My husband and I decided on [name]Tabitha[/name] for our daughter - I’m 25 weeks pregnant and we have a 16-month-old son named [name]Christian[/name].
Our girl name for [name]Christian[/name] was [name]Abigail[/name], a name DH has always loved. We assumed it as our girl name with this pregnancy, too, but I was never 100% because of its popularity and the nickname [name]Abby[/name]. I’m just not a nickname person.
Then he suggested [name]Tabitha[/name], which I initially loved because it’s pretty, not too popular, easy to spell, and from the Bible, which is important to us. We decided that would be her name, and I still love it, but I have three issues:
Bewitched, which everyone keeps bringing up. I never even watched it. Is that a bad association?
Nicknames: [name]Tabi[/name]/[name]Tabby[/name] or Tabs. Can’t stand either of them!
Cats. For some reason people seem to associate it with felines.
I feel like I’m overthinking this. I still really like the name and it’s so hard for DH and I to agree on a name. What do you think?
It is associated with Bewitched, but that certainly isn’t a bad thing, and after getting to know a real person with the name the association will wear off for most people.
I like [name]Tabby[/name] as a nn, but I don’t think it has to be used. You never know, she might want to go by [name]Tabby[/name] as she gets older, so if you’re completely against it you should take that into consideration before naming her. Bitty is another nn that comes to mind that you might like better.
As for the cat thing, I don’t really know. I guess because there’s the link between cats and witches and [name]Tabitha[/name] being a witch people started using it as a cats name, but I don’t think it’s anything to worry about in the slightest.
[name]Tabitha[/name] is very cute, though not something that I’d use myself. I’m not party of the Bewitched generation, but the first thing I was going to say that it makes me think of cats! I think it’s because of the ‘tabby’ cat. Cats are quite “cool” now though, so I think that would be fine
As for the nickname issues, I’d say the best way to avoid nicknames you don’t like is to find one you do like and make sure people know it’s the “designated nickname”. I would suggest [name]Kitty[/name] or [name]Cat[/name] because of the feline association, but since that’s not something you think of when you hear [name]Tabitha[/name] it probably wouldn’t work for you. If not, you might like [name]Taffy[/name] or Bitty. If you really do hate nicknames, just make it clear at birth that you’d prefer for her to just go by [name]Tabitha[/name] People will catch on soon enough. You won’t be able to control it when she’s older and in school though, keep that in mind.
Oh geez… can I just jump in here and say “not Bitty”! I don’t know how popular [name]Little[/name] [name]Britain[/name] is where you live, but there is a regular sketch about an adult who is still breastfed by his mother by demanding “bitty” when he’s hungry. I do quite like [name]Taffie[/name] as a nickname though, and [name]Tibby[/name].
In regards to your other questions, I have never seen Bewitched so I don’t really associate the name directly with it, but I get the impression that it’s not a bad association. Also, I think the cat association comes both from tabby cat and from the witch connection, but I don’t think either are particularly bad either. When I was a kid I probably would have thought these associations were pretty cool!
As a Bewitched fan I would say it’s a positive association. [name]Tabitha[/name] was the main character’s daughter (later seasons) who always got into trouble by using witchcraft in cute childlike ways. The television series is actually credited with bringing this name back into popular usage with a resurgence back onto the charts after the show aired.
I think [name]Tabitha[/name] is very cute. We named our oldest DD [name]Sabrina[/name] which at times is associated with “[name]Sabrina[/name] the Teenage Witch” which I loathe and was a big hangup for me before we named her but it hasnt been a problem and kids her age will never know what that show was. [name]Tabitha[/name] will only be a connection to the TV show for the older generation and as PP pointed out, not really a negative one. I think the tougher issue is the nickname, for me, that could be a dealbreaker.
I love [name]Tabitha[/name] and think it’s a perfect match with your son’s name.
[name]Tibby[/name] would be another suggestion for a nickname if you don’t like [name]Tabby[/name]. Also, there is an old nameberry blog that discusses “old fashioned nicknames” and [name]Abby[/name] used to be a popular nn for [name]Tabitha[/name]. That would be kinda cute to use at home maybe since you both like the name [name]Abigail[/name] so much. I agree, [name]Abigail[/name] is great, but the popularity is a little intimidating.
I love the name [name]Tabitha[/name] and would use it if my boyfriend’s last name didn’t start with a P. I know a [name]Tabitha[/name] in her early twenties, a lovely, intelligent girl. Although I have heard her called [name]Tabby[/name] a few times, most people refer to her as [name]Tabitha[/name] and that is how she introduces herself. I think you may hear the [name]Tabi[/name]/[name]Tabby[/name] nickname occasionally, but teaching your daughter to introduce herself using her full name (and politely re-directing if someone persists in using the nickname) should work wonders. I’d definitely use it!
Thanks everyone! This is why I love nameberry. Your thoughts were really helpful. I am going to defend her against [name]Tabby[/name] until someday she decides she loves it.
[name]Just[/name] thought I’d chime in here! I have a daughter named [name]Tabitha[/name] and we have never had a problem with [name]Tab[/name]/[name]Tabby[/name] nicknames. She goes by Bit. The nickname came from an endearment my hub used a lot when she was born: she was his “little bit”. I suppose it stuck because it fit with her name too. We do get witch comments but never in a negative way - people relate it to bewitched not evil hags!!! Most people are very complementary. I don’t see the cat connection and again this is something we’ve not encountered. [name]Hope[/name] thats useful! [name]Liz[/name] x
I think the cat association is because of the “tabby” cat. It is just a cat with distinctive markings. I think it might be equal to someone naming their daughter [name]Alexandra[/name] or [name]Allison[/name] and calling her “Alley [name]Cat[/name]” as a nickname. So it is a stretch for someone to say [name]Tabitha[/name] has a cat association. Oh, just googled “tabitha cat” and there is a cat character with the name and it seems to be a popular cat name. [name]Jack[/name] and [name]Max[/name] are popular dog’s names. In other words, I would not have this association stop be from using it.
I am going to defend her against [name]Tabby[/name] until someday she decides she loves it. 