''Trey'' as a nickname for Mr. So-and-so III: Common or regional?

Factual Questions
1

I’ve encountered quite a few people whose names were (something) III, and who were called “Trey.” Is that universal or just local?

(The question is not about “Why ‘Trey?’” Even Ray Charles can see that.)

2

I know of several, and not all are Southerners. (I believe one of the characters on Sex and the City is Trey for that reason.)

3

I’ve heard it used in the Pittsburgh area, as well as the Navy.

4

Don’t know how universal it is, but I do know a couple here in Tallahassee who call their son “Trey” because he is So-and-So III.

So I guess it could be a southeastern thing–though I have to say he’s the first III whom I’ve met that is called “Trey.”

5

I believe Bill Gates is a III and his childhood nickname was Trey.

Yep, here’s a site that also says this.

Seattle is pretty far from the south.

6

I know a guy who’s a third and goes by “Trey”…but then, I’m also a third and don’t. We’re in Texas. Take that FWIW.

7

I know 2 Treys, neither of thier families are from the South. My vote is for universal.

8

I’ve also seen Chip as in “Chip off the old block”

Junior only really works if they are a II.

I really don’t know about the Trey origins…maybe a new Cecil research project…:dubious:

9

My first name actually is Trey, though I am not the third of anything. From the Midwest.

10

Add Montana to the list: I’ve met at least two Montanan Treys, both of them the third of their line.

And a classmate’s son is a fifth, and we call him “Mark Five” or “Version 5.0”. But I don’t think that those have caught on in the rest of the state, yet.

11

I had a childhood friend named Such And Such III, and he was called Trip (for Triplet). He and I were both Air Force Brats, so I’m not sure where his family was from originally.

12

I’ve known two IIIrds. One went by “Trey” even though his real name was William IIRC. The second went by “Hank” even though his real name was Henry. His son, Henry IV, went by Henry. Weirdness all around if you ask me. The “Trey” was a Texan, I think “Hank” was born somewhere else though.

Enjoy,
Steven

13

“Hank” is a nickname for Henry, like “Jack” for John.

Now, Hiram, Randall, and Shelton Williams going by Hank is rather strange (well, not so much Jr. and III; they’re obviously capitalizing on the famous name of Hank the first).
Oh, and to reply to the OP: I’ve known a couple of Treys in NE Texas.