This morning, I was having a chat with a couple of younger colleagues. In the course of our discussions, the name – Dicky – of an associate in Singapore came up. I casually mentioned that his name was, in all likelihood, Richard and Dicky was his nickname. My comely comrades were totally floored – they just didn’t know that Dick was short for Richard. I mentioned Bob and Robert – bewilderment. Jim and James – ditto!
So for Indian folks not in the know, a shortened form of a word or name is called hypocorism. It is a nickname, pet name, or term of endearment.
Those who are unaware of the nicknames for common English names, here’s a guide (names of gents, followed by the names of ladies):
| Name Nickname/s |
| Albert Al |
| Andrew Andy |
| Anthony Tony |
| Arthur Art |
| Charles Charlie, Chuck |
| Christopher Chris |
| Daniel Dan, Danny |
| Donald Don |
| Edward Ed, Eddie |
| Eugene Gene |
| Francis Frank, Fran |
| Frederick Fred, Freddy |
| Henry Hank |
| Irving Irv |
| James Jim, Jimmy |
| Joseph Joe |
| John Jack, Jacky |
| Lawrence Larry |
| Leonard Leo |
| Nathan Nat, Nate |
| Nicholas Nick |
| Patrick Pat |
| Peter Pete |
| Raymond Ray |
| Richard Dick, Rick |
| Robert Bob, Bobby, Rob |
| Ronald Ron, Ronny |
| Russell Russ |
| Samuel Sam, Sammy |
| Stephen Steve |
| Stuart Stu |
| Theodore Ted, Teddy |
| Thomas Tom, Thom, Tommy |
| Timothy Tim, Timmy |
| Walter Walt, Wally |
| William Bill, Billy, Will, Willy |
| Amanda Mandy |
| Catherine Cathy, Cath |
| Christine Chris, Chrissy |
| Cynthia Cindy, Cynth |
| Deborah Deb, Debbie |
| Elizabeth Betty, Beth, Liz, Bess |
| Florence Flo |
| Frances Fran, Francie |
| Janet Jan |
| Katherine Kathy, Kate |
| Janice Jan |
| Nancy Nan |
| Pamela Pam |
| Patricia Pat |
| Roberta Bobbie |
| Sophia Sophie |
| Susan Sue, Suzie |
| Teresa Terry |
| Valerie Val |
| Veronica Ronnie |
| Yvonne Vonna |
However, do note that in some cases, what appears to be a pet name could be the actual given name. So while Bill Clinton is William Jefferson Clinton and Jim Carrey is James Eugene Carrey, Jack Dorsey (co-founder of Twitter) is NOT John Dorsey. His given name was Jack.
Visual Courtesy:https://www.flickr.com/photos/donkeyhotey/
