Ah, the inevitable nickname. Although short names like Rose or John can't be abridged, when it comes to longer names such as Elizabeth or Richard, there are many truncated possibilities.

Here's the kicker: whether or not you or your child decide to abridge the name for an informal touch, chances are someone else will shorten it for you. (Have you ever met a Jennifer who didn't want to be automatically called Jen? Us too.)

If moms and dads don't go the nickname-proof route with one-syllable names, they may want to select a name with predictable nicknames, like the ones below. Consider the alternative: having a daughter Ashley being called Ash or a son Anthony being referred to as Ant.







Girls
Abigail - Abby, Gail
Alexandra - Alex, Aly
Christine/Christina - Chris, Chrissy, Tina
Deborah - Debbie, Deb
Elizabeth - Liz, Lizzie, Liza, Beth
Isabella - Izzie, Bella
Jacqueline - Jackie
Jennifer - Jen, Jenna, Jenny
Kaitlyn - Katie, Lyn
Katherine - Kathy, Katie, Kat
Kathleen - Kathy, Katie, Kat
Rebecca - Becky, Becca
Victoria - Vicki, Tori, Vic

Boys
Alexander - Alex, Al
Andrew - Andy, Drew
Charles - Charlie, Chuck
Christopher - Chris, Topher
Daniel - Danny, Dan
James - Jim, Jimmy
Jonathan - John, Johnny
Joseph - Joe, Joey
Nathaniel - Nathan, Nate
Richard - Rich, Dick, Ricky
Timothy - Tim, Timmy
Thomas - Tom, Tommy
William - Will, Bill, Billy


*Vicki's real name is Victoria but she goes by her nickname Vicki or even Vic in a pinch.