Name confusion at school

BagLadie · Sep 2nd, 2008, 07:29 PM

Ok I hope I can explain this correctly. My daughter is starting kindergarten tomorrow. Her name is Alexandra. We call her Allie about 90 % of the time. When she was in preschool they only knew her as Alexandra (and taught her to write her name like that etc). She answers to both Allie and Alexandra. But really for the most part....she's an Allie.

So here is where I am not sure what to do. Do I tell them to call her Allie or Alexandra in kindergarten? It was weird when parents in preschool would talk to me about her and call her Alexandra and when I would call her Allie they were like "who?"

Small dilemma, I know. Would you guys start enforcing her real name or keep the name she is always called by? When I ask her she says "Alexandra" but when people ask her what her name is, she always says "Allie".

Ok this is sounding silly and I can't believe I started a thread on this. Just wanted to know what all you moms would do.

ive_flipped · Sep 2nd, 2008, 07:49 PM

I say tell them to call her Allie. My husband goes by something else as well. His parents told people to call him by the other name and he still does the same.

artjen · Sep 2nd, 2008, 07:56 PM

I would tell the teacher and he/she will take care of it. Her name on her school records and roster will show as Alexandra. I'm a teacher and this happens a lot. I always tell students to let me know if they go by a nickname. It never is any kind of issue. Just each year she will let the teacher know (or you will) that she goes by Allie.

It isn't silly at all!

ChristyR143 · Sep 2nd, 2008, 08:06 PM

Usually on the paperwork they should ask if your child goes by a nickname. If not, then I would just tell her teacher that she goes by Allie. (So cute, BTW!!)

My real name is Christon, but I've gone by Christy my whole life. On the first day of school every year, with every class, when they called roll, I had to tell my teachers that I went by Christy. It was a pain, yeah, but better than having to answer to Christon!

BagLadie · Sep 2nd, 2008, 08:09 PM

Thanks guys. They did ask on some paperwork if the child has a nickname and I put "Allie". I will just tell her teacher tomorrow.

illinirdhd · Sep 2nd, 2008, 08:12 PM

Ask her! She's old enough to decide for herself. My brother decided in 3rd grade to use his given name, and that only lasted for a few weeks. I think he was probably 25 the next time he used his given name, and now it's all he uses (except with family!).

I always hated that my name wasn't "nicknameable" so that's going to be a requirement when it's time to pick out our babies' names! Allie is adorable!

MissTiss · Sep 2nd, 2008, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by illinirdhd

Ask her! She's old enough to decide for herself. My brother decided in 3rd grade to use his given name, and that only lasted for a few weeks. I think he was probably 25 the next time he used his given name, and now it's all he uses (except with family!).

I always hated that my name wasn't "nicknameable" so that's going to be a requirement when it's time to pick out our babies' names! Allie is adorable!

True.

My name isn't "nicknameable" either, dang it. I tried to go by a shortened version of my middle name at school in 7th grade. That didn't last long. It was too late...all the same people I grew up with knew me as my full name.

*sigh*

Allie is a CUTE name.

BagLadie · Sep 2nd, 2008, 09:53 PM

Thanks guys! Allie is a cute name and SO her. It's also a lot easier to say than Alexandra. Kids find it easier too.

VPT · Sep 2nd, 2008, 09:55 PM

Just provide both names to the teacher and let her decide. As for your DD, it's up to her to introduce herself to her friends as Alexandra or Allie.

HauteMama · Sep 2nd, 2008, 10:03 PM

On most school forms there is a place to fill in what you/your child prefers to be called. My son's name is Benjamin, but we call him both Benjamin and Ben. Most teachers call him Ben, but they taught him to write his full name before allowing him to use the nickname on paper.

But, like others have mentioned, maybe your dd wants to be called Alexandra if she is introducing herself by that name. I'd ask her. Even if she prefers to be called Alexandra at school, many kids love having a name that only their parents use for them.

ahertz · Sep 3rd, 2008, 02:47 PM

My mother is an elementary school principal and says a big percentage of her kids go by nicknames. It may be confusing on the very first day of school, but teachers know to expect it. I know I've never gone by my given name and I don't ever remember confusion.

sratsey · Sep 3rd, 2008, 07:17 PM

Let the teacher ask her what she wants to be called.

PrettyInPink · Sep 3rd, 2008, 08:59 PM

Tell the teacher! I'm a preschool teacher, and we have several children who go by nicknames... and one who goes by his middle name!

BagLadie · Sep 4th, 2008, 10:17 PM

Well yesterday was her first day - I went with her. I explained the name thing to her teacher and she said she would probably be called "Allie". Alexandra is on her cubbie and on her folder etc. So they are both kind of used which I like.

artjen · Sep 5th, 2008, 12:09 PM

Aw that's so cute. When she's older she may gravitate to being called one or the other. I'm glad it worked out well!!!

