My DS is often called by a nick-name that I dislike. I don't dislike it for other people, just for him. To me, just his first name is short enough: he has three names and I often use all three, so shortening it to one name is enough, one syllable too much.

So I tell people "actually, his name's Liebling, not Lee" (as an example, that's a nickname too - along with Smudgemeister, Kleiner Mann, Little Man et cetera). I also have made sure that he doesn't answer to "Lee"! At home in his first year I'd call him "Lieblingy-blingy-blingy-bling" (that sounds awful but ykwim) and he won't answer to "Lee" now! His childcare were fine with it and don't shorten it. My parents and sister still do and I just stay slient until they add the "bling" bit! DS won't reply to them either.

When he gets older, if he wants to be "Lee" - or go by a middle name - that's fine. It's his choice. But I gave him the name, it's up to him what he does with it, not anyone else. And I want him to love his name and not think all his names together is his naughty name!