Very few people escape getting a nickname, with the origin of the name being anything from a memorable incident to a physical characteristic.

Today nicknames are often seen as a mark of acceptance and affection. Nicknames are not a modern phenomenon, however. They have been used throughout the ages by many societies and, for more practical reasons, between family members.

In Ancient Rome, a rigid naming convention meant that four daughters in a single family might share the same name. Therefore, a nickname was added to the first name and family name to distinguish between them.

In medieval times, a certain pattern of naming was usually followed. The first child was named after their paternal grandparent and so on, which inevitably resulted in many family members having the same name. Thus, nicknames, or eke names’, meaning additional, were giving to differentiate one John or Mary from the other.

The one and only unbreakable rule about nicknames is that you cannot give one to yourself. They’re very different to pseudonyms or pen names, which you may choose for a specific purpose. A nickname is generally bestowed on you as a mark of affection, although it can be used by bullies to tease people.

Pet names, given by a parent to a child, or by a lover to their beloved, are in essence nicknames. The reason for Squirrel’ or Bumpkin’, however, may not be as easy to spot as Curly’ or Specs’.

Among good friends, a nickname is often derived from a personal quality that you may not really want attention drawn to for example, Concorde’ for a long nose.

The practice of giving nicknames is still strong in many cultures and is also often applied to certain groups of people such as sports teams and army regiments.

Nicknames Down Under':

Australians are among the most enthusiastic givers of nicknames, keen to provide everyone with an alternative name. This culture adopts the more unconventional approach of using opposites to create a nickname. A tall man, for example, will often find himself called Stumpy’ or Shorty’, while straight hair will earn you the nickname Curly’, and red hair Bluey’.

Favorite sports teams:

No sports team is worth supporting, it seams, unless it has a nickname, often derived from the name of the team itself so the UK football team Arsenal’ becomes The Gunners’.

In the United States, a different tradition has prevailed of using North American Indians as team nicknames. This practice is now considered to be racially offensive, as it singles out only one ethnic group for this purpose. There were calls for it to be abandoned and for teams to be renames.

The British army:

In the regiments in the British Army, nicknames are coined for many different reasons.

The Royal Horse Guards were nicknamed The Blues’ in the 17th century, because of the color of their uniforms.

The 11th Light Dragoons earned the nickname The Cherry Pickers’ in 1811, when they were captured while picking cherries.

Origin of surnames:

Over time, surnames have evolved from nicknames, which were given as a means of identifying a family or an individual.

From occupation to appearance to location, family names were derived from nicknames such as Hillman’, Goodbody’, Smith’ or Butcher’.

Animals were also used for nicknames. The surname Martin, for example, is thought to have its origins in an ancestor who raised martens, a small weasel-like mammal, for their fur.

21st-century handles':

There is one exception to the rule of not choosing your own nickname Internet nicknames, or handles’. In cyberspace, regular visitors of virtual chat rooms’ will give themselves a nickname.

Internet names can be chosen according to how you wish others to see’ your character in cyberspace.

Nicknames can also be given among players of Internet role-playing games.

In the public eye:

Throughout history, public figures have often been given a nickname by which they are forever known.

English kings traditionally are given nicknames that reflect their reign. History records that England’s King Richard 1 (1189-1199) was name Lionheart’ for his bravery during the Crusades.

The world of politics is particularly prone to nicknames, such as the 37th American president, Richard Nixon, who was called Tricky Dicky’.