Cecily as a nickname for Cecilia - what do you think?

[Frederica]

I've name changed because I'm outing myself to my family here (hello )

Anyway, this is a slightly different question as my baby is already born - she is 9 months old. At the time, and for a while after she was born, I couldn't decide between Cecily and Cecilia and ummed and aahed over it for ages. In the end I decided that I preferred Cecily. However, Dh didn't agree really! Eventually (because we were getting close to the 6 week deadline) he agreed to register her name as Cecilia, and said he would call her Cecily. He lied a little bit because he attempted (for a few days anyway) to call her Cecilia.

Now she is known by everyone as Cecily. We all love it (although DH would probably still say he prefers Cecilia). I am in a quandary whether to change her birth certificate to Cecily or not. I have done some research and I know that this is essentially the same name (like Elizabeth and Isabella maybe), and I know how it originated. I have seen other examples where people have used it as a nn.

I do like the idea (if its a valid one) of giving her the opportunity to call herself Cecilia if she wants in the future. The other children also want to retain Cecilia - they love singing the song to her! But I can't help but think that it is better to plump for one name. And that Cecily is nicer than Cecilia.

Oh I know that I'm over thinking this - but I'm conscious that I can change her birth certificate until she is 12 months old.

What do you think?

[MidnightMasquerader]

I think Cecilia is far nicer by a country mile - but that should mean nothing to you, since I'm just a nameless, faceless, random off t'internet.

You need to decide on one name or the other and stick with it. You're never going to get everyone to agree with one particular name, because that's just not possible.

Be decisive. Just make your minds up once and for all - you've had months now to do so.

[exoticfruits]

Over thinking. Leave it and she has the choice. You will probably find that when she is older she shortens it to something else anyway. You have no control over nicknames. We called DS2 a name that can't be shortened and his friends called him something else - he likes it and the person themselves is the only one with control.e.g a friend had a DS called James on birth certificate and he was only ever to be known as Jamie- when he was 8 he announced he was James and wouldn't let anyone call him Jamie.
You are fine as you are- she has the options and she will decide.

[exoticfruits]

It is no problem having a variation of the name. I am never known by my full name, in fact I remember MIL being surprised to find it out she had assumed my name was as introduced. I like having an official version and would always use it on certificates etc. it doesn't matter.

[Sashapineapple]

I would leave it so she can have a choice. Love the name Cecilia.

[Ham69]

If it was a totally different name on the BC then I'd say change it if it makes you happy. But it's almost identical. So you're definitely over thinking it. LEAVE IT!! Lovely names by the way.

[NowPlayingZone]

Agree totally with what exotic sasha & ham said. Leave it.
Cecilia is a beautiful name.

[rachel234]

To me they are different names. Cecily is lovely and if she's know as Cecily by everyone then I would put that on her bc. Otherwise she will always have the issue of having 'two names' - one official name and one everyday name.

Love Cecily - gorgeous name!

[exoticfruits]

I bet half the population have an official name and an everyday one-it is hardly unusual!

[Frederica]

Thanks everyone. I am known by my middle name and it hasn't been a problem apart from once - I had 2 sets of hospital records when I was pregnant. So far having 2 names hasn't been a problem - at least at the doctors, health visitors and hospital.

[exoticfruits]

I was a supply teacher, always taking different registers and would just say at the start-'if your name is different from the one I read out, please tell me' and there were generally about 5 who were different-never just one.

[OkayHazel]

Change it. As far as I'm aware, they are different names.

[exoticfruits]

Most nicknames are different names!!

[LentilAsAnything]

I think Cecily works fine as a nn for Cecilia. Leave it, so she has more options.