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I Call My Kids Everything But Their Given Names
Choosing a name for my first son was an event of prime importance. We decided on the name of his great-great-grandfather, Addison, for his first name, paired with the middle name David—a tribute to my father and brother-in-law. It was a perfect match, and I couldn’t help but feel a swell of pride as compliments rolled in from everyone. “Wow, that sounds presidential!” one lady exclaimed. Yes, indeed, I thought it was marvelous. But guess what? We call him Add. Yep, as in, “this doesn’t add up” or “you can add that to your Amazon cart.” That nickname stuck, courtesy of his little sister, and now at 13, we hardly ever call him anything else. Add, add, add.
We followed a similar naming journey with our second child, naming her after her great-great-grandmother. We both adored the name Anna, and it complemented my name, Jamie, beautifully. “What a lovely name,” people would say. But nowadays, she goes by “Lady.” I find myself saying, “Oh, Lady,” at least a dozen times a day—even cheering for her at her basketball games with that name. It fits her perfectly. Just looking at her, I think, she truly is my lady.
The real adventure began with our third child, who arrived as a chunky, shiny bundle. We named him Jack, but I quickly dubbed him “Bubble.” As he grew, he became “Chubby Bubble,” and eventually “Chubble” (you know, a chubby bubble) to make it easier for the older kids. Then, around his first birthday, I gave him a kiss on his soft head and thought, “Smooth as butter,” so he became “Butter.” Soon enough, his siblings started calling him “Bubba” since it was easier to say. And to this very day, he’s affectionately known as my “Bubba.”
Isn’t it amusing? We invested so much time picking out the ideal names, keeping them a secret to protect our precious choices. We proudly announce them on birth announcements, only to find ourselves calling them “Bubba” for most of their lives. Sometimes these nicknames are derived from their given names, while other times they highlight a physical trait or personality quirk (my favorite kind). Some might think it’s cheesy, but I find it delightful, and I know many parents have had their own endearing nicknames for their children.
Before you know it, family, friends, and even teachers start using these nicknames. They stick for a reason: they’re fun, charming, and often suit our little ones better than their formal names because of their unique qualities. Choosing a name for your baby is a meaningful process. It reflects your family and your hopes or perhaps even a name you wished you had as a child. Ultimately, the names we give our children say more about us than they do about the tiny people we’re naming.
However, despite all the thought that goes into naming your little one, you’ll likely end up calling them something entirely different for the majority of their lives. And honestly, that will feel just as special. For more insights on pregnancy and home insemination, check out this excellent resource from Healthline. If you’re interested in exploring your own family journey, you can also find helpful information on artificial insemination at Make a Mom.
Summary
Choosing a name for a child is a thoughtful process that often results in unexpected nicknames that stick for life. While parents may spend time selecting a meaningful name, the reality is that these children frequently end up being called playful and affectionate nicknames instead. Such names can reflect their personalities and traits, creating a special bond between parent and child.