# Standard nicknames that have no apparent resemblance to the full name **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 5, 2011, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/standard-nicknames-that-have-no-apparent-resemblance-to-the-full-name/598699 "2011-10-05T16:55:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![delphica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9a140/32.png) [@delphica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/delphica)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2011, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/standard-nicknames-that-have-no-apparent-resemblance-to-the-full-name/598699/81 "2011-10-06T18:10:16Z")
> [@jabiru](#): > > Very likely. Another nickname for Elizabeth which I’ve just thought of and bears no resemblance that I can see to the name is ‘Libby’. My Uncle Chicka had two daughters, one Diane and the other was Elizabeth, who was always called Libby. Please tell me that Diane went by DeeDee, for the trifecta! I’ve always found Bunny an odd nickname for a man, and it seems to be linked to both Bernard and Edmund. Nan for Ann … another one where it’s not as if the name is any shorter. ---
**Author:** ![Jaledin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Jaledin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaledin)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2011, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/standard-nicknames-that-have-no-apparent-resemblance-to-the-full-name/598699/82 "2011-10-06T18:37:38Z")
> [@Sunspace](#): > > Hmm. I always thought “Jack” was related to “Jacques”, and had no direct descent from “John” in English. I have a tiny doubt about that one, maybe – maybe for French-Canadian trappers who traded with Anglos? That could very well be. I have an interest in this, as my family calls me Jack, but hardly anyone else (a few old friends who think it’s amusing). I think it can also be a nickname for Jacob or maybe even James/Jacques, I thought I read somewhere. Fascinating about the little Jankin becoming Jack. Never heard that. Sounds plausible. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2011, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/standard-nicknames-that-have-no-apparent-resemblance-to-the-full-name/598699/83 "2011-10-06T18:45:08Z")
I knew a Lilbert who went by Butch. He explained that he was the third in his family to have the name and nickname. When the original Lilbert was born, his three year old brother called him “Lilbutch.” ---
**Author:** ![Crazyhorse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crazyhorse/32/31_2.png) [@Crazyhorse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crazyhorse)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2011, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/standard-nicknames-that-have-no-apparent-resemblance-to-the-full-name/598699/84 "2011-10-06T18:46:30Z")
In Spanish, Pancho and Paco are short for Francisco. Nacho is a common name for Ignacio. ---
**Author:** ![Hypnagogic\_Jerk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hypnagogic_jerk/32/4252_2.png) [@Hypnagogic\_Jerk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypnagogic_Jerk)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2011, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/standard-nicknames-that-have-no-apparent-resemblance-to-the-full-name/598699/85 "2011-10-06T19:26:38Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > Isn’t Harry for Harold? I used to think that, but I think it’s more usual as a nickname for Henry. See Prince Harry for example. > [@Nava](#): > > That comes from P.P., initals of _Padre Putativo_, meaning assumed father. St Joseph (José) was Jesus’ assumed father; he appears in lists of saints (including almanacs’ listing of “feastday of…”) as José, P.P.. Solomon is Salomón, R. (king); Assissi appears as Francisco de Asís, Mje. (monk), etc. Do you have evidence for this? It seems quite convoluted, while the etymological link with Giuseppe/Pepe (which was also my first guess) is much more evident. As for me, some of my favourite nicknames are the Polish ones. Basia for Barbara, or Gosia for Małgorzata (i.e. Margaret, once again) for example. (Pronounced “Basha” and “Gosha”.) Yes, you see the link to the name they represent, but you wonder what was the process getting there. ---
**Author:** ![jabiru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bbce88/32.png) [@jabiru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jabiru)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2011, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/standard-nicknames-that-have-no-apparent-resemblance-to-the-full-name/598699/86 "2011-10-07T00:27:04Z")
> [@delphica](#): > > Please tell me that Diane went by DeeDee, for the trifecta! No she didn’t but my other cousin Dianne (on my mother’s side) went by Didee, if that counts. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Girlfriend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.girlfriend/32/193_2.png) [@Dr.Girlfriend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Girlfriend)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2011, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/standard-nicknames-that-have-no-apparent-resemblance-to-the-full-name/598699/87 "2011-10-07T00:58:47Z")
> [@Gala\_Matrix\_Fire](#): > > I’m told that Skip is the nickname for Lesley, but I have no evidence, just the word of one guy called ‘Skip.’ I have also known a Francis called ‘Skip,’ so I’m dubious. I think Skip is one of those generic nicknames that can go with a lot of names. The only Skip I know is actually named Charles. But I also know a Charles who goes by “Chick”, and a guy whose given name is Skipper. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2011, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/standard-nicknames-that-have-no-apparent-resemblance-to-the-full-name/598699/88 "2011-10-07T01:14:41Z")
Chip ---
**Author:** ![sinjin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@sinjin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sinjin)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2011, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/standard-nicknames-that-have-no-apparent-resemblance-to-the-full-name/598699/89 "2011-10-07T01:23:35Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > That comes from P.P., initals of _Padre Putativo_, meaning assumed father. St Joseph (José) was Jesus’ assumed father; he appears in lists of saints (including almanacs’ listing of “feastday of…”) as José, P.P.. Solomon is Salomón, R. (king); Assissi appears as Francisco de Asís, Mje. (monk), etc. This is what I was told by my SIL, Jose, who is called Pepe by his family. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2011, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/standard-nicknames-that-have-no-apparent-resemblance-to-the-full-name/598699/90 "2011-10-07T07:30:39Z")
> [@Hypnagogic\_Jerk](#): > > Do you have evidence for this? It seems quite convoluted, while the etymological link with Giuseppe/Pepe (which was also my first guess) is much more evident. Evidence? It’s the explanation I’ve always heard, and as for the calendar listings… if you want a Calendario del Sagrado Corazón sent to you, I’ll need your address. Maite is very common for Maria Teresa or even for Teresa-with-no-Mary, specially in Basque-speaking areas. This is because it’s wordplay as well as a contraction: in Basque, maite means “darling, beloved”. If someone who speaks Basque adresses you as “maitea!” and your name isn’t Teresa, it’s merely the equivalent of a Southerner’s “hi honey”. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2011, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/standard-nicknames-that-have-no-apparent-resemblance-to-the-full-name/598699/91 "2011-10-07T16:59:13Z")
As a well-known contributor to this site [reports](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/764/why-is-peggy-the-nickname-for-margaret): > [@](#): > > In search from A to Z they passed, > And “Marguerita” chose at last; > But thought it sound far more sweet > To call the baby “Marguerite.” > When grandma saw the little pet, > She called her “darling Margaret.” > Next uncle Jack and cousin Aggie > Sent cup and spoon to “little Maggie.” > And grandpapa the right must beg > To call the lassie “bonnie Meg.” > From “Marguerita” down to “Meg,” > And now she’s simply “little Peg.” ---
**Author:** ![Hypnagogic\_Jerk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hypnagogic_jerk/32/4252_2.png) [@Hypnagogic\_Jerk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypnagogic_Jerk)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2011, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/standard-nicknames-that-have-no-apparent-resemblance-to-the-full-name/598699/92 "2011-10-07T19:01:50Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > Evidence? It’s the explanation I’ve always heard It’s just that etymologies from abbreviations are rarely correct, especially with words older than the 20th century. Pepe (or is it Pepé?) for José seems like it’d be older than that. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_Panic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/don_t_panic/32/398_2.png) [@Don\_t\_Panic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_Panic)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2011, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/standard-nicknames-that-have-no-apparent-resemblance-to-the-full-name/598699/93 "2011-10-07T23:50:13Z")
> [@delphica](#): > > Nan for Ann … another one where it’s not as if the name is any shorter. What I’ve heard, and [Wiki agrees](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebracketing), is that some of the nicknames starting with N (Ed to Ned, Ann to Nan, Ellie to Nellie) came about because of a sort of mistake. The possessive pronoun in middle English was \* min\*, and was used a form of endearment (“oh, mīn Ed, could you please stop by Costco and pick up some soap on your way home today?”). When the possessive was changing to _my_, people somehow started getting this wrong and hearing it as “my Ned”. Oddly enough, the word “nickname” itself is apparently victim to something similar. “A nickname” used to be “an ekename”, meaning an increased or additional name. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2011, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/standard-nicknames-that-have-no-apparent-resemblance-to-the-full-name/598699/94 "2011-10-08T03:31:08Z")
