Claire writes:<\/p>\n
Hello!<\/p>\n
I am due with a baby girl on June 30th. We’ve already decided her name will be Elizabeth. We simply LOVE the name. That’s not the problem.
The problem is giving her a nickname. At home, she will be Elizabeth. However, she’s due in only 3 weeks and my father-in-law is already calling her “Lizzie” or “Liz!” This is the one nickname I do NOT want for my child. I just don’t like the sound and it’s too common. I also don’t like “Beth” for the same reason.
I think our only option here is to choose a nickname WE like and use it so that THAT is the nickname people will use. If the nickname we use right from the beginning sticks, then hopefully she will not be a Liz or Lizzie.<\/p>\nSo my question: What nickname to choose?<\/p>\n
I’m drawn to Ellie, Elle, or Ella. However, I see the name Ella is already a top 20 name. I already gave my daughter a top 10 name, so I want her nickname to be different at least! Most little Elizabeth’s I know these days are going by Ellie or Elle. Plus, there are going to be SO many little “Bellas” since Isabella is such a popular name. Elle, Ella, and Ellie are too close. Plus, I already know a baby Elizabeth who is being called Ellie who will eventually be in my daughter’s class.<\/p>\n
I thought “Bess” was cute. But will she get the “Bessie the Cow” teasing? Same thing with “Betsy.” Will she get “Betsy Wetsy” teasing?<\/p>\n
What do you think? My sister thinks Buffy is cute, but I’m not sure about that.<\/p>\n
I want a nickname that isn’t too common, yet won’t incite any teasing. I want it to sound fresh and not overused like Lisa. Not old fashioned like Betty.<\/p>\n
I thought you’d be a great person to ask! Plus, I see you have a daughter Elizabeth so you probably have great incite into the “nicknames for Elizabeths” issue!<\/p>\n
Thank you!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
My Elizabeth is a pseudonym, but do you know WHY it is a pseudonym and not her actual name? BECAUSE OF THE NICKNAME PROBLEM! So I feel you, sister.<\/p>\n
Like you, my favorite nickname for Elizabeth is NO nickname. And on one hand, it’s easier to do that now than when we were children and every Elizabeth was a Beth or a Liz—but on the other hand, I didn’t want my daughter growing up and choosing FOR HERSELF one of the nicknames I disliked, and there were many I disliked, so finally we gave up on that name.<\/p>\n
I’m afraid you’re right that the nicknames Ellie and Ella are getting overdone for Elizabeth: Ellie and Ella are in style right now so people are trying to find ways to get the trendy names while still using a traditional name.<\/p>\n
I think Bess is adorable, and my guess is that Bessie the Cow has slipped from elementary school consciousness, now that so few of us own cattle. Bess would be my first choice.<\/p>\n
My second choice would be Libby. For awhile I was worried it would get overused, but it hasn’t seemed to, and now everyone’s attention is turning to Ellie so I think Libby is safe.<\/p>\n