Does [name_u]Sam[/name_u] easily follow as a nickname of [name_m]Simon[/name_m]?
No, I don’t think it does. I also would hate to see the familiar-but-underused [name_m]Simon[/name_m] be given such a common nickname, though [name_u]Sam[/name_u] is nice.
I don’t know why you would need to shorten [name_m]Simon[/name_m]. I don’t think [name_u]Sam[/name_u] works.
Doesn’t make sense. [name_m]Simon[/name_m] doesn’t even need a nickname.
I understand how you would get [name_u]Sam[/name_u] from [name_m]Simon[/name_m], but since it’s such a common nickname for another name I think it would get confusing.
I would either call him [name_m]Simon[/name_m] with no nn, or name him [name_m]Samuel[/name_m] and call him [name_u]Sam[/name_u] for a nn.
I can’t see [name_u]Sam[/name_u] as a nickname for [name_m]Simon[/name_m]. There’s always [name_m]Samson[/name_m] nn [name_u]Sam[/name_u], it’s somewhat similar to [name_m]Simon[/name_m].
I think it works fine. Some common nicknames are waaay more of a stretch ([name_m]Henry[/name_m] - [name_m]Harry[/name_m], [name_u]James[/name_u] - [name_m]Jim[/name_m], etc.) I don’t see a problem with using a common nickname if you really like it; [name_m]Samuel[/name_m]/[name_u]Sam[/name_u]'s not all that common now anyway. As for [name_u]Sam[/name_u] usually being a nn for something else, I don’t see why that matters. It’s kind of refreshing for the nn to be used for something a bit different. That said, [name_m]Cy[/name_m]/[name_u]Si[/name_u] is another nickname for [name_m]Simon[/name_m] which I think I prefer.
They’re a stretch, I agree, but there’s a difference between long-established nicknames that are technically a stretch and a parent trying to fit [name_u]Sam[/name_u], a long-established nickname for another name, into a nickname for [name_m]Simon[/name_m]. If [name_u]Sam[/name_u] goes around introducing himself, he’ll have to correct a lot of people on his full name.
OP: I think [name_u]Si[/name_u]/[name_m]Cy[/name_m] is much less inconvenient for all of you (and for him especially in the future). If you don’t like that, how about, uh, [name_m]Sime[/name_m]? (OK, stretching here too.)
I agree with this.
In theory it works, but in real it will probably just confuse people.
I don’t think if really works. I like [name_u]Si[/name_u] or [name_m]Sim[/name_m] (pronounced like The [name_m]Sims[/name_m] rather than to rhyme with… well rhyme).
Not feeling [name_u]Sam[/name_u] for [name_m]Simon[/name_m], although both are lovely!