Why do people think Lucy is a nickname?

Question

Lucy is a very common given name in itself. Just because longer versions of Lucy exist - ie, Lucille; Lucinda - doesn't mean that Lucy is a nickname. Take a look at these graphs:

Lucy: http://www.thinkbabynames.com/search.php?s=Lucy&g=0&t=1

Lucy has been a consistently popular name IN ITSELF for the last 100 years.

Lucille: http://www.thinkbabynames.com/search.php?g=0&t=1&s=Lucille

Lucille is a much less consistent name as it dropped out of the top 1000 for most of the 20th century, only to reappear in 2003.

Lucinda: http://www.thinkbabynames.com/search.php?g=0&t=1&s=Lucinda

This name has never been in the top 200.

So why do people on Y!A see Lucy as a nickname? The general populous certainly doesn't.

Answer 1

It's more common.  

Answer 2

Every Lucy I've ever known had a more formal name.

Answer 3

Its commonly a nickname..thats all...I wouldn't name my kid Lucille..but i think Lucy is adorable as all h**l....maybe it stems from Luciille Ball, having her be so popular etc.  Same goes for Brad (Brandon, Bradely etc)

Answer 4

Because it's a short name and there are longer names that it could be a nickname for. It also might be cute for a little girl but not really a serious name for an adult.

Answer 5

I agree because its used as a nickname a lot, and it isn't uncommon for nicknames to become given names over time. Lucy is a pretty name. I have met quite a few more just Johns, and just Jacks lately as opposed to Jonathan.

Answer 6

Because it is commonly a nickname for Lucile and Lucinda, as you clearly know.  It's not that serious.  What are you gonna do--print this out and show everyone?  Just know that a lot of people do assume it's a nickname.  It's not the end of the world.

Answer 7

I love the name Lucy

And I have always thought of it as a name in its own rights

I dont like

Lucille or Lucinda

But Lucy is gorgeous

xx

Answer 8

Just wondering why are you so fired up about this? I consider Lucy a first, and a nickname. Its both depending on whats on your birth certificate. I personally think Lucille is a beautiful name, and Lucy is a great nickname for it. Still I have no prejudice to Lucy being a stand-alone name its nice either way.