Genealogy Chat

Might come in useful

Common Nicknames & Their Given Name Equivalents It is common in many genealogical records, especially more informal records such as census records and obituaries, to find your ancestors listed under names you might not expect. In many cases these names may have been the nicknames that they were known by to their family and friends. Nicknames Given Names Bell, Bella, Belle Arabelle, Anabelle, Belinda, Elizabeth, Isabel, Isabella, Mirabel, Rosabel Belle Mabel, Sybil Bess, Bessie, Bessy, Beth, Bette, Bettie, Bettie, Betsy, Betsey, Bitsy Elizabeth, Elisabeth Bob, Bobby Robert Bobbi, Bobbie Roberta Boots Bertha Bridey, Brie Bridget Carrie, Carry Caroline, Charlotte Cindy Cynthia, Cinthia, Lucinda Daisy Margaret Delia Adelia, Adele, Cordelia Dick Richard Dobbin Robert Dode, Dody Dorothy, Theodore Dora Dorothy, Eudora, Theodora Ed, Eddie, Eddy Edgar, Edmund, Edward, Edwin, Edwina Effie, Effy Euphemia, Evelyn Eliza Elizabeth, Elisabeth Greta Margaret, Margaretha Ella, Ellie Eleanor, Elenora Fannie, Fanny Frances Frankie Frances (female), Francis (male), Franklin Genie Eugenia Ginger, Ginny Virginia Hal Harold, Henry Hank, Harry Henry Hattie Harriet, Harriett Hettie Esther, Henrietta, Hester Jack John Jamie James, Jameson Jenny Jane, Janet, Jeanette, Jennett, Virginia Jim, Jimmy James Jock, Johnnie, Johnny John Kate, Katie, Katy, Kay, Kit, Kitty Katherine Lena Angelina, Helena, Magdalena, Paulina, Selena, etc. Lisa, Lise, Liz, Lizzie Elizabeth, Elisabeth Lucy Lucinda Madge, Maggie, Midge Margaret Mamie Mary Marty, Martie, Mattie Martha May Mary Meg, Megan Margaret Millie, Milly Amelia, Mildred Moll, Mollie, Molly Mary Nell, Nellie, Nelly Eleanor, Elenora, Ellen, Helen Nora Elenore, Elenora, Honora, Honoria Ollie Olive, Olivia, Oliver Pat, Patsy, Patty, Pattie Martha, Matilda, Patricia, Patience Peg, Peggy Margaret Penny Penelope Polly, Pollie Mary, Paula Rich, Richy, Rick Richard Rob, Robbie, Robby Robert Robin Robert, Roberta Sadie, Sally, Sallie Sarah Sam, Sammy, Sammie Samuel, Samson, Samantha Sukie, Suchie, Suchy Susan, Susanna, Susannah Tad Theodore Ted, Teddy Edward, Theodore Theo Theodore Tilly Temperance Tillie Matilda, Mathilda Tina Christina Trina Catherine, Katherine Winnie Winefred, Winifred

Just to add that anyone called Winifred is sometimes known as Una.... an Irish thing :-) Cheers Gerry

I have come across a couple of Lala's whose real name was Sarah. Jackie

Pearl,Pearly- Margaret Fran

I have a number of Adas who are just Ada. A few Anns or Hannahs who were know as Nancy. Susan

My grandmother was always known as Belinda,but her name was Bridget.Another Irish thing I think. Fran

I have Ellens who became Nellie

nudge

On the other hand, sometimes something that looks like a nickname isn't. My grandmother was known by Lizzie, so naturally I was looking for records for Elizabeth only to find out that her proper name was Lizzie. She was baptised Lizzie and married as Lizzie. She was never Elizabeth. Margaret

Some people just don't like their given name and choose an alternative!!! These are some of the given names and used names off the top of my head, that I have found in my tree - and some have taken years to trace!! Agnes............... Amelia Mary ................ Amelia Ivan................... Frederick Beatrice...............Bella Sylvanus............. Herbert Alice................... Nell Gifford.................Stanley George................Stanley Richard................Dirty (don't ask!!) William.................Bob Philip....................Bob maggie

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I don't know why but my Uncle Fred was always known as Bronco. Don't expect he ever used it on official documents though! Jill

Hee Hee Robert, I can just see the frazzled enumerator asking your ancestor a question or two and impatiently NOT waiting for the answer. Ennumerator: When did you move here Your ancestor: *thinks* Ennumerator (wanting his tea): Any children? What names? Your ancestor answering the inital question: On,,,,,errrr Hence the poor chap got saddled with a girls name that census!!! maggie

Some common ones round here Sally - Sarah Polly - Mary Ann Nell - Mary Ellen Jinny - Jane Tizzy - Elizabeth Madge - Margery Peg - Margaret Nan - Ann Jay

I`ve got a great aunt who was HANNAH ELIZABETH -known as Bunt or Bunty and great aunt, ANNIE FRANCES known as Nina. Where do they get them from LOL, Ros

Agnes can also be Alice Bert - Albert Don't forget that this generations (1800's) seemed to like changing their forenames and middles names (if they had one) around from census to census. but does anyone know what Queenie could be for? My grandmother swears its a rellies 'real' name but we cannot find her registered as Queenie anywhere (plus half the 'real names' my grandmother has argued with us over have been wrong!LOL o much for asking the older generation!)

My sister inlaws names were Queenie Elizabeth they are on her birth certicate. QUEENIE Pet form of QUEEN We have a friend called Doreen her husband and her friends know her as Debbie, my husband who went to school with her know her as Dimp. cheers Annabel

Her are some found in my family. Harry - Horace Dooly - Constance Nellie - Lydia

nudge