Are nicknames common in your country?
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (367425)
Rockingham, Australia
December 16, 2025 11:14pm CST
I’m wondering if nicknames are common in countries other than Australia. I often hear of some very clever nicknames but can’t always remember them.
I heard a new one today. There is a guy in the sea shanty group that we follow and he is called ‘the florist’ because he is always making arrangements – not floral arrangements, mind you, but other sorts of arrangements. Waterside workers or wharfies are notoriously lazy and one at the Esperance Port Authority was known as ‘rigor mortis’ because it was said that no-one had ever seen him move. Redheads are often called ‘Blue’, simply because they are not I guess.
My sister was known as ‘Herb’ for quite some years. Her name was Shirley and it became Sherbert Herbert which was then shortened to ‘Herb’. Go figure. Are nicknames common among your friends and associates?
The photo is of my brother and sister. They’re twins.
17 people like this
18 responses
@DaddyEvil (163725)
• United States
15h
Oh, yes, and often you don't want anyone calling you by that nickname.
They were adorable as tots. 
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (163725)
• United States
11h
@JudyEv Very true... Just like my nickname of DaddyEvil isn't really complementary but I still like it. 
1 person likes this
@aninditasen (17879)
• Raurkela, India
10h
I do have a nickname at home by which my family and relatives call me.
1 person likes this
@LooeyVille (57)
• United States
11h
Very common. Often you don't know a person's real name and only by their nickname.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (108190)
• United States
13h
What a great photo!
I was a sad kid, and it was very noticeable. Several men in our church would call me, Smiley. I was always respectful, but it annoyed the heck out of me.
My family tends to call me Ambie. And, of course, my dad, Dennis, is often called by his friends, Dennis the Menace. I assume that character made it to Australia?
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (91907)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
2h
Such adorable children, Love that photo. Yes, quite often people go by nicknames,
@Marilynda1225 (87485)
• United States
2h
Your brother and sister are so cute.
Nicknames are common here too. My son has been called doodlebug from a young age and now that he's grown he's still my doodlebug. The nieces and nephews all call him uncle doodlebug even though his given name is Jon.
@BACONSTRIPSXXX (16541)
• Torrington, Connecticut
11h
Awwww that's a cute pic and yes we even nickname our pets lol
1 person likes this
@noni1959 (11526)
• United States
16h
Besides shortened names, some have nick names. For instance, my ex is called Bear at times because he is very hairy. My first husband was called Brushstomper since he would stomp brush to bring out critters during hunting season. A coworker called me Sis since he said I was like his sister. My dad went by Tommy to coworkers, bowling league and business people. It was short for our last name of Thomas.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (367425)
• Rockingham, Australia
12h
It's very common here for names to be shortened but some nicknames have a different origin - like your Bear and Brushstomper.
@LindaOHio (208412)
• United States
13h
What a cute picture.
I've been called Scoop because of my writing. Hubby and others have called me Lin. Cousin #2 calls me Linda Lou Hoo. I signed a postcard Lin to my parents when I went to Bermuda. My father was livid because I didn't sign it Linda.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (367425)
• Rockingham, Australia
12h
I'm always Judy unless I'm in trouble and then I get Judith. My Mum was never very keen on Judy. She said she'd had too many milking cows called Judy so why she named me Judith is anybody's guess. 
My Mum was never very keen on Judy. She said she'd had too many milking cows called Judy so why she named me Judith is anybody's guess. 
@snowy22315 (200143)
• United States
9h
They are common here. My dad goes by his nickname, at least with family.
@LeaPea2417 (39281)
• Toccoa, Georgia
5h
My son when he was learning to talk as a toddler couldn't pronounce my sister's name, Stephanie. He would say "Ci Ci" and it was that way for many years , Aunt Ci Ci.
@wolfgirl569 (126553)
• Marion, Ohio
9h
They are common here. That's how I got my name. My dad was Everett and the guys he worked with just called him Ev. So mom and dad added the A sound to the end.
@Shiva49 (27716)
• Singapore
8h
What a lovely picture and more so of twins!
There are some that are used often like busybody, nosy.
I like ngeow commonly heard in Singapore - finding fault in everything and also for being stingy.
Some can be hurtful and borders on body shaming that is taboo nowadays.
