A nickname is a short, clever, cute, derogatory, or otherwise substitute name for a person or thing's real name (for example, Tom is short for Thomas). As a concept, it is distinct from both pseudonym and stage name, although there may be overlap in these concepts. A nickname is sometimes considered desirable, symbolising a form of acceptance, but can often be a form of ridicule. Many artists and actors have nicknames, which in years past were called a stage name. A person's online nickname may also be known as his handle, especially within hacker culture. Etymology: In Middle English the word was ekename (from the verb to eke, "enlarge"; compare Swedish öknamn). Later, an ekename developed into a nickname when the "n" shifted through junctural metanalysis. In Viking societies, many people had nicknames heiti, viðrnefni or uppnefi which were used in addition to, or instead of their family names. In some circumstances the giving of a nickname had a special status in Viking society in that it created a relationship between the name maker and the recipient of the nickname, to the extent that the creation of a nickname also often entailed a formal ceremony and an exchange of gifts. Contents 1 Nicknames for people 1.1 Relating to given names 1.1.1 Hypocoristism 1.1.2 Surname 1.1.3 Suffix 1.1.4 Culture 1.2 Relating to culture/nationality 1.3 Relating to counties of England 1.4 Relating to personal characteristics 1.5 Others 2 Nicknames of geographical places 2.1 Cities 2.2 Countries 2.3 Regions 3 Nicknames for political terms 4 Nicknames for some common items 5 Nicknames for professions 6 Nicknames for companies 7 Nicknames for universities 8 Military nicknames 9 Sports clubs and their nicknames 9.1 Football (soccer) 9.2 Australian Rules Football 9.3 Rugby Union 9.4 Baseball 9.5 NBA Basketball 9.6 International Basketball 9.7 Cricket 9.8 American Football 9.9 Canadian Football 9.10 Hockey (Ice) 10 Sports stadia and their nicknames 10.1 Australia 10.2 South America 10.3 Britain 10.4 United States 11 See also 12 External links Nicknames for people Types of personal nickname: Also known as pet name, shortened name, truncated name, alternate name, name derivative, associated name, hypocoristic form of a name, diminutized name, or diminuted name. Sometimes related to "alias." Relating to given names Hypocoristism A nickname may be a hypocoristic form of a person's first name. This is often a simple abbreviation of the name. For most English names the shortened form is taken from the first syllable e.g. Walt for Walter. However in many other languages it is much more common to use the last syllable of the whole name e.g. Italian Nino for Giovanni (via Giovannino, which is a diminutive form of Giovanni). Some abbreviations can use the middle of a word e.g. Liz for Elizabeth. There are a few names for which an archaic pronunciation of the full name is preserved in the short name e.g. Rick for Richard indicates that the -ch- was originally pronounced as -ck-. Some other nicknames were created by rhyming the shortened form of the full name, such as Ted or Ned for Edward (Ed), Bill for William (Will), and Bob or Nob for Robert (Rob). For those abbreviations that do not begin with the same letter as the full name, see list of short name forms. Examples: Ally, Allie, Ali for Alexandra, Allison, Alison or Alice Al, Alex, Andi, Lex, Xander, Sasha for Alexander or Alexandra Ann, Anna, Anne, Annie, Bella for Anabelle Andie for Andrea Andy, Drew for Andrew Ant, Tony, Toni, Tone for Anthony Barb, Barbie, Babs for Barbara Ben, Benny, Benji for Benjamin Bert, Bertie for Albert, Herbert, Bertram Betta for Elisabetta Chuck, Chaz, Charlie, Charley, Carson for Charles Chris, Chrissy, Tina for Christina Chris, Chrissy, Chrissie for Christine Chris, Topher for Christopher, Christian Di, Dicey, Didi for Diane, Diana Dink for Dennis Donna for Donnatella Dan, Danny for Daniel Dave, Davey for David Den, Denny, Dino, Dean for Dennis Dot, Dotty for Dorothy or Dorothea Ella, Ellie, Elle, Nell, Nellie for Eleanor