Names and Nicknames (名前とニックネーム)

前回のEnglish is Interestingでは、「呼称」、つまり人が人を呼ぶときに使う言葉について紹介しました。もちろん、一般的な呼び方として相手の名前を使うことがあります。アメリカなどでは、マーティン・ルーサー・キング、ジョン・フィッツジェラルド・ケネディ、ヘンリー・デイヴィッド・ソローのように、3つの名前を持つ人もいます。その場合、最初の名前はファーストネーム、またはギブンネーム、2番目はミドルネーム、3番目はラストネーム、ファミリーネーム、またはサーネームと呼ばれます。スポーツ大会や刑務所、軍隊などを除き、ラストネームだけを使うことはまずありません。

In more formal situations, people may use a last name but only with a title, written as: Mr., Mrs., Miss, Dr., Pres., or Prof., for example, Mr. Thoreau or Pres. Kennedy.

When people have casual conversations, they often use first names. Some common first names for women, for example, are: Patricia, Susan, Elizabeth, Christina, Jennifer, Jessica, Abigail, Margaret, Kimberly, Barbara, and, for men, are: Joseph, Daniel, Charles, Michael, Christopher, Matthew, William, Thomas, Edward, Robert, Fredrick. It is often difficult to know how a name is spelled because names that sound similar are often written differently. For example, all these names sound the same but are written differently: Caitlin, Caitlyn, Catelinn, Catelynn, Kaitlin, Kaitlyn, Kaitlynn, Katelyn, and Katelynn. In formal situations, you may be asked, “How do you spell your name?” 

People often use nicknames in more casual situations with people they know well or with friends. A nickname can come from the formal name. Sometimes the spellings are changed a little. For example, the first part of a name may be used, for the names above for example: Pat, Sue, Eliza, Chris, Jen, Jess, Abi or Abby, Marge, Kim, Barb, and, for men: Joe, Dan, Mike, Chris, Matt, Will, Tom, Ed, Rob, Fred. Sometimes the first part is cut off and the last part is used, for example: Tricia, Beth, Tina, Gail, and, for men: Ward, Bert, Rick. Sometimes the first and last part are cut off, and the middle is used, for example, from Elizabeth: Liz, Lisa, Liza, Lisbet, Bet, Bess. Other changes are also possible for Elizabeth: Bessie, Bessy, Bette, Betty, Betsy, Eliza, Elsa, Elsie, Lisbeth, Libby, Lizzie, and Lizzy.  These examples show that ending a nickname with a -y or -ie ending is often done, especially for young people or people that have a close relationship. Using just a few of the names above again for example: Patty, Susy or Susie; Joey, Danny. Sometimes a sound will change in the nickname, for instance, from Margaret: Mag or Maggie and Peg and Peggy; Robert: Bob or Bobby; from William: Will or Willie and Bill and Billy; from Edward: Ned, Ted or Teddy.

There are so many possibilities when it comes to names that you may wonder what you should use! It is not really so difficult to find out though, when you meet new friends, they will often say what they like to be called. They may say, for example, “Call me Sue.” or “Call me Bob.” You may also be introduced, “This is Bob.” If you tell people your name they will usually reply with their own name, “Hi, I’m Bob.” If none of these happen, you can always ask, “What do you like to be called?”