Everything about Nickname totally explained
A
nickname is a
name of an entity or thing that isn't its
proper name. It may either substitute or be added to the proper name. It may be a familiar or truncated form of the proper name, such as
Bob,
Bobby,
Rob,
Robbie,
Robin, and
Bert for
Robert. Most nicknames are shorter than the proper name.
The term
hypocoristic or "pet name" is used to refer to a nickname of affection between those in love or with a close emotional bond, compared with a
term of endearment. The term
diminutive name refers to nicknames that convey smallness of the names, for example, referring to children. The distinction between the two is often blurred.
As a concept, it's distinct from both
pseudonym and
stage name, and also from title (for example, City of Fountains), although there may be overlap in these concepts.
A nickname is sometimes considered desirable, symbolising a form of acceptance, but can often be a form of ridicule.
Etymology: 1440, misdivision of
ekename (1303),
an eke name, literally "an additional name," from
Old English eaca "an increase," related to
eacian "to increase".
In
Viking societies, many people had nicknames
heiti,
viðrnefni or
uppnefi which were used in addition to, or instead of their family names. In some circumstances the giving of a nickname had a special status in Viking society in that it created a relationship between the name maker and the recipient of the nickname, to the extent that the creation of a nickname also often entailed a formal ceremony and an exchange of gifts.
Computing
In the context of
information technology, a nickname (or technically a
nick) is a common synonym for a
screenname or
handle.
Nickname is a name to shorten a name.
Nick is a term originally used to identify a person in a system for
synchronous conferencing. In
computer networks it has become a common practice for every person to also have one or more nicknames for the purposes of
anonymity, to avoid
ambiguity or simply because the natural name or technical
address would be too long to type or take too much space on the
screen.
Performing arts
Many writers, performing artists and actors have nicknames, which may develop into a
stage name or
pseudonym. A
bardic name may also result from a nickname. Many writers have pen names which they use instead of their real names. One very famous writer with a pen name is Dr. Seuss.
Nicknames for people
To inform an audience or readership of a person's nickname without actually calling them by their nickname, the nickname is placed between the first and last names and surrounded by quotation marks (for example Catherine "Cate" Jones). The middle name is eliminated (if there's one). Very rarely is the middle name mentioned with the nickname (exceptions being when the first name is composed of two words, for example "Beth Ann").
- They may refer to a person's job or title.
- Sawbones (or further shortened to "Bones," as in Dr. McCoy from Star Trek: TOS) or Doc for Doctor
They may reference a person's physical characteristics.
- In English
- Tubs, Chubby, Fatso, or Wideload for a fat person (generally offensive)
- Four-Eyes for a person with glasses (mildly offensive), and train tracks for braces
In Spanish-speaking cultures
- Flaco (thin, weak) or
- Palito (little stick)
- El Gordo (the fat guy) It should be noted that description of one's physical characteristics in a nickname should almost never be taken as an insult in Spanish.
It may allude to a person's mental characteristics, (though often used sarcastically):
They may refer to the relationship with the person. This is a term of endearment
A nickname can also originate from someone's real name.These are usually used to make names shorter and thus easier to say.
- CJ for someone whose initials are C.J.
- 'Thommo' for an Andrew Thompson
A nickname can be used to distinguish members of the same family sharing the same name from one another. This has several common patterns among sons named for fathers:
- A son named after his father (but not after his grandfather) is often referred to as Junior, Chip, Skip, or Sonny.
- The third generation carrying a name (usually with III after his name) is often referred to as Trey, Tripp, or Trip (from Triple).
- The fourth generation carrying a name (usually with IV after his name) may be referred to as Ivy or Dru (as in Quadruple).
- The fifth generation carrying a name (usually with V after his name) may be referred to as Quint or Quince.
- Note: these nicknames are mostly seen in the American northeast in strong correlation with prep school attendance.
It may relate to a specific incident or action.
It may compare the person with a famous or fictional character. Examples:
It may be related to their place of origin or place of residence. Example:
- Gloucester, Paul from Gloucester or PFG for someone named Paul who comes from a town called Gloucester.
It may refer to a person's political affiliation. Examples:
A famous person's nickname may be unique to them:
Tippecanoe for William Henry Harrison
Dubya for George W. Bush, an exaggeration of Texan pronunciation of 'w', President Bush's middle initial.
Opa for the Dutch lifesaving KNRM-hero Dorus Rijkers. Dorus became a Grandpa, (Dutch:"Opa"), at the age of 23 (by the marriage to a widow with eight children), and soon everybody called him Opa.
Gazza for English footballer Paul Gascoigne (though used more widely in Australia for Gary) and similar "zza" forms (Hezza, Prezza, etc) for other prominent personalities whose activities are frequently reported in the British press
Nicknames of geographical places
Particularly with geographical places, it's important to distinguish between nickname and title. A nickname is almost always a brief term that's either friendly or derogatory and can be substituted for the real name at will. A title is usually a multi-word term, often created for promotional purposes, sometimes created as a putdown, that can't be substituted for the real name at will.
Most of the "city nicknames" are not nicknames; they're titles. For example, Kansas City is titled (or dubbed) 'Heart of America' and 'City of Fountains'; it's nicknamed KC. People will use KC frequently in everyday speech as a substitute for Kansas City; it's the popular nickname for the city. By contrast, the term 'City of Fountains' is uncommonly used as a title (not a nickname).
Further Information
Get more info on 'Nickname'.
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