Beth, Bess, Bessie, Betsy, Betty, Bette, Ellie, Eliza, Lisa, Liza, Liz, Lizzie for Elizabeth Eli, Lige for Elijah Eli, Lish, Leesh for Elisha Eli, Ellie, Elle, Elly, Lou for Eloise Em, Ems, Emmy for Emily and Emma Rikki, Rikkie, Ricky for Erica Frank, Frankie, Franky for Francis and Franklin Greg and Gegi for Gregory Geoff for Geoffrey Grey Goose, Gaz, Gazzer, Gar for Gary Gerry for Gerald or Gerard Harry, Hal, Hank for Henry, Hazel and Harold Isa, Bella, Belle, Bell for Isabel, Isabelle, Isabella Jack, Johnny for John Jackie for Jacqueline Jake, Jack for Jacob and Jacques Jay, Jayce for Jason Jeff for Jefferson or Jeffrey (originally for Jefferson but now more often Jeffrey, a new form of Geoffrey) Jen, Jenny for Jennifer Jerry for Jerome Jess, Jessie for Jessica Jez for Jeremy Jim, Jimmy, Jamie, Jock , Jake for James Joe, Joey for Joseph Jojo, Josey for Josiah Jon for Jonathan Jo, Josie for Joanne, Joanna, Josephine Josh for Joshua Judy for Judith Jules for Julie or Julia Jule for Julian Kat, Kate, Katie, Kathy for Katrina, Kathleen, Katherine or Kaitlyn Kels for Kelsey, Kelsie Ken, Kenny for Kenneth Kev, Crank for Kevin Kim, Kimber, or Lee for Kimberly or Kimberley Larry, Lar, Laurie for Lawrence or Laurence (male only) Laur, Lauri, Laurie, Lozza (australian) for Laurence, Laura or Lauren (female) Leo, Leona, Len, Lenny for Leonard or Leopold Liv, Livi for Olivia Lucy, Ceil, Ceall, Cille for Lucille Mandy, Mandi, Manda for Amanda Maddie, Maddy for Madeline, Madison Marge, Marg, Maggie, Mags, Meg, Megan, Peggy, Greta for Margaret Marty, Martie, Mattie for Martha Mally, Maidie, Mamie, Mare for Mary Matt, Mattie for Matthew Maur, Mo for Maureen Max for Maxwell, or Maximilian Meg, Mog, Gog for Megan Merv for Mervin Mia for Maria Mo for Mohammed Moll, Molly Dolly, Good Golly Miss Molly for Molly Nate, Nat for Nathan, Nathaniel, Natalie Ned, Ted for Edward Nick, Nicky, Niki for Nicholas, Nicole Pat, Patsy, Patty, Patti, Trish, Tricia for Patricia Pat, Paddy, Pa for Patrick Pete, Petey for Peter Rache, Rach, for Rachel Dick, Dickie, Dicky, Rich, Richie, Richy, Rick, Ricky for Richard Bob, Rob, Robby, Robbie, Robi , Bobby, Rab, Bert , Bertie , Butch , Bobbers , Bobert , Bobadito, Robban (in Sweden) for Robert Ron, Ronnie for Ronald Rosie, Rose for Rosemary Rube for Reuben Rusty, Russ for Russell Ry for Ryan Sally, Sallie, Sadie for Sarah Sam, Sammy, Sammie for Samuel, Samantha, Samson Sandy, Al, Alex for Alexander Sandra, Sandy, Al, Alex for Alexandra Shazza for Sharron Sophie, Sophia for Sophronia Steph, Stephie for Stephanie Steve for Stephen (or Steven) Stewie, Stew, Stu for Stewart, Stuart Sue, Susie, Suzie for Susan/Suzanne (most often Sue or Susie for Susan and Suzie for Suzanne) Ted, Teddy, Theo, Tad for Edward, Theodore Teddie, Thea, Theo for Theodora Tom, Thom, Tommy for Thomas Terrie, Terri for Teresa, Theresa Ty for Tyler, Tyann, Tyrone Vicky, Vicki, Vickie, Tori for Victoria Vince, Vin, Vinnie for Vincent Ginny for Virginia Vivi, Viv for Vivian Wen, Wendel for Wendy Will, Wils, Willy, Willie, Bill, Billy, Liam for William Zach, Zack, Zac for Zachary Many of these names are also registered as formal birth names. Surname A nickname may relate directly to a person's surname. Examples: Fletch for someone with the surname Fletcher Mitch for someone with the surname Mitchell Scotty for someone with the surname Scott Marty for someone with the surname Martin It may also relate indirectly to a surname. Examples: Chalky for someone with the surname White Sandy for someone with the surname Brown Dusty for someone with the surname Miller Doggy for someone with the surname Barker Dicky for someone with the surname Bird Dinger for someone with the surname Bell Chook for someone with the surname Fowler (only in Australia, where 'chook' is slang for chicken) Dutchy for someone with the surname Holland Suffix A nickname may be based on a person's suffix, as to distinguish them from their namesake, as in: Junior, J.R. for someone who is a junior (Jr.) Deuce for someone who is the second (II) Trey, Tré, Tripp for someone who is the third (III) Ivy, Ivey, I.V. for someone who is the fourth (IV) Doc for someone who is a doctor (Dr.) Culture A nickname may reflect a national or cultural style. In the United States, for instance, rhyming contractions or plays on a person's name are common, as in: Flo-Jo (Florence Griffith Joyner) Ho-Jo (any person named Howard Johnson or the chain of hotels with the same name) Also, it is common in some American cultures, such as among athletes or among African-Americans that take the first letter of the first name and hyphenate it with the first syllable of the last name to create the nick name, such as: J-Lo (Jennifer Lopez) A-Rod (baseball star Alex Rodriguez) K-Fed (Kevin Federline, Britney Spears' husband) T-O (football star Terrell Owens) A-I (basketball star Allen Iverson) J-Roll (baseball star Jimmy Rollins) E-Vo (salesman Ed Vo) Calling a person by their initials is also common. Nicknames, whatever their original basis, may become cultural norms. 'Sis', (slang for 'sister') for example, is often picked up and used by all the members of a family, their friends and society at large. Similarly, 'Chip' (off the old block) and 'Junior' can be used for any youngster and the nickname may follow the person into adulthood. Relating to culture/nationality It may relate (offensively or otherwise) to a person's nationality or place of origin. Main article: Offensive terms per nationality Examples: Aussie for an Australian Beaner for a Mexican (Offensive, used in the USA, Canada) Bonians or Frog for a Frenchman (Offensive, used by English Navy during 19th century against Napoleon Bonaparte's Navy, mainly used by Britons) Canuck for a person from Canada Caper for a person from Cape Breton Island in the province of Nova Scotia Curry for an Indian or Sri Lankan Fag for a homosexual (derogatory, usually refers to male homosexuals, more commonly used for cigarettes in the UK) Flip for a Filipino (derogatory, used by Americans in the early 1900s when the Philippine Islands was a U.S. Commonwealth; FLIP as an Acronym for Fucking Little Island People has questionable origins) Fritz for a German Geordie for a person from Newcastle Upon Tyne Jap or Nip for a person from Japan (Nippon) (offensive, used around World War II) Chink for a person of Chinese or other East Asian descent (offensive, used mainly by Britons) Dyke for a female homosexual (derogatory) Kimchi for a person from Korea Kiwi for a New Zealander Kraut for a German (offensive, used since World War II) Keling for an Indian (offensive) Charlie for a Vietcong (mainly used around Vietnam War) Harp for an Irish person Hong Kee for a Hongkonger (Used by some Malaysians and Singaporeans) Indon(s) for an Indonesian (used by Malaysians) Limey for an English person (U.S. usage); Pom or Pommy (Australian usage) Mac or Jock for a Scottish person 'Mank' for someone from Manchester, UK Mainlander for a person from The People's Republic of China, to distinguish them from Hongkonger or Taiwanese of Han Chinese ethnicity. Mainly used amongst Asians Mexican for a Melburnian (used by Sydneysiders because Melbourne is "south of the border") Mick for an Irish or Catholic person (offensive) Newfie for a person from Newfoundland and Labrador Nigger for a person of African descent (derogatory, particularly if said by a person of non-African descent) Paddy for an Irish person Pinoy (or Noypi) for a Filipino person Polak, Pollok or Pollack for a person from Poland Pommy (or Pom) for an English person Queb' for a person from the province of Quebec Scouser for a person from Liverpool Reds for a communist person, especially for one from the Soviet Union Taff for a Welsh person Roast Beef for an English person Ruskies for a Russian 'Seppo' for a person from the United States - Australian slang, orig. British rhyming slang (Seppo - Septic - Septic Tank - Yank.) Tex for a person from Texas Wack for a person from Liverpool (obsolete) Wog for a Westernised Oriental Gentleman, also a southern European (usually