Baby Names Beware - These Are Typically Reduced to Nicknames

If you don't want to give your child a name that will ultimately end up being changed with a nickname that is less powerful, you may want to avoid the following names that usually end up shortened into a flimsy less powerful version of the original.

Alexander is a great name (Alexander the Great, ha ha) but it doesn't matter if it is a boy or a girl, they will end up being called Alex or Lexy.

Augustus, while powerful in it's original form, is often shortened to Gus becoming less prominent.

Bradford becomes Brad or Bradley, not much change, but a little boring compared to the formal name.

Donovan has become increasingly popular since Donovan McNabb, the NFL Quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles, and is less likely to be shortened to Don or Donny.

Emmanuel can be reduced to Manny, referencing the cartoon Handy Manny, a Hispanic Handy Man who talks to his tools. Definitely not recommended.

Franklin, which is often altered to Frank or Frankie was popular in the Frank Sinatra era, but not so much now. Franklin is also the name of an animated turtle that has a variety of animal friends on the Preschool TV Station Noggin.

Randolph is often changed to Randy. Not spectacular.

Sophia is becoming increasingly popular with parents nick naming their child Sophie or even Fi-Fi, which sounds like a dog's name. Not something you want to name a homely girl, she will never make it to eighth grade without perpetual teasing.

Here are some other commonly shortened names that end up with nicknames instead of the formal intended name given at birth.

Abigail becomes Abby or Gail.

Cassandra becomes Cassie.

Deborah becomes Debbie.

Elizabeth becomes Liz, Lizzy or Beth.

Gwendolyn becomes Gwen, which is actually pretty popular since Gwyneth Paltrow emerged, not much room for teasing.

Jacob is sometimes changed to Jake, a common dogs name.

Josephine becomes Joe or Josey.

Magdalena becomes Maggie.

Roxanna becomes Roxy, typically tough or promiscuous in movie characters.

Susannah becomes Suzie or Susan.

Samuel or Samantha becomes Sam or Sammy.

Roderick becomes Rod or Rick or Rodney.

Woodrow becomes Woody, I won't even comment on this.

You may like the idea of your baby having one of these nicknames, in which case, go ahead and use it. Just keep in mind that eventually your baby will become a child that goes to school, at which time an attendance roster will be called. Ultimately, their formal name will be utilized in public and your child could face criticism if you don't think things through in advance.

Names are a primary target for childhood teasing and you don't want to provide any unnecessary ammunition against your own child if at all possible. A name is something you need to give serious consideration to before naming your child.