It also went the other direction – “a napron” became “an apron” ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2011, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/standard-nicknames-that-have-no-apparent-resemblance-to-the-full-name/598699/95 "2011-10-08T03:50:45Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > It also went the other direction – “a napron” became “an apron” So combining that with the -kin suffix, was ‘a napkin’ originally an ‘ap’? ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2011, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/standard-nicknames-that-have-no-apparent-resemblance-to-the-full-name/598699/96 "2011-10-08T11:18:25Z")
When Hrothgar spilled boar grease on his war-dress, Hengist said, “Wyrgan not, brōðor – ðere be an ap for ðæt.” ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2011, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/standard-nicknames-that-have-no-apparent-resemblance-to-the-full-name/598699/97 "2011-10-08T12:08:18Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > > [@Acsenray](#): > > > > It also went the other direction – “a napron” became “an apron” > > So combining that with the -kin suffix, was ‘a napkin’ originally an ‘ap’? That would work for “napkin” being a small (n)apron, I wonder if that’s the true etymology? ---
**Author:** ![Nocturne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/9fc348/32.png) [@Nocturne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nocturne)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2011, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/standard-nicknames-that-have-no-apparent-resemblance-to-the-full-name/598699/98 "2011-10-08T13:31:45Z")
I don’t understand why there’s so much confusion about nicknames being as long (or in some cases, like Ivan to Vanya, longer) than the original names. Nicknames are often terms of endearment, and often suffixes are added for terms-of-endearment names. Like my name, Katie. One boyfriend called me the rather nauseating Katie-kins (that -kin as a suffix for a name of endearment that gave us Jack from John still survives in English). Assuming that Katie-kins caught on as a real name (thank goodness it didn’t), then eventually we might be calling people named Katie “Kakie” or something. That “rhyming nickname” process for Margaret is pretty interesting. I never knew that! ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2011, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/standard-nicknames-that-have-no-apparent-resemblance-to-the-full-name/598699/99 "2011-10-08T13:38:03Z")
> [@Zebra](#): > > There is a British one of Jezzer (?). I have no idea what that is even short for. Jeremy or Jerry/Gerald, I imagine. I’ve heard Clarkson on _Top Gear_ referred to as “Jezza” a couple of times. Also seen “Gaz” or “Gazza” for Gary. ---
**Author:** ![gwendee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/35a633/32.png) [@gwendee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gwendee)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2011, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/standard-nicknames-that-have-no-apparent-resemblance-to-the-full-name/598699/100 "2011-10-08T14:27:53Z")
> [@TreacherousCretin](#): > > I’m assuming this is pure coincidence, but maybe there’s a reason behind all of this. > > One of my oldest friends (we’ve known each other since Kindergarten 56 years ago) is named Harold, known all his life to parents, friends, classmates, coworkers, girlfriends, and wife as “Hal.” > > _But…_ his sister (two years younger) always called him “Butchie”, and his brother (four years younger) always called him “Butch.” When we were kids I sometimes asked them why, and they always shrugged and said they didn’t know. We were all in our fifties before I noticed them addressing him as Hal." > > What goes on here? My grandfather’s name was Norman. Actually, on his birth certificate it was N., but that’s for a different thread. Every one called him Bud. My grandmother said it was because his older sister couldn’t say “brother” clearly so it sounded like Bud when she talked to or about him. One time my grandmother was repeating the explanation when I happened to be sitting next to my great aunt, the sister in the story. “They’ve been telling people that for as long as I can remember. It’s nonsense. I was six years old when he was born! I could pronounce everything perfectly well. There was an older boy in the neighborhood named Bud Kereger who I thought was just wonderful. I thought they should have named the baby Bud so that’s what I called him.” (Nobody reverted back to calling him anything but Bud.) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/standard-nicknames-that-have-no-apparent-resemblance-to-the-full-name/598699.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/standard-nicknames-that-have-no-apparent-resemblance-to-the-full-name/598699.md?page=6)