Italian or Greek)- Australian usage Yank or Yankee for a person from the United States, particularly those Americans from the U.S. Northeast (if used by someone from the U.S. South, the term is intended to be pejorative) Relating to counties of England A nickname may relate to an English person's county of origin. Examples: Bedfordshire Bulldog or Bedfordshire Clanger Buckinghamshire Beef and Bread Cambridgeshire Camel or Crane Essex Calf 'Ampshire 'Og (Hampshire) Lincolnshire Yellowbelly Kentish Long-Tail (Kent) Norfolk Dumpling or Norfolk Pudding Suffolk Fair-Maid or Silly Suffolk Surrey Capon Wiltshire Moonraker Yorkshire Tyke Relating to personal characteristics A nickname may relate to the person's occupation. Examples: MacGyver for someone who is good at fixing things Chips for a carpenter Sparky or Sparks for an electrician or radio operator Chief for a boss Skipper or Skip for a captain or boss It may reference a person's physical characteristics. Examples: Baldy or Curly (ironic) for a bald person Tubby or Chubby for a fat person Lofty, Lanksta or Stretch for a tall person Four-eyes for a person with glasses (offensive) Specs for a person who wears glasses Wheels for a person who uses a wheelchair (generally considered offensive) Carrot, herring, bloodnut, Carrot Top, Ginger, Red, Rusty, Ranga (Australian) or Firecrotch for a person with red hair Blondie for a person with blond hair Grey for a person who has a very Light Blue eye color, also called the Grey eye color. This is particularly common in Spanish-speaking cultures, with nicknames like Flaco (thin) or Palito (little stick), El Gordo (the fat guy), Chino for anyone who looks vaguely Asian, or Gato (cat) for someone with blue or green eyes. It may be a sarcastic, or simply ironic, reference, e.g., Curly for someone with straight hair (or no hair at all) - this form was typical in Australian English in the mid 20th Century but less so in current parlance, e.g: Bluey for a person with red hair Tiny for a very large person Dulz for a cross eyed person (offensive) Shorty for a very tall person Slick for a clumsy, awkward or shy person Slim for a fat person It may relate to a person's character, imagined or real. Examples: Grumpy Swotty Romeo It may relate to a specific incident or action. Example: Capability Brown was so called because he used the word "capability" instead of "possibility". Other examples include: Chemical Ali and Comical Ali. Many fictional characters have nicknames relating to events: Examples include the Red Comet, White Tiger, Desert Tiger and Hawk of Endymion. It may compare the person with a famous or fictional character. Examples: Napoleon or Hitler for someone with a dictatorial manner It may be related to their place of origin or place of residence. Example: Gloucester, Paul from Gloucester or PFG for someone named Paul who comes from a town called Gloucester. It may reference a person's political affiliation. Examples: Dipper for a member of Canada's NDP Party. Tory for a person affiliated with Great Britain's Conservative Party Others A famous person's nickname may be unique to them: Tippecanoe for William Henry Harrison Dubya for George W. Bush. Dubya is from the Texan pronunciation of 'w', Bush's middle initial. Jack The Dripper for painter Jackson Pollock who created many of his works by dripping paint over horizontal canvas Gazza for English footballer Paul Gascoigne (though used more widely in Australia for Gary) and similar "zza" forms (Hezza, Prezza, etc) for other prominent personalities whose activities are frequently reported in the British press A person's nickname may have no traceable origin. For example, a person named "Harold" may be nicknamed "Fred" for no apparent reason, or a man who was named after a relative may ask his friends to call him "Chip" to avoid confusion. Nicknames of geographical places Cities See also: list of city nicknames for a more comprehensive list. Heart of America (It's near the geographical center of America), City of Fountains (It has the most public fountains of any U.S. city), KC (also KCK when referring specifically to Kansas City, Kansas, and KCMO when referring specifically to Kansas City, Missouri) - Kansas City, Kansas and Missouri The Big Sweet Grass Basket, The Palmetto City, The Holy City, The Big C-H-S, The Marina City, Chucktown - Charleston, South Carolina Charm City - Baltimore, Maryland The Big Apple, "The City That Never Sleeps"- New York, New York "The Windy City", "Chi-Town", "Second City", "City of Big Shoulders", and "Hog-Butcher To The World" - Chicago, Illinois. (These last two are from the poem by Carl Sandburg; see also Nicknames for Chicago.) The Forest City - Cleveland, Ohio, London, Ontario, and Rockford, Illinois The Big Easy,Cresent City - New Orleans, Louisiana Space City, Bayou City, H-Town, Oil Capital of the World - Houston, Texas The Holy City - Charleston, South Carolina Hotlanta/ATL/A-Town/The A - Atlanta, Georgia The Circle City, Indy, Nap Town (popular slang) - Indianapolis, Indiana Bluff City, City of Churches, Blues City,M-Town, The M - Memphis, Tennessee The Magic City - Birmingham, Alabama Mill City, City of Lakes, Twin Cities, Moscow on the Mississippi, San Francisco on the River - Minneapolis, Minnesota Brew City - Milwaukee, Wisconsin Motor City, De-twah (Mostly used by Michiganders),Dirty D, The D,Hockeytown, Motown, D-Town - Detroit, Michigan Music City, Cashville - Nashville, Tennessee Sin City - Las Vegas, Nevada D.C., The District - Washington, D.C. The Mile-High City - Denver, Colorado The Big Smoke - London, United Kingdom, also Toronto, Canada "Hogtown", "T.O.", "T-Dot"; and Centre of the Universe - Toronto, Canada, often used negatively by Canadians who live outside of Toronto due to the fact that the city is one of the financial and cultural hubs of Canada and that there is a perceived bias towards Toronto by the Canadian media and its Prime Minister "The Hammer", "Hammertown" or "Steeltown" - Hamilton, Ontario Van City - Vancouver, British Columbia Horse Capital of the World - Lexington, Kentucky Beantown, The Hub - Boston, Massachusetts City of Angels, La La Land, L.A. - Los Angeles, California Pearl of the Orient - Hong Kong and Manila both claim this nickname. Queen City of the South - Cebu City, Philippines Steel City - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania City of Brotherly Love - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania The Emerald City - Seattle, Washington The Gateway to the West, STL, The Lou - St. Louis, Missouri The Ingrown Empire - pejorative slang for the Inland Empire (Pacific Northwest) Spokane, Washington Crossroad of the Pacific - Honolulu, Hawaii The City of Lights and Flowers - Anchorage, Alaska Harbour City - Sydney, Australia City of Churches - Adelaide, Australia due to the overall large nature of them in this city. The Place to Be - Melbourne, Australia. Initially created by the local Government to describe the numerous world events Melbourne hosts each year. BrisVegas - Brisbane, Australia due to its similarities with LasVegas as far as weather, nightlife (used ironically) and general atttractions go Winterpeg or "The Peg" - Winnipeg, Canada Due to the city's extremely cold weather and the idea that Winnipeg is the geographic centre of Canada. The Bridge City, The Hub City - Saskatoon, Canada due to Saskatoon having many bridges relative to its population and being the "hub" along many provincial highways, with convenient routes to other centres in the province and beyond. J-Ville, "Where Florida Begins" - Jacksonville, Florida Big D - Dallas, Texas "Where the West Begins," Funkytown, FW (pronounced "EFF-dub") - Fort Worth, Texas BK/BX- Boroughs in New York City Brooklyn, New York and Bronx, New York "Vah-Beach" - Virginia Beach, Virginia The Rocket City - Huntsville, Alabama Peanut Capital of the World - Dothan, Alabama The Springs - Colorado Springs, Colorado The Queen City, The 'Nati with 2 Sins, Cinci, Porkopolis - Cincinnati CT - Canterbury, England Countries The Great White North - Canada The Land Down Under, Oz - Australia The Land of the Long White Cloud - New Zealand L'hexagone (The Hexagon) - France The Fine Country - Singapore - Often in a sarcastic or satirical manner, as to playfully describe the law enforcement of Singapore as corruption-free and highly efficient; however, the island nation is also widely accepted has been imposing high fines to minor offences such as littering with such high effiency that granted such nickname to the nation. The Land of the Rising Sun - Japan The Pearl of the Orient Seas - Philippines Da Lu (mainland - lit. 'Big Land') - mainland China The States, America, Uncle Sam, Jesusland - United States (Jesusland is mostly the United States [1]) The Emerald Isle - Ireland Blighty - Great Britain The Lucky Country - Australia The Country With no Nickname - Sweden The Boot - Italy Regions The Wet Coast - British Columbia, Canada; a play on "The West Coast" because that area of the country rains a lot Red states - states that strongly supported George W. Bush in the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections Blue states - states that strongly supported Al Gore and John Kerry in the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections, respectively The Deep South, Bible Belt - Southern U.S. The Dirty South (usually the South Eastern States but not limited to the whole Old South) The Left Coast - the states of Washington, Oregon, and California in the United States; due to their location in the country and general support of "the left" (liberal political ideology). Bridge of the World, Heart of the Universe (Spanish: Puente del Mundo, Corazón del Universo) - Republic of Panama; due to the convergence of the principal trade routes through its Panama Canal Nicknames for political terms Red - a communist, but can also mean a rebel who is against the government; inclining towards the left wing politically, as in a "Red Tory" in Canada, that is, a moderate conservative; also, ironically, a member or supporter of the United States Republican Party Blue - a member or supporter of the United States Democratic Party; a supporter of the Conservatives in Canada -- and a "Blue Tory" is a right wing conservative Pinko, Trot - a borderline communist Hawk - a person who supports and pursues aggressive foreign policies, such as going to war in order to achieve his/her goals Dove - a person who supports and pursues peaceful means to conduct foreign policy, as opposed to war Skinhead - a neo-Nazi or a white supremacist Tory - a person belonging to the British or Canadian Conservative Party. Grit - a person belonging to the Liberal Party in Canada The Little Red Book - the book that contains quotations from Chairman Mao Zedong, often called that because the book itself has a red cover and small enough to fit into a pocket Nicknames for some common items boob tube, idiot box, telly, TV, goggle-box (UK), glass nipple - television bug or VW bug - Volkswagen Beetle head - toilet on a ship loo, john, potty, bog, can, shitter - toilet Old Glory - the Flag of the United States Puter - Computer Knowledge Box - Computer with the Internet Brew, Man Juice, Glug Glug - Beer Nicknames for professions Blue (southern US), Stripes, Zebra, Sisco - referee Beancounter - accountant Chippie, Wood Butcher - carpenter Chaps - chaplain in the Navy or Marine Corp Copper, Rozzer (Brit.), Bobby (Brit.), The Fuzz (plural), Cop, Pig/Bacon, Flatfoot, Blueboy, Po-po - police officer Doc, Sawbones, Quack - doctor Fed - agent from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, or, the Federal Reserve Foodie - chef Geo - geologist or geophysicist Loan Shark - a loan salesman Narc - an undercover cop Roomie - hotel employee Roughneck - oil rigger Sawbones - surgeon Shark, Ambulance Chaser, Shyster - lawyer Shovelbums - archaeological field technicians Shrink - psychiatrist Spook (usually a plural) - (U.S. military) intelligence agent Nicknames for companies "Auntie" - British Broadcasting Corporation, Australian Broadcasting Corporation "The Beeb" - British Broadcasting Corporation "Big Blue" - IBM, computer hardware/software manufacturer "The Big Eye" - CBS, broadcasting network "Bloblaws" or "Blah-Blahs" - Loblaws, Canadian supermarket chain "BK Lounge" - Burger King, global fast-food chain "Crapple" - Apple Computer, a computer, software and consumer electronics manufacturer "Gold Mansacks" - Goldman Sachs, investment banking firm "Great Yellow Father" - Eastman Kodak "Ho-Jo" - Howard Johnson "Jacques Penné" - JCPenney clothing stores "Jack in the Crack" - Jack-in-the-Box "K-Fry" or "K-Fried" - KFC, American fried chicken restaurant chain "The Little Thief" - Little Chef, UK roadside restaurant "Lose-It" - Loomis, Canadian courier company "Ma Bell" - AT&T, American telephone company "Marks & Sparks" - Marks & Spencer, British department store chain "Mickey D's", "Golden Arches", "McDeath", "Rotten Ronnie's", "McDogchow", "McDick's", "McConvicts", "MacDo" mainly in France, though former usage common in Australia in addition to Australian "Macca's" - McDonald's, global fast-food chain "Monkey Ward" - Montgomery Wards Department Store chain "M$," "Micro$loth,", "Micro$haft", "Micro$hite" or "The Borg" - Microsoft, American software company "Mothercorp" - Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Canadian national broadcaster "Needless Markup" - Neiman Marcus, American upscale specialty retail department store "OOPS" - UPS, American courier service "Pizza Slut", "Pizza Smut" - Pizza Hut, Global pizza chain "Scan dick", "Scandalic" - Scandic "Skandial" - Skandia "Slev" or "Sleven" - 7-Eleven "Snot Gothic", "Goth Stoppit", "Whiny Hole" - Hot Topic "Sooner-or-Later" - Purolator, Canadian courier company "Tar-Get" ("Get" pronounced "zhay")- Target retail store chain. "Timmy's," "Tim's" or "Timmy Ho's" - Tim Hortons, Canadian coffee and doughnut chain "Taco Hell", "Toxic Hell", "Baco Tell", "Taco Smell", "Toxic Bell", "Taco Beelzebub" - Taco Bell fast-food restaurant chain "Wally World" or "Mall-Wart" - Wal-Mart, global chain of retail stores. "Weggies" - Wegmans Food Market inc. "Office Despot" - Office Depot, chain of office supply stores. Nicknames for universities "Bama" for University of Alabama "Bobby-Gee's" for Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, Scotland "Cal" for University of California, Berkeley "Funshawe" for Fanshawe College in London, Ontario, Canada "Harvard on the Hill" derogatory term used for local community colleges "Ikeys" for the University of Cape Town, South Africa "M-Dub" for University of Mary Washington "Marjons" for the College of St Mark & St John, Plymouth, UK "Maties" for the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa "Mizzou" for University of Missouri - Columbia "Okie State" for Oklahoma State University "Ole Miss" for University of Mississippi "Oxbridge" for University of Cambridge, UK and University of Oxford, UK. Mainly used to indicate the combination of these. "Pitt" for University of Pittsburgh "Snodfart" for Stanford University "Southern" for Southern Baptist Theological Seminary "SUNY-Harlem" for Columbia University "The 'Cuse" for Syracuse University "The Farm" for Monash University "The Harvard of the East" for Harvard University "The Joe" for St. Joseph's University (Philadelphia, PA) "The Shop" for University of Melbourne "The U" for University of Miami Football Program, University of Utah, University of Minnesota "The Y" for Brigham Young University "The Yard" for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff "The Zoo" for Kalamazoo College "Tukkies" or "Tuks" for the University of Pretoria, South Africa "U-Dub" for University of Washington "UConn" for University of Connecticut "UMass" for University of Massachusetts "ZooMass" for University of Massachusetts Amherst "Vandy" for Vanderbilt University "Wastern" for Western Michigan University "Wazzu" for Washington State University Military nicknames G.I. - American soldier (short for Government Issue or General Infantry), also called "doughboys" before WWI Dogface, gopher, grunt, cannon fodder, