DH and I love nicknames, we have one for everyone we know! We actually picked most of the baby names on our shortlist from the nicknames but we are definitely going with the longer names. I would much prefer our children have a 'proper' more formal name to use when they are adults and it also gives them the choice of picking which name they'd prefer to be called - their full name or their nickname.

Many of the nicknames are awfully cute for little kids but not so cute for a 28 year old lawyer, IYKWIM. Oliver is on our list for a boy as we love Ollie but I personally don't think Ollie is that appropriate as the 'full name' for an adult.

In saying that, there are some names that sound fine when shortened but I still think giving a child a 'full' name gives them the option to choose which name they prefer when they're older.

HTH!