School Would like Us to Pick a Name?

It's her name! Period, the end.

What a nutty teacher.

It's one name. One beautiful hyphenated name.

If this nonsense keeps up, a quick call to the principal/school administration should put an end to it.

I'd shorten by calling them both by the first part of their name. Amelia. Hannah.

I'm sorry, but making everyone in a kindergarten class call them by two long names comes across as rather pretentious.

The school is being ridiculous. Her name is Amelia-Leigh. It's a lot for her to write but not hard for the teacher to say. It's her name - don't pick one or the other, it's both.

Write back to the teacher:
Thanks for your note. My daughter's name is Amelia-Leigh, that is what we call her at home and that is what she will go by at school.

Done. Molehill remains a molehill!

I would send a nicely worded hand written letter back to the teacher telling her that her name is Amelia-Leigh, and that is what she should be called. You chose that name for your daughter and have always called her that. The result being...her name is Amelia-Leigh.
By the way, I think it is a very pretty name, and it certainly isn't difficult to say. Stand your ground on this one.

Is Amelia Leigh on birth certificate? Then that's her name and that is what she should be called!

Try telling the teacher her name is Amelia Leigh. Over the years, I've seen many kids with long and complicated names (longer and more complicated than your daughter's) whom the teachers managed to call by their full name, without needing to alter it.

That's only four syllables, the teacher should be able to handle it.

If the teacher complains, tell her that the name "Alexander" also has four syllables, and I'm sure she's managed to call kids by that name when necessary.

It's your daughter's name. It doesn't need to be shortened, if you and especially your daughter, don't want to shorten it. Jeez.

Welcome to mamapedia!!

Tell the teacher and the principal via e-mail:

"Hello! I just received Amelia-Liegh's parent package this afternoon and see that you are requesting what name to call my daughter. My daughter already told you today that her name is Amelia Liegh. She is to be called Amelia Liegh.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me."

On your youngest? This is the name you chose. If's a mouthful - but then there are other names that are mouthful's too. Personally? I would go with Hannah - but that's me. I PERSONALLY don't like "hyphenated" names.

Good luck!

Schools always send home those letters. Think about it, there may be a kid whose name is Churchill Ogilvie Von Frankenstein III, but his family calls him Trey. Your child's name is Amelia-Leigh, but for all the teacher knows, you call her Buttercup at home. Just fill in the name you'd like her to be called at school, and be done with it. Kindergarteners are not always the most reliable sources of information, which is probably why the teacher wanted to double-check with you. Otherwise, you might come to school the third week of school to volunteer, and there she would be, possibly calling your child something you didn't want her to be called. ("What? We NEVER call her Buttercup at home! I have no idea why she told you that!" - you know what I mean? ;)

Your child's name is important to them. If they are accustomed to being called Amelia-Leigh then tell the teacher that. (Knew a boy called Robert the teacher kept calling him Bob then said he was slow and possibly hearing impaired because he dd not respond to Bob. Poor kid had no idea the two names were even related!)

Its an American thing that names are rarely over 3 syllables long, but there is not rule about it. Tell the teacher, a good teacher will respect it, they just may have assumed the hyphenation meant it could be broken up.

Tell the teacher that the child's name is Amelia-Leigh. Period. My DD's nickname is two names but no hyphen. She isn't allowed to use just initials (too short) but the teacher calls her Sarah May or just Sarah, which is fine (not her real name, but you get the gist). Their names are their names and much less confusing than some kids' names. I look on the "welcome to our class" board and can't pronounce half of them (if they are even pronounced how they are spelled).

Your family uses long names. People will get over it.

A written response back: "Her name is Amelia-Leigh and that is what she is called at home. Thank you for taking the the extra step of ensuring you got it correct."

You do NOT have to modify her name. She doesn't have to be known by anything but her actual name at school. It will take a few days for everyone to figure out what everyone's name is, and then it will be settled. Amelia-Leigh will be Amelia-Leigh. Done.

I would think that the teacher is just trying to get clarification, since some kids do not go by the name on their birth certificate. My brother is Timothy, and has been called Tim and Timmy as well. Some people don't mind having a shortened name and others do. It sounds as if the teacher is asking your preference and not making a demand. Go with the name she knows!

Her name is Amelia-Leigh and her teacher should be able to call her that.

At least you didn't invent a spelling.

But really? In your want to make your daughters sooo unique as to have two names you gave them hyphened first names?

I think you and your husband should learn how to negotiate and compromise a little better. Maybe the next one you could narrow down to just one name.
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sorry - didn't see that this was your first question. Welcome to Mamapedia!

The teacher is just not used to a hyphenated first name. Do what one person suggested and send in a letter (or email or call the teacher) saying you daughter's first name is Amelia-Leigh and that is what you would like the teacher to call her. Do what you want. Have the teacher call your child what you and your child want. If that is her first name then the teacher will get used to it and it will be like second nature after a while.

Tell the teacher if she has a problem with your child's name then perhaps you and she can meet with the principle. You chose that name for a reason and that is what her name is.

She needs to get over this. She doesn't get to chose your child's name.

