and her friends begin to give her nicknames! Good luck!

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I really don’t think that people will automatically turn [name]Vika[/name] into [name]Vickie[/name]; because both names have two syllables, it’s not as though they’d be shortening anything by going with [name]Vickie[/name]. I think the potential [name]Vickie[/name] danger comes as an offshoot of [name]Victoria[/name], but with [name]Vika[/name] already in place, I think you’ve got it covered. :slight_smile:

I personally call someone the name he or she wants to be called. If someone introduces herself to me as [name]Victoria[/name], I call her [name]Victoria[/name], and if someone introduces herself as [name]Vika[/name], I call her [name]Vika[/name].

I know it’s impossible to control what people say, but I really do think it’s possible (and realistic) for her to be [name]Vika[/name], and not [name]Vickie[/name]. I know a [name]Vera[/name] who is only [name]Vera[/name], a [name]Lila[/name] who is [name]Lila[/name], an [name]Anna[/name] who is only [name]Anna[/name] (never [name]Annie[/name]), etc., so it’s definitely possible to avoid an “ie” nickname.

I was just on the phone, and asked your question to my friend, and she agrees. She said, “I would never think of calling [name]Vika[/name] “[name]Vickie[/name]” because I think of the two as different names. [name]Vickie[/name] wouldn’t enter my mind. [name]Vika[/name] is really pretty.”

See! There’s hope for [name]Vika[/name]! :slight_smile:

Good luck! :slight_smile: