My son is six-months old. We named him [name_m]Lucas[/name_m] at birth. I wanted [name_m]Lucas[/name_m] and my husband wanted [name_m]Louie[/name_m]. We compromised by naming him [name_m]Lucas[/name_m] and my husband could nickname him [name_m]Louie[/name_m]. We each call him a different name, which has led to our family and friends inventing many other nicknames, including [name_m]Luke[/name_m], [name_u]Lou[/name_u], Lukie, and [name_u]Luca[/name_u]. It drives me crazy that everyone calls him something different. What should I do? Anyone else with a [name_m]Lucas[/name_m] have this challenge?
In my family (and area generally) nicknames are par the course and it happens organically. You can’t really stop it. Unless you go around telling people that you don’t like the name they’re using.
However, lots of nn used as babies peter out as a child grows and they’re left with 1-2 names. Likely to be the ones used by parents, in my experience.
I don’t think you can avoid others shortening to [name_m]Luke[/name_m] or [name_u]Lou[/name_u] (especially with the names you use) but you can gently correct when someone shortens his name, just by saying “no, it’s just [name_m]Lucas[/name_m]/[name_m]Louie[/name_m]”.
I do know a [name_m]Lucas[/name_m] who is just called [name_m]Lucas[/name_m]. His mother corrects people the first time they shorten it and nearly everyone sticks to the full name after that.
My daughter is [name_f]Lucille[/name_f] and we call her [name_f]Lucille[/name_f] or [name_f]Lulu[/name_f]. Some people call her [name_f]Lucy[/name_f] or [name_m]Luc[/name_m] and I personally just let it go. She is 4. As time has gone on more people call her by the names we call her. Because they’re the names she calls herself and relates to. Once he starts calling himself by certain names, people will usually follow his lead.