Another friend named her child Emily but spelled it like Emma-lee.

My friend went through this too. She named her daughter 4 names plus her last name.

For example:

Mary-Lynnette Abby-Gail Jones

The teacher didn't want to call her Mary-Lynnette but she had no choice, it was her legal name and the teacher had to concede her dislike and call her by her name.

A parent has the choice to name their children what they want and to spell it as oddly as they want their child to have to learn how to spell it and argue with each and every person for the rest of their life.

Although I'm not a huge fan of double names (margaretann, lynnemarie, maryanne, etc.) the school does not get to tell you what to name your child. If the child's double name was one of the more common ones like Annmarie or maryanne would they make the same fuss? I have a feeling it's more about the teacher's prefrence than the school's. If their computer system doesn't have a way to hyphenate the name then have them enter it as one name.

If it were me I'd respond, in writing, that my child's name is Amelia-Leigh. It's always been and unless she wants to change it when she turns 18 that's what it's going to be and that is the name that should be used at school. If it goes to a second round ask how they would treat someone named Mary-anne or Ann-marie.

I think it's super nervy of the school officials to ask otherwise.

Kindergarten? I bet they do not understand this IS her name that you all use every day.

Like in Poltergeist, her name was "Carol Ann"

LouAnn
LeAnn
JoAnn
Mary Lou
Mary Kate

Just reassure them her name is Amelia-Leigh, and I bet it will be fine.

Tell the teacher that her name is Amelia-Leigh. I'm sure she just wants to do what you want her to do. But it's a mouth full - will prob get shortened in some time.

I think if you named your daughter Amelia-Leigh, then that's her name, and that's what she should be called!

I knew a Jerri-Leigh and a Amber-Lynne and that's what everyone called them!

I would expect that you'll get similar notes for Hannah-Charlotte, but I wouldn't change it to a nickname.

Your daughter will probably get nicknames or pick out their own nicknames as they get older. Until then, call them what you named them.

Good luck!

That was on the form for our daughter, too. I just put her name. I think it's for kids with nicknames, like say, Michael is used to being called Mike. If Amelia-Leigh is called Amelia-Leigh, that's what you put on the form.

the school is out of line here. if you choose to call your daughter by her full name, that's the name she goes by. period. 3-5 syllable names are not a mouthful to anyone with reasonably good intelligence.
the school doesn't name your children, YOU do.
i have friend whose daughter's name is brianna, and she absolutely will not tolerate having her called 'bree'. i used to roll my eyes over it, but to her credit, she has been courteous but inexorable with all schools and friends and friends' moms who try to shorten it. and it works. NOBODY calls that girl 'bree'!
you can do it too.
khairete
S.

Tell the school and teacher that your child's name is Amelia-Leigh and that is what she is to be called. It is up to your daughter if/when she decides to either shorten it or go by a nickname. It is not the teacher's discretion to change a child's name because they feel it is too long or whatever the reasoning is behind it.

I would just respond with "She goes by her name, Amelia-Leigh". It doesn't matter if it's a "mouthful" or not, the teacher needs to call her by name. It also doesn't sound like the teacher is making you pick, it just sounds like she wants clarification on what to call her. Kindergartners are not always the best communicators.

If her name is Amelia-Leigh then that is her name. I like the names btw, very pretty. Teacher needs to respect the name choice.

I really don't understand the need to hyphenate first names - at first I thought you mean the last name was hyphenated. I've not seen it before so it comes across as a little strange to me. But if that's what you chose, you tell the school that is her name and go about your day. It won't be a fight.

I am an elementary school teacher, and personally I find it absurd that the teacher is asking you this question. If your daughter's name is Amelia-Leigh, the teacher should call her Amelia-Leigh. You do not have to change what she is called to make it easier for the teacher. I would write a polite note back letting the teacher know that your daughter goes by Amelia-Leigh.

Is this for real? Tell me this isn't for real!

My youngest is Genevieve and has been called Genna since the day she was born because even Genevieve is a mouthful. How is this just now an issue?

Give the poor kid a break, pick one. :(
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Just wanted to add the school asked what my daughter's nick name was. It isn't because you hyphenated, it is because it is normal not to use long names with small kids.

If a child's name was Marianne or MaryAnn it is still "Mary Ann". While you could shorten to "Mary" but you shouldn't have to.

I think I would reply to the teacher and tell her that Amelia-Leigh is the name she goes by. It is one name as it is not Amelia Leigh (as in not a first and middle name). If there is only one Amelia in the class, I see no harm in calling your daughter "Amelia" for short but the teacher asked what she wants to be called which tells me she may not realize it is hyphenated and is viewing it as first and middle. She may just be trying to clarify if YOU have a preference (my nephew's name is Richard Allen but is called Kyle....long story).

My son was called Mikey from the moment he was born. When he told the teacher that is what he wanted to be called, she insisted on calling him by and him always using "Michael". He is now 21 and some family still use Mikey but I try to use Michael since that is what he in turn asked of me when he was in K.

My daughter is Madison Cheyenne and we call her Cheyenne (compromise because I wanted to name her Cheyenne Nicole). Her teachers have always called her Cheyenne (although on official paperwork she has had her full name instead).

