Something I've been pondering.

[aaoconnor2002]

No: HPFGUIDX 160775

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "simm_family" <simm_family at ...> 
wrote:
>
> Given Dumbledore's feelings about the fear of a name increasing the
> fear of the thing itself, and his feelings about always calling
> Voldemort "Voldemort", I've always wondered why he would even go 
that
> far?  I mean, why doesn't Dumbledore always refer to Voldemort as 
Tom
> Riddle which, to me, signifies an even stronger weakening of his 
name.
> 
> Oh, and hi, I'm Catherine, a newbie to the group but a complete HP 
fan.
>

Hi Catherine and welcome!

Dumbledore does refer to Tom as Tom during the fight at the 
Ministry.  
I always loved that aspect of the scene.  I saw it as Dumbledore 
saying, "You may think you're Lord Big Stuff but as far as I'm 
concerned all you will ever be is Tom Riddle".    

My guess for why he doesn't do it all the time is that relatively few 
people may know Voldemort's real name.  By using the name Voldemort 
with them Dumbledore uses the name they fear to show that it really 
isn't something to be afraid of and also there is no doubt that they 
know who he is talking about.  

Audrey