Sep 2nd, 2008, 07:29 PM	#1
BagLadie Got a handle on it Location: Red Sox Nation	Name confusion at school Ok I hope I can explain this correctly. My daughter is starting kindergarten tomorrow. Her name is Alexandra. We call her Allie about 90 % of the time. When she was in preschool they only knew her as Alexandra (and taught her to write her name like that etc). She answers to both Allie and Alexandra. But really for the most part....she's an Allie. So here is where I am not sure what to do. Do I tell them to call her Allie or Alexandra in kindergarten? It was weird when parents in preschool would talk to me about her and call her Alexandra and when I would call her Allie they were like "who?" Small dilemma, I know. Would you guys start enforcing her real name or keep the name she is always called by? When I ask her she says "Alexandra" but when people ask her what her name is, she always says "Allie". Ok this is sounding silly and I can't believe I started a thread on this. Just wanted to know what all you moms would do. __________________ One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain. - Bob Marley

Sep 2nd, 2008, 07:49 PM	#2
ive_flipped It's a Girl!!!!!!! Location: eh!! lol	I say tell them to call her Allie. My husband goes by something else as well. His parents told people to call him by the other name and he still does the same. __________________ IT'S A GIRL

Sep 2nd, 2008, 08:06 PM	#4
ChristyR143 But it was on sale!! Location: Texas	Usually on the paperwork they should ask if your child goes by a nickname. If not, then I would just tell her teacher that she goes by Allie. (So cute, BTW!!) My real name is Christon, but I've gone by Christy my whole life. On the first day of school every year, with every class, when they called roll, I had to tell my teachers that I went by Christy. It was a pain, yeah, but better than having to answer to Christon! __________________

Sep 2nd, 2008, 08:09 PM	#5
BagLadie Got a handle on it Location: Red Sox Nation	Thanks guys. They did ask on some paperwork if the child has a nickname and I put "Allie". I will just tell her teacher tomorrow. __________________ One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain. - Bob Marley

Sep 2nd, 2008, 08:12 PM	#6
illinirdhd Sofa King Hooked Location: Las Vegas, NV	Ask her! She's old enough to decide for herself. My brother decided in 3rd grade to use his given name, and that only lasted for a few weeks. I think he was probably 25 the next time he used his given name, and now it's all he uses (except with family!). I always hated that my name wasn't "nicknameable" so that's going to be a requirement when it's time to pick out our babies' names! Allie is adorable! __________________

Sep 2nd, 2008, 07:56 PM	#3
artjen Young @ Art Location: Arizona	I would tell the teacher and he/she will take care of it. Her name on her school records and roster will show as Alexandra. I'm a teacher and this happens a lot. I always tell students to let me know if they go by a nickname. It never is any kind of issue. Just each year she will let the teacher know (or you will) that she goes by Allie. It isn't silly at all!

Sep 2nd, 2008, 09:53 PM	#8
BagLadie Got a handle on it Location: Red Sox Nation	Thanks guys! Allie is a cute name and SO her. It's also a lot easier to say than Alexandra. Kids find it easier too. __________________ One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain. - Bob Marley

Sep 2nd, 2008, 09:55 PM	#9
VPT i ♥ blood oranges Location: Singapore / Vancouver	Just provide both names to the teacher and let her decide. As for your DD, it's up to her to introduce herself to her friends as Alexandra or Allie. __________________

Sep 2nd, 2008, 10:03 PM	#10
HauteMama Member	On most school forms there is a place to fill in what you/your child prefers to be called. My son's name is Benjamin, but we call him both Benjamin and Ben. Most teachers call him Ben, but they taught him to write his full name before allowing him to use the nickname on paper. But, like others have mentioned, maybe your dd wants to be called Alexandra if she is introducing herself by that name. I'd ask her. Even if she prefers to be called Alexandra at school, many kids love having a name that only their parents use for them.

Sep 3rd, 2008, 02:47 PM	#11
ahertz Member Location: Los Angeles	My mother is an elementary school principal and says a big percentage of her kids go by nicknames. It may be confusing on the very first day of school, but teachers know to expect it. I know I've never gone by my given name and I don't ever remember confusion. __________________

Sep 3rd, 2008, 07:17 PM	#12
sratsey Member	Let the teacher ask her what she wants to be called.

Sep 3rd, 2008, 08:59 PM	#13
PrettyInPink Member Location: Michigan	Tell the teacher! I'm a preschool teacher, and we have several children who go by nicknames... and one who goes by his middle name!

Sep 4th, 2008, 10:17 PM	#14
BagLadie Got a handle on it Location: Red Sox Nation	Well yesterday was her first day - I went with her. I explained the name thing to her teacher and she said she would probably be called "Allie". Alexandra is on her cubbie and on her folder etc. So they are both kind of used which I like. __________________ One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain. - Bob Marley

Sep 5th, 2008, 12:09 PM	#15
artjen Young @ Art Location: Arizona	Aw that's so cute. When she's older she may gravitate to being called one or the other. I'm glad it worked out well!!!