There are many reasons why you might want a nickname. Your real name may be very long, boring, or difficult to pronounce. There may be several people in your social circle who share the same name, and you need an easy way to set yourself apart. You may also not like your first name. Some people enjoy "trying on" new nicknames as they begin a new chapter in life. Whatever the reason, when you decide to choose a nickname, you may have a hard time finding the right name. Fortunately, there are several options that can help you.
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Method 1 of 4: Creating a Nickname Based on Your Real Name
Step 1. Use only the first one or two syllables of your real name
The most common type of nickname is usually a shortened version of a person's first name. This is pretty standard, and can be a good option if you're changing schools, going to university, or starting a new job, and you want a whole new life. You'll find it easier to get used to nicknames that sound similar to yours, and because you'll be getting to know new people, it's also easier for them to call you just by shortening your first name. There are three main ways to truncate your first name.:
- Just remove at least one syllable from the end of your name. For example "Jon" from "Jonathan", "Bet" from "Betsi", "Sam" from "Samantha" or "Samuel", "Jess" from "Jessica", and "Santi" from "Santiago."
- Add "-ie," "i," or "y" to the short version of your name. If your real name only has one syllable, you can add sounds like this too. This method is more often used with names in childhood, but until now, many adults still use it. Some common examples are "Charlie" from "Charles", "Susi" from "Susan", and "Jenny" from "Jennifer". Sometimes you have to add new consonants to spell your name correctly, for example "Winnie" from "Winatia", "Patti" from "Patricia", and "Danny" from "Daniel".
- Add the vowel "e." The version could be a variation of your short name, such as "Mike" from "Michael," or it could completely change the sound of the name completely, for example "Kate" from "Kathleen."
Step 2. Choose a nickname based on the different syllables of your name
Use the same rules as above, choosing only the middle or last syllable. Traditional examples of using a syllable in the middle of a name are "Tony" from "Anthony" and "Tina" from "Christina". Traditional examples of using the last syllable are "Beth" from "Elizabeth" and "Rick" or "Ricky" from "Frederick."
You can always use this guide to create your own unique nickname. For example, if your name is "Patrick," you could choose "Trick" instead of "Pat."
Step 3. Consider other traditional alternatives to your first name
There are several unique nicknames, based on real names, that you can choose from (depending on the culture in which you live).
- There are many nicknames for English names, which are created on the basis of rhymes. Some examples are "Peggy" from "Margaret", "Dick" from "Richard", and "Bill" from "William". Several other names were developed based on historical trends or letter swapping, for example "Hank" from "Henry" and "Ted" from "Edward".
- Nicknames in Spain have their own rules. Many derivatives, especially for children, add the suffix "-ita" (for girls) or "-ito" for boys. Examples are "Lupita" from "Guadalupe" and "Carlito" from "Carlos." Some examples of traditional Spanish nicknames are "Lola" from "Dolores", "Chuy" from "Jesús", "Pepe" from "José", and "Paco" from "Francisco".
Method 2 of 4: Using Other Aspects of Your Legal Name
Step 1. Use a middle name
If you don't like your first name, just use a middle name. Many people have one or more additional names in addition to their first and last names. Some people also often use these names instead of their first names.
Step 2. Use your last name
Although this method is more often done by men, women can also use their last name as a nickname. Sometimes, this type of nickname appears organically when there are too many people with the same name in a class, office, or social circle. This method can also be effective if your first name is long or difficult to pronounce, while your last name is short and simple.
Step 3. Use the initials of your name
Choose your first two initials (or both first and last name if you don't have a middle name) to create a nickname. For example, someone named "Tommy Jonathan" could be called "TY", or someone named "Maria Katrin" could use the name "MK". Not all initials can be used as nicknames. Make sure your initials are easy to pronounce. As a general rule, nicknames made from initials usually contain two syllables and end in an "e" or "ka" sound.. Some people even go by just the first initial of their given name.
Step 4. Create anagrams
Anagram means you shuffle the arrangement of letters in a word to create a new word. A well-known fictional example of this anagram is the name Lord Voldemort, the villain from the Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling: "I am Lord Voldemort" is an anagram of his real name, "Tom Marvolo Riddle."
Step 5. Get creative with fun
You can change "Bath" to "Self," "Sal" to "Salamander", or "Rino" to "Rinodon". You can use alliteration, by creating a nickname based on the first consonant of one of the components of your name. You can also choose a word that rhymes with one of your names.
You can also choose based on the original meaning of your name or a word that sounds similar to that name. For example, "Ursula" is a derived name from a Latin word meaning "bear". If your name is Ursula, you can choose a nickname related to bears, such as "Honey". The name "Herbert" is derived from a word that roughly means "soldiers of light", but sounds like the English word derived from Latin, for a type of plant that has taste. You can also name a person after a plant name in a fun way, such as "Sage", "Timi", or even "Basil"
Method 3 of 4: Seek Inspiration from Other Sources
Step 1. Create a nickname based on personal characteristics
Many nicknames are taken from the things that make a person unique: a good runner can be called "The Foot", a Jakarta worker who doesn't live in the city can be called "Jakarta", or a diligent student you can call "Prof".
- You can also use an adjective to describe a person, such as "Abraham the Honest."
- You can also vary it by using a nickname that doesn't suit the person at all. For example, "Curly" from The Three Stooges and "Little" John (John the Little), Robin Hood's big friend.
Step 2. Get inspiration from jokes
Jokes are the best source of nicknames, although they can also be difficult to control. Commonly known jokes can be a good source of inspiration, but you can't force them. You just have to hope. If you've been thinking about a joke to make, try to find a nickname that could come up with the joke.
Step 3. Use online resources
There are lots of quizzes and nickname generators online, which can suggest different possible nicknames based on your personality and real name. Here are some examples in case you're confused (for English names):
- Nickname Chooser by selectsmart.com
- Quizrocket.com's Quiz "What Is Your Nickname"
- Gotoquiz.com's Quiz "What Nickname Suits Your Personality"
- Nickname Generator from quibble.com
Method 4 of 4: Avoiding Failure to Define Nickname
Step 1. Avoid exaggerating nicknames
This might work in some cases-for example, when a skinny guy gives himself the nickname “Muscle Man”-however, calling yourself “The Conqueror of Women” may endear a lot of people to you.
Step 2. Stay calm
No one likes someone who gets angry because someone else forgot to call him "The Terminator." People also usually worry about people who like to impose nicknames on others who don't want or like the nickname. Nicknames should be something fun and casual. Getting too serious about nicknames can make you ostracized by others.
Step 3. Be friendly
The essence of nicknames is to express friendship and love. Giving out nicknames that hurt other people's feelings or make them feel uncomfortable is bullying.
- If you're not sure if a nickname is a good choice, try saying it when you're having a one-on-one conversation with the person you want to call. This will help the person feel safe to express distaste for the nickname.
- If you're having trouble gauging your friend's reaction, ask "Did I just make you feel uncomfortable when I called you _?" If the answer is yes, don't try to convince your friend to accept the name. Friends' feelings are more important than your own cool idea.
- Sometimes, nicknames that sound insulting are actually just fun jokes from fellow friends. The most important difference is how the nickname affects how a person feels.
Step 4. Avoid nicknames that are hard to remember or pronounce
Most memorable nicknames are unique and to the point. “Ctulhlu” may sound cool, but it's hard to pronounce. Choose a nickname that is easy to spell and no more than a few syllables.
Step 5. Avoid inappropriate nicknames
If you want a nickname that's easy to accept, choose something appropriate in all situations. "Dr. Sexy" probably isn't a good nickname idea. If you think a nickname has a certain meaning that you don't know about, try looking it up on Google.
Tips
- Let everything happen naturally. Usually, nicknames are created by someone else, and choosing a nickname for yourself can be tricky. The only exception is when you introduce yourself to someone else for the first time, but this also only applies if your nickname is considered normal by your cultural standards.
- Be prepared to accept that some people will not take you seriously. Try to stay cheerful about your nickname.
