Why is Robert called Bob and John called Jack sometimes? What is the history of or reason for this practice in changing the English names of people?
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This is called Hypocorism.
English forms nicknames in a variety of manners. Shortening, often to the first syllable:
Addition of the diminutive suffix, usually -ie or -y. It is often added to the end of an already shortened name. This suffix connotes smallness or endearment. Although most often applied to the names of children, it is not uncommon for an adult to be referred to by the diminutive, especially by family, friends and close acquaintances:
A short form that differs significantly from the name:
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Elizabeth - Liz, Lizzie, Beth, Betty Patricia - Tricia, Trish Michael - Mike, Mikey Robert - Rob, Bob, Bobby Jacob - Jake William - Will, Bill, Billy Katherine - Kate, Kathy, Katy, Kat Caitlin - Kate (and all the assorted spellings: Cait, Kate, Kait, Cate, etc) Jennifer - Jen/Jenn, Jenny, Jenna Pamela - Pam, Pammy Tamara - Tammy Christina/Christine - Christy, Chrissy, Chris Jillian - Jill Allison - Alli/Alley/Ali Megan - Meg James - Jim Debra - Deb, Debbie Jessica - Jess, Jessie Danielle - Dani Angela - Angie, Ang Katrina - Trina Nicole - Nicky Nicholas - Nick Samuel - Sam, Sammy Stephanie - Steph Andrew - Andy, Drew Amanda - Manda, Mandy Joshua - Josh Kimberly - Kim Matthew - Matt Jeffrey - Jeff Joseph - Joe Janet - Jan Rebecca - Becka, Becky Michelle - Shelly Benjamin - Ben, Jamie Joanna - Jo Kristen - Krissy Thomas - Tom, Tommy Margaret - Maggie (There are plenty more...these are just the ones that I saw while scrolling through my Facebook feed.) Basically, nicknames are a (usually) shorter, more familiar form of a name, usually used by friends and family. Some people will ask you to call them a nickname - perhaps to differentiate from a relative with the same name, because they do not like their given name, because that is how people in your shared circle of acquaintances know them, or to indicate that they feel a sense of familiarity with you (for example: strangers, acquaintances, coworkers and the like call me Bridget, but my family often shortens my name to Bri [pronounced Bree] or Bridey [an Irish diminutive form of my name] or B, my gamer college friends call me Bizzit or Biz [a corruption of my name from a sleep-deprived late night of gaming that just sort of stuck], my boyfriend's brother calls me Bridgey because he thinks it's funny, another friend calls me Babs because those are my initials...) While someone may think it's funny to call someone by a certain name (whether it's a given name or a diminutive form of their name that they dislike), it's usually best to ask if they would prefer a nickname before simply calling them by one, especially if you don't know someone very well. A more formal, conservative Michael may think you to be rude if you call him Mike (or god forbid, Mikey.) It's usually best to call someone by the name that they use to introduce themselves. |
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These are commonly referred to as nick-names. A nick-name is typically a shorter, more personal, and less formal version of someone's name. They are generally a shortened, but phonetically similar version of the original name. Many standard English names have garnered popular nick-names over the years. Some others: Christopher -> Chris Richard -> Dick, Rick Charles -> Chuck, Charlie Donald -> Don Stephen -> Steve Patrick -> Pat Ronald -> Ron Edward -> Ed (being a guy, I'm more familiar with the male names, but there are many more for women as well) |
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protected by Will Hunting Mar 27 '12 at 10:05
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