What is your opinion of just using [name_u]Chris[/name_u] as a first name as opposed to [name_m]Christopher[/name_m]? While I am not expecting, it is a name that my SO and I very much love but we would want to use [name_u]Chris[/name_u] only.
I am having a hard time finding a middle name that flows well without comparing it to [name_m]Christopher[/name_m]. Last name is three syllables.
Well, it’s not something I would do. I know that personally, when I meet someone who introduces themselves with a common diminutive, I assume they have the full name officially. So if I met a [name_m]Rob[/name_m] I would assume that his “real” name was [name_m]Robert[/name_m], if I met a [name_f]Liz[/name_f] I would assume that she was an [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f]. I think people would assume that [name_u]Chris[/name_u] is either [name_m]Christopher[/name_m] or [name_m]Christian[/name_m] on his birth certificate - they would probably ask him which it was short for. He might get tired of being “just [name_u]Chris[/name_u]” and having to explain it.
Other than that, it’s just nice to have a formal name for formal usage - to put on your university degree, or to use in your professional life, for example. [name_u]Chris[/name_u] is a nice name for day to day use, but it looks a bit informal for certain situations. On the other hand, [name_u]Chris[/name_u] certainly has more gravity than, say, [name_u]Alfie[/name_u], so it’s not the worst ‘nickname name’.
I agree with this.
I think it is fine- [name_u]Chris[/name_u] isn’t my cup of tea, but it is a lovely name, and I think it stands well on its own. If he really doesn’t like it, he can always use [name_m]Christopher[/name_m], [name_m]Christian[/name_m], [name_m]Kristoff[/name_m] or [name_m]Christos[/name_m]. This is exactly what my mum does- her name is [name_f]Ann[/name_f], and she hates it, so she calls herself [name_f]Annie[/name_f] or [name_f]Annabelle[/name_f] and has been doing so since she was about 6. [name_u]Chris[/name_u] does have a nice genial, benevolent feel to it- very friendly.
I don’t see anything wrong with [name_u]Chris[/name_u]. It sounds a lot cooler than [name_m]Christopher[/name_m], [name_f]IMO[/name_f].
As far as middle names go, you should be fine so long as you avoid anything one-syllabled.
I’d go with [name_m]Christopher[/name_m] and just always refer to him as [name_u]Chris[/name_u] if that’s what you prefer. Once your friends and family hear you calling him that instead of [name_m]Christopher[/name_m], I’m sure that’s what they’ll call him too. I’ve got three or four friends called [name_u]Chris[/name_u], all of which are officially [name_m]Christopher[/name_m]'s but have always been [name_u]Chris[/name_u] to my friends and I.
I think it’s fine, though I personally would go with [name_m]Christopher[/name_m] so he has something more formal to fall back on. [name_f]My[/name_f] Brother in [name_m]Law[/name_m]'s name is [name_m]Christopher[/name_m] [name_m]David[/name_m], and I think that works quite well 