(Um, I accidentally voted on the first question too, but for "will tell you in the comments", so I hope that doesn't mess you up too much!)
As to 'Timothy' v. 'Tim', I'd think that would depend on who was speaking to him and whether he thinks of himself with the long version or the short one. Personally, I'd take to the full name first, but more readily for a non-human character; for me, it's inextricably linked with little Timothy Mouse from the Rats of Nimh stories, so when I hear it my immediate reaction is "faithful and brave, but unusually small and frail... a heart too stout for such a slight body". So my quibble is very, very specific.
Thomas I see as stronger for some obscure reason; it brings up an impression of wary defiance and a restless mind, one at home in many worlds and free to move among them, but not yet fully grown into his own powers or desires. A Timothy I could imagine on his knees before his foes, but not because of fear; a Thomas, taking them out with a few quick strikes and then second-guessing the rightness of it. Amazing how years of subtle usages shape our impressions of names.
And tybault_quin's comments below mentioned Jeremy and Nigel: both names I'd read for.
no subject
As to 'Timothy' v. 'Tim', I'd think that would depend on who was speaking to him and whether he thinks of himself with the long version or the short one. Personally, I'd take to the full name first, but more readily for a non-human character; for me, it's inextricably linked with little Timothy Mouse from the Rats of Nimh stories, so when I hear it my immediate reaction is "faithful and brave, but unusually small and frail... a heart too stout for such a slight body". So my quibble is very, very specific.
Thomas I see as stronger for some obscure reason; it brings up an impression of wary defiance and a restless mind, one at home in many worlds and free to move among them, but not yet fully grown into his own powers or desires. A Timothy I could imagine on his knees before his foes, but not because of fear; a Thomas, taking them out with a few quick strikes and then second-guessing the rightness of it. Amazing how years of subtle usages shape our impressions of names.
And