Conference oass::babynames

    Here's my story.
    
    My name is Karen.  My father and one of my brothers called my Kitten
    as a child and infant.  (My brother will still call me Kitten, or
    his other nickname for me, Little Buddy.)  In elementary school,
    to keep me from being confused with the 2 other Karen's in class,
    I was called Kitty.  Also, my sister called me "Shadow" (as in the
    song "Me and my Shadow").  In high school, a group of us went by
    Charlie Brown nicknames, and I was Violet.  Then came K.C., and
    Silver Unicorn.  After I got married, I picked up Amalthea, and
    my mother-in-law calls me "Little Girl".  (I am only 5' tall, and
    M-I-L is 6'.)  More recently, my friends in TOLKIEN notes gave me
    Amalthea Luincarandir, my husband calls me Peaches, and my niece
    calls me "Auntie Twin" (because we look exactly alike), and I have
    a friend who calls me "Sib" (short for sibling; he adopted me as
    a sister).
    
    These were all nicknames given TO me.  I treasure each and every
    one.
    
    If people want to give nicknames, they will.  It is not a reflection
    of the name; it is a token of affection.
    
    For the record; I think Justine Emmanuelle is a BEAUTIFUL name.
    
    K.C.

I'm faced with a similar dilemma.  My son's name is Matthew (18 mos. old),
and we usually call him Matt.  However, I've noticed his daycare providers
usually call him Matty.  I detest that name!  I was wondering whether I
should say something to them about it.  But like .1 alluded to, nicknames
are usually given out of affection.  If Matt doesn't mind, why should I?  When
he's older (and more verbal), he can choose what he'd like to be called.

My brother used to be called "Butchie" from the time he was born until he was
about 10 years old.  All of a sudden he told my parents to call him "Ray" (his
given name).  Everyone has called him Ray ever since, except for one aunt who
occasionally slips.

- �ori

BTW, I knew a Justine who went by Tina

    Thanks for adding perspective. When I think about it, her uncle who
    calls her beaner all the time (he even forgot her name was Justine and
    she was 5 months old at the time) called his daughter Peeps when she
    was small consistently. She is now 6 and Peeps has not stuck.
    
    It looks like Beans is the nickname of choice for her dad and yes all 
    of the nicknames are given out of affection. I don't think I will 
    "announce" to everyone a sanctioned nickname but if people give her a
    nickname I won't ask them to stop calling her that.
    
    THANKS, Jan		(I used to wish my name was longer!!)

    
    I have never been one for giving nicknames. I had the same problem
    461.2 as to my son's babysitter calling him Stevie.  I detested that
    name.  I named my son Stephen and that is the name I want him to be 
    called.  The first time I heard the babysitter and the other children
    she provides care for call him Stevie in my presence, I said his name
    is Stephen, please call him that. It only took a few times to remind
    them, and now it is always Stephen.
    
    Evelyn
    

    I completely understand how you feel about unsolicited nicknames.
    If you would rather she be called Justine, then always refer to
    her in that manner and people will start to pick it up by habit.
    I always wanted my daughter to be known as Rachel but even catch
    myself referring to her as Rach, Rachie, or Hooter (there's a story
    behind that) The little girls at the babysitter's call her Baby
    'Achel and they're all said out of affection. Her dad calls her
    several silly names just out of silliness. I guess my point being
    even though you try to give them a beautiful give name sometimes
    a nickname seems appropriate. As they get older they seem to disappear.
    If you don't want them though, stick to your guns and say to everyone,
    "I prefer that you call her Justine" BTW its a beautiful name.
    
    Cindy Lilly

    I agree with everyone's comments.  Nicknames always will continue to
    pop up and sometimes even change.  If "you" like Justine, (like #5
    mentions) just call her Justine.  Others will call her Justine
    occasionally and other times by "their little nickname".  Nicknames are
    fun and the "real" name usually is spoken by all more often than not.
    SO I don't think you should worry at all.  (I know a girl named Justine
    and once in awhile I'll call her Justi when I am hurrying)
    
    Good luck!
    
    C

    Nicknames are fun.  They'll have plenty of time for "serious" names
    when they grown up.  My sister is having a baby any day.  She picked
    Corey Douglas.  We all think Corey is a little feminine.  We're
    trying to think of a nickname we can call him (we know it's a boy).
     We've thought of Applecore, CD (seedy), and 3-year-old Zachary
    likes Cocoa.  The things parents do to their kids.  Let them have
    fun -- they're only little for a short time!!

    My name is Justine.  I was named after my Great Grandmother.       
    (Justine Ann)
                                                                       
    When I was born my mother thought that "Justine" was such a large  
    name for a little baby that they nicknamed me "Tina". That was okay
    while I was young since in the 60s and 70s Justine was not a common
    name and Tina was more of the norm.                                
                                                                       
    But as I got older with Social Security, badge numbers, college    
    etc. it was easier for me to introduce myself as Justine and I do  
    now.                                                       
                                                                       
    Other nick names that crept up on me were Tini, Tina the weena,    
    T, all based on Tina....now I get Jussie which I think is much nicer
    if any at all.
                  
    Also consider this, prior to getting married people new me as
    Tina Thompson and now I'm Justine Porell....sometimes it causes
    more confusion than anticipated.                            
                                                                
    My vote would be to call her Justine...its a nice name and will make
    her life easy.  :)                                            
                                                                       
    

    I think Justine is a beautiful name - and don't worry about the
    nicknames.  Like someone else said "...it's a way of showing
    affection."  My husband has always loved the name Ally for a girl.
    Me, well, I didn't really like it at all.  Then I got pregnant and
    had a girl.  My husband kept insisting on Ally - so I said, "O.K.
    we'll compromise.  Her name will be Allyson."  Anyway, I find myself
    calling her Ally all the time now and I actually think the name
    suits her more than Allyson.  I guess what I'm trying to say is
    call your baby whatever feels more comfortable.  "Ally" really grew
    on me as well as a slew of other nicknames.  Most of her nicknames
    are very silly (like Possum and Koko B. Ware [my husband is responsible
    for that one]) but they're fun and it's really the tone in which
    they're used that make her smile.  She's really doesn't haven't a
    clue of what we're saying.
    
    - Kathryn
    

My 10 month old daughter's name is Justine. Her daddy wants her to be 
called Justine, he says that's her name, why call her anything else. 
My cousin calls her Justy, which I think is adorable, but I usually call 
her Justine, Munchie, Monkey or Munchie Monk. I even catch myself calling 
her Boog sometimes too. Munchie is the most common name I use for her though.

Naming her came down to 2 choices, either Justine or Olivia. I've liked 
"Justine" since high school, and heard Olivia when I was pregnant and 
loved it...John dug his feet in and refused Olivia so we named her Justine 
and I'm soooo, soooo glad we did. Justine really suits her. 

We've talked about having another baby some day, and I can't believe I'm 
already thinking of baby names. If we have a boy, I know it will be John 
*something*, and if it's a girl we both like Kendra. I don't know 
what else goes with Justine. 

donna

    Kendra - one of my all-time favorites!    Love it!
    
    Carol