Her name is Amelia-Leigh. That is what you call her at home, and that is what she is used to being called. The teacher needs to call her Amelia-Leigh.

"Please call her Amelia-Leigh. Thanks for confirming."

First of all, those are really pretty names. But people will shorten them and this way you get a choice of what it will be. Present it as your daughters choice.
I always know when my southern cousins contact me because we always use first and middle names. I love it.

Amelia-Leigh is her name and that's what she goes by. We named our daughter Victoria. When she started school her teachers tried to shorten it as well Vicky, Vic, tory, I put a stop to it right away. Her name is Victoria. At 24 that's what she still goes by. You wouldn't say teach for teacher.

I think part of it is when they are learning to write their names. Longer names can really be hard for younger kids. My DD Savannah, was shortened to Vanna while she was in school, once she grasped reading/writting, we taught her Savannah. Same for my DD Samantha, we went with Sam, but both nicknames were names we called them. I love strong names, just hate having to same them lol

If it's something you really do not want to do-then don't. If it's not a hill to die on for you, then consider it.

Sorry - I just mentally flashed to Ameilia Jessica Pond (Dr Who companion) - her nickname is Amy.
I have a name I just hated growing up - I was in my mid 20's before I liked it.
I wrote my given name out on my homework but everyone called me by my nickname.
All my co-workers call me by my given name but friends, neighbors and family use my nickname.
I like a degree of formality with my career/profession.

I would respond to the letter saying "her name is Amelia-leigh and that is what so goes by". So what if it is a mouth full, there are a lot of other long names with 3 or 4 syllables, and that is no different.

I think the teacher should call your children by their name(s).

I don't have a lot of sympathy for you though, given that my son's name has 3 letters in it. Don't people think of this stuff ahead of time?

I think it mostly to make sure there is no nickname or something simple like that.
Many blessings.
Beautiful names by the way

Don't change her name. My friends sons name is John David. Period.
Your DD's name is not TWO names. It's ONE name with 5 syllables. :)

I don't think they are saying PICK A NAME..>ONE NAME ONLY. I think as someone else said they are really just confirming that is the name you want to use and it's not to be shortened.

I have a KGer myself, today is two weeks of school down...he knows his cousins name and the boys from his soccer team. Oh and one other boy that he keeps calling TJ but it's actually DJ. It's hard for little ones to remember a non hyphenated name let alone one that is.

First of all, if you feel very strongly that your daughter is Amelia-Leigh and should be called that, the school needs to accept it and call her by her full name. You shouldn't be forced to shorten her name just because they don't want to say Amelia-Leigh every time.

If you are ok with the idea of shortening it or changing it somehow, then ask your daughter what she would like to be called. If she says Amelia-Leigh, then make sure that's what the school uses. If she chooses just one, let her try it out and see how it is, with the understanding that it will most likely stick forever. Once kids know her as just Amelia, it would be hard for them to switch back later to Amelia-Leigh.

I must admit, the names are really a mouthful and I wouldn't be surprised if her friends ended up shortening it or giving her a nickname at some point anyway, even if the school calls her by her first name.

Don't feel obligated to shorten her name. Assume that the teacher just wants to make sure she's calling her the right thing, since hyphenated names aren't that common.

I'm sure they just wanted to clarify what you call her, and what she prefers to be called. However, just wait until she has to start filling in her names on standardized test forms. She might be the one to decide to shorten it then.

Um..her name is her name.
Unless YOU want to alter it now, it stays.
Sheesh.

It's not your job to make the teacher's job easier by shortening your child's name. If that is her name, that is what she should be called.

I would write a note back and tell her your daughter should be called "Amelia-Leigh" as that is the ONLY name she has ever been called by and she may not respond if she is called by another name. Just as you (she) would not respond if you called her Mrs. Jones instead of Mrs. James.

I agree with most people. We got notes home asking what name the kids wanted to be called. In our case tho, Anthony preferred to be called Ant. Not a big deal. Just write her full name and move on. :)

Could it be that she is trying to use a name that both you and your DD prefer and not wait for kids to take it upon themselves to shorten it?

Wouldn't it be aweful if they started calling her "AL" and she hated it but, the teacher was unaware of the fact that she hated it? Once a nickname is given, it is hard to shake. No matter how much damage control the teacher tries, names follow kids outside of school.

I would just reply that she goes by e full name.

It doesn't sound like she wants you to PICK a name, just that she is confused about what she should call your daughter.

My niece ended up being called Lily at school. Her first name if Aiden and middle name Lily. There was an Aiden in her class (a boy). The teachers just started calling her Lily. They didn't ask my sister or BIL but it's okay with them. They actually call her Lilypad most of the time at school. I do think Amelia-Leigh is a little long to say every time. My classmate was Bibianna though. It's the same amount of syllables. I think you or her should get to decide. Some people did shorted my classmate's name to Bibs and she didn't like that. I am JoAnne but go by A.. It has caused a lot of confusion. For some people when people see my license, they can't make that jump. They think it's someone else's.