When my first son was born, we put a lot of thought into his name. He was named after his great-great-grandfather, Addison, and his middle name, David, honored my father and brother-in-law. It was a thoughtful combination that I cherished. During my pregnancy, everyone was eager to know what we’d name our child, and I happily shared. The compliments poured in, with one woman even saying, “Wow, that sounds presidential!” I couldn’t agree more. Yet, today, we mainly call him “Add”—not the most creative nickname, but it has stuck since his little sister first used it. At 13, he’s known mostly as Add, add, add.
We followed the same pattern with our second child, naming her after her great-great-grandmother. We loved the name Anna; it fit nicely with my name, Kathrine. People would often say, “What a lovely name!” But now, she’s affectionately called “Lady.” I find myself saying, “Oh, Lady,” at least a dozen times a day, even cheering for her during her basketball games. It suits her perfectly.
The real fun began with our third child. My older kids were still mastering their vocabulary when he arrived. We named him Jack, but he came out as a chubby, shiny bundle of joy. I quickly dubbed him “Bubble,” which evolved into “Chubby Bubble” as he continued to grow. To simplify things for his siblings, I started calling him “Chubble.” Then, around his first birthday, I kissed his soft head and called him “Butter.” Eventually, “Bubba” became the nickname of choice, and to this day, he is affectionately known as my “Bubba.”
Isn’t it amusing? We spend so much time selecting the perfect name, keeping it under wraps to avoid copycats, and then end up calling them “Bubba” or “Lady” for the rest of their lives. These nicknames often stem from their given names or reflect their personalities, which I find delightful. Many parents I know have crafted endearing nicknames for their children, and soon enough, family, friends, and even teachers are calling them by these affectionate names. They stick around because they capture the fun, charm, and unique traits of our little ones.
Choosing a name for your baby is a sacred process. It should resonate with them and reflect your family’s essence or perhaps fulfill a childhood wish for a name you always loved. Ultimately, the names we choose say more about us than about our newborns.
However, no matter the process, be prepared: you will likely end up calling them something entirely different for most of their lives, and those nicknames will feel just as special.
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In summary, while the names we choose for our children hold great significance, the affectionate nicknames we create often become the true identifiers of who they are as they grow.