Nicknames in the US

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I recently had a question about nicknames in the US.  How do we get them? 



When we are born, our parents give us a name and in general those names have common nicknames already associated with them.  So, our parents decide if we will be called by a nickname and which nickname will be used because sometimes a name has several nicknames associated with it. For example, Bob, Bobby, Rob, Robby and Bert are all common nicknames for the Boy's name Robert.   That name becomes the name most often used for that person.  Another example, you all know me as Cassie but my full name is Cassandra. But no one calls me Cassandra. 

So, in general, our nicknames are common nicknames associated with our full names.  They are picked by our parents at the same time they pick our full names. 

Occassionally, people change the nickname they use when they get older. For example, a boy named Timothy will probably be called Timmy by his parents but may want to be called Tim when he gets older.    Because some people think names that end with the ee sound - sound too juvenile or kid like.

Some nicknames are not associated with a persons given name.  For example, Bubba is a common nickname for boys in the southern part of the US. 

Sometimes nicknames are given by other people.  These names might be based on physical attributes such as Shorty or they may be based on sports qualities like Ace.  And these names just stick with the person and get used as a nickname.  These nicknames might only be used by people on your sports team or whoever gave you that nickname.  Or they might end up replacing your regular name. 

So, there you have it.  These are the most common ways we get a nickname in the US.

Thanks for listening.  This has been Cassie Brenn for fastfoodenglish.blogspot.com.