Do you think it would work to call a baby Seb as it’s full name and not short for Sebastian (or another name) ? I’m thinking not, but I would love to hear what others think.
The reason I ask is that I love Seb but don’t love Sebastian. I’ve researched other names that Seb could be short for (eg. Sebulon, Eusebio, Sebastiano etc) and I don’t like any better than Sebastian.
Some context that is swaying me slightly:
I live in England where nickname names are extremely common as full names, (I am a primary school teacher and have taught many Alfies, Freddies etc) so that makes it seem slightly less weird
My real name is a ‘nickname’ name that people always assume is short for a longer name (think Kate not Katherine or Betty not Elizabeth) I’ve always appreciated not having a longer name that I would never use
Personally I don’t feel that my child needs a long/formal name for things like future jobs or to give them more options for names when they’re older, but I know a lot of people feel strongly about that
Having said all that, my big hesitation is that Seb on its own isn’t an ‘established’ name like other nickname names eg. Freddie and Alfie, so it would be too odd. And I think they’d get sick of people assuming that their name is Sebastian and having to say ‘It’s just Seb, not Sebastian’ all the time. I think I just need to learn to like Sebastian!
Thanks for reading my rambling thoughts (pregnancy is definitely making me overthink everything ) and thank you in advance for your help!
Honestly, I think Seb is just fine on its own! Sure, most people will assume it’s short for Sebastian. But I don’t think that’s the end of the world, or that it’d be too annoying to correct! You yourself said you have an uncommon nickname name, and it doesn’t seem like it upset you having to correct people.
Sebastian is quite familiar as a first name, so I don’t think anyone would find just-Seb too odd on its own. Even if they don’t make the connection that it’s a diminutive of Sebastian, they’ll just see it as a cool, laid-back & modern-sounding short name that’s easy to spell and pronounce. Not too weird!
So overall, I’m all for just Seb! Shepherd “Seb” did come to mind as well for a full name, so I thought I’d throw it out there, but in my opinion, Seb doesn’t need a full name, especially in England.
I think [name_m]Seb[/name_m] is fine - kind of like [name_u]Kit[/name_u] or [name_u]Jem[/name_u] i know someone called [name_m]Seb[/name_m] -it is a nickname but they use it exclusively and in a professional setting, so why not! I can see it working in [name_u]England[/name_u]
I say go for it!!! Im always a proponent of naming your child what you will call them, and I don’t see the point in giving them a longer name you don’t love!
I can see him having to clarify it a bit but I think it could work - different nickname names become more familiar over time - I’d never heard of [name_u]Albie[/name_u] until a few years ago and now it’s everywhere! [name_u]Theo[/name_u], [name_m]Zac[/name_m], [name_u]Max[/name_u] all get used alone as well as more traditional Alex/Sam/Joe/Ben etc. So while there’ll be some ‘just Seb’ required, it’s not too out there
I wouldn’t but only because I think [name_m]Sebastian[/name_m] is one of the most beautiful boys names out there! I personally find it a bit strange, like naming your child just [name_m]Dan[/name_m] or [name_m]Ron[/name_m] for example. But it does seem like it’s more common now to just use the preferred diminutive as a first name. You might spend a lot of time saying “no, not [name_m]Sebastian[/name_m], just Seb” but ultimately name your baby what you want others to call him!
I think your little guy will have the [name_m]Seb[/name_m] not [name_m]Sebastian[/name_m] conversation a whole lot as it’s not an established nickname name. I’d go with [name_m]Sebastian[/name_m] and enjoy using the part you love day to day.
Works for sure and doesn’t actually sound nickname-y to me; sort of similar to [name_u]Kit[/name_u] (or even [name_u]Joe[/name_u] when thinking about it) but a bit more mature sounding.
I think you’d be alright. I like “nickname” names too. [name_u]An[/name_u] alternative, if you like other S names, would be to use the initials as his nickname [name_m]Silas[/name_m] [name_m]Edwin[/name_m] [name_u]Bennett[/name_u] or something.
I think maybe it could be misheard as [name_u]Seth[/name_u] but it would be a simple correction and shouldn’t cause many problems.
I knew a [name_m]Brad[/name_m] in high school and people always assumed he was [name_u]Bradley[/name_u] but he said “just Brad” to anyone new and it was never a problem or even commented on again.
[name_m]Even[/name_m] the most common of names can be misheard or misspelled, go with what you love and people will be okay with it.
It’s unusual for sure (I’m American, so even more so) but that makes me like it more. I think it’s much cooler and less cutesy than a lot of boy nickname names like [name_u]Alfie[/name_u] or [name_u]Freddie[/name_u]. I also like [name_m]Sebastian[/name_m], but if you don’t, then definitely don’t make yourself use it just to fit a prescribed standard, you know? :)) I say go for it!
) and thank you in advance for your help!
i know someone called [name_m]Seb[/name_m] -it is a nickname but they use it exclusively and in a professional setting, so why not! I can see it working in [name_u]England[/name_u]
I don’t mind nickname names in general but I prefer established ones.