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Appendix:English given names

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Hypocoristics of English given names

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The following is a list of English given names, followed by their hypocoristics (note: always and as a courtesy ask before shortening someone else's first name, never assume they go by or use the shortened/alternative form).

A

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B

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C

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D

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E

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  • Edmund - Ed, Eddy, Ned, Neddy, Ted, Teddy
  • Edward - Ed, Eddy, Ned, Neddy, Ted, Teddy
  • Edwin - Ed, Eddy, Eddie, Ned, Neddie, Ted, Teddy
  • Elaine - Lainie
  • Eleanor - Ella, Elle, Ellie, Nell, Nellie, Nora
  • Ellen - Nell, Nellie, Ellie
  • Elliott - Elliot, Eliot, Eliott, Ell, Et, Lio, Elijah
  • Elizabeth - Bess, Bessie, Bette, Bet, Betty, Beth, Betsy, Eliza, Elise, Elsa, Elsie, Ellie, Ella, Lisa, Lisbeth, Lissie, Lily, Libby, Liddy, Lizbeth, Lizzy, Lizzie, Liz, Liza, Lilibet
  • Emily - Em, Emmy, Emma, Ellie, Milly
  • Erin - Erer, Rin, Ri
  • Ethan - Eth
  • Eugen - Gen
  • Eugene - Gene, Owen

F

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G

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H

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I

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J

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K

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  • Karina - Kara, Cara, Caris, Carrier, Carry, Cat, Catrin, Stacy, Cats
  • Katherine - Kathy, Kat, Katie, Kate, Kit, Kitty, Katy, Karen, Erin
  • Kathleen - Kathy, Kat, Katie, Kate, Kit,
  • Katrina - Kat, Trina
  • Kodiak - Kody, Kodik
  • Kenneth - Ken, Kenny
  • Kerry - Kai, Kerin, Keath, Heath, Ker
  • Kevin - Ken, Kenny
  • Kimberly - Kim, Kimmy
  • Kristen - Krissy, Kris

L

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M

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N

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O

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P

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Q

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  • Quincy - Quin, Quinn, Quince
  • Quinton - Quavie, Quavix, Quin, Quinn

R

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S

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T

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V

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W

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X

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Y

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  • Yin - Xin, Chinn, Yip
  • Yong - Yem, Yetch, Yang
  • Young - Younguth, Yugi
  • Yousef - Seth, You, Steff, Stef
  • Yue - Yu, Yew, Dewy, Duel, Du
  • Yvonne - Yo, Von

Z

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Diminutives

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Addition of the diminutive suffix, -ie or -y. It is often added to the end of an already shortened name. This suffix connotes smallness or endearment. Although most often applied to the names of children, it is not uncommon for an adult to be referred to by the diminutive, especially by family, friends and close acquaintances:

  • Anne - Annie
  • Arthur, Arturo → Art → Artie
  • August, Augustus → Auggie
  • George → Georgie
  • James → Jamie, Jim → Jimmy
  • Jonathan → Jon → Jonny
  • Kirstin → Kirstie
  • Robert → Rob/Bob → Robbie/Bobby
  • Timothy → Tim → Timmy
  • William → Will/Bill → Willie/Billy

Variants

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A short form that differs significantly from the name:

  • Dorothy → Dot, Dottie
  • Henry → Hank, Harry
  • Sarah → Sally

Others

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And combinations and variants of the above:

Many more diminutives can be produced by simply adding -y (or -ie) to the end of the short form e.g. Bill becomes Billy. This is also true if the full name is not very long e.g. Jackie and Johnny are both common whereas Bobby or Robbie are diminutives of Robert, never Roberty! Generally, though not always, an ending of "y" indicates a male, "ie" a female. Also by adding -o to the end of the short form e.g. Robbo from Rob, Davo from Dave, etc.

See also

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  • A discussion on the evolution of diminutives with a large list [1]

Further reading

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External links giving general information about English given names:

The names list published by the US Census Bureau:

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