Most unusual nicknames (based on a child's actual name) that you know of?

[Bagging]

What are the most unusual nicknames, which are based on a child's actual name, that you're aware of?

And how do you get schools to use nicknames instead of official names? Surely they have to teach children to use their legal names?

[Krispybacon]

Well, people at schools call the children by their nicknames especially if thats what their friends call them on the understanding thats what they go by however theyre under no obligation to

[Luredbyapomegranate]

Why would a school have to teach a child to use its legal name? That’s a bizarre idea.

If your child is Katherine nn Kitty, then you tell the teacher and the school registry she’s known as Kitty, and that’s what they’ll use.

[toastofthetown]

Of course children don’t have to be taught using their legal names only. If Alexander and Madeleine have been known as Alex and Maddy since birth or another child uses their middle name for some reason, the school aren’t going to completely ignore that and call them a name they don’t recognise. I recall a celebrity, possibly Kit Harrington, who didn’t realise his name was a diminutive until he was about ten!

I tend to find most very unusual nicknames for names a massive stretch. Even names where the diminutive has a long history of use, such as Polly. Makes perfect sense in a time where every girl was called one of Anne, Mary or Elizabeth so you need more diminutives and swapping consonants was a thing, but in modern Britain it doesn’t make much sense. One of the biggest stretch of a nicknames I know is Polly for Olympia - planned before birth, not sure if the family still use it.

[changingroom]

Peggy is a common nickname for Margaret. Always thought that was odd.

[funder]

I didn't know my granny's name was Sarah until her funeral. I was stood jaw to the floor as she had only ever been called Sadie.

[Irishfarmer]

@funder my g. granny was called Dolly, her name was Josephine! She was born in 1910 so different times!

[MooseBreath]

My aunt's name is Audrey, but she's always been called "Dede" as that's how her older sister (2 at the time) pronounced her name.

[Dinoteeth]

A child in my sons class is known as G.V. he has a really long Indian name. Parents call him that and presumably they have it in the school register as "known as".

[Honaloulou]

I know a Christopher who is always caller Tiffer. Really suits him.

[Cotherstone]

Schools use abbreviations or diminutives all the time, perfectly normal to start your child at school and say their name is Elizabeth but she’s known as Libby.

They're just not going to start calling them Poppet or Stinky…

[RewildingAmbridge]

DHs gran was always Cassie/Cass I assumed Cassandra or similar. At her funeral we both discovered her name was Priscilla!

[frydae]

And how do you get schools to use nicknames instead of official names?

Form:

Surname: X
Forename (s): Y Z

Known as: A

It's that simple. You tell them.


Surely they have to teach children to use their legal names?

This is a really bizarre idea that school would teach Chris to use Christopher when his parents didn't even call him that.

[oneforsorrow1]

@funder

I didn't know my granny's name was Sarah until her funeral. I was stood jaw to the floor as she had only ever been called Sadie.

That's what happened with my uncle, he was always uncle Jack before his funeral and it was John - I didn't know Jack was a nickname for John (still doesn't make sense to me)

[IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads]

@Honaloulou

I know a Christopher who is always caller Tiffer. Really suits him.

My cousin is a (Chris)Topher. I also know a (Ti)Mothy.

[Redannie118]

My dad was John but called Jack/Jackie, mostly to seperate him from his dad also called John.
Very close ( under 25) female relative called Sarah but everyone calls her Sally
When Grandma died we found her real name was Ellen and we had always cslled her Helen. They even named my cousin Helen after her !!

[Toughtimesagain]

My son has never used his legal name. He is currently sitting GCSEs using his shortened version.

[ChagSameachDoreen]

My friend's son is Aaron but he's known as Beanie. Even at school.

[emmathedilemma]

I know a Jordy real name Gordon. Never quite worked that one out!

[IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads]

Anthony known as Toby, never Tony

[LadyDanburysHat]

I know a Chloe known as Coco, she is called that at school too. Like others have said, all schools have a known as section on registration forms.

[AiryFairy1]

DD’s middle name is Elizabeth as DH and I both had dear granny Bettys (we thought) - turns out DH granny was christened Betty whilst mine was Elizabeth nn Betty (she made the Best shortbread 🥹)

[SycamoreTall]

There is no such thing as a "legal name" in the UK. Or rather, you can legally call yourself anything, and get documents in that name, as long as there is no intent to defraud.

As to your other question, I know an Amber nn Bambi and an Olive nn Ollie.

[babyjellyfish]

@funder Not quite the same but I had no idea my great aunt Sue's name was actually Isabel until it was printed on the order of service for her funeral.

No idea why she went with Susan, Isabel is much prettier!

[MaisyMary77]

Had no idea a male relative was called Howard until his funeral. Everyone called him James.

I’ve had a nickname derived from my very unusual first name since I was about seven. Won’t say what it is as it would be very outing. 😀 My parents blessed me with a very unique name….only just grown to like it in the last couple of years.

[CheeeeeeeeeeesusChrist]

I knew a Biddy - her real name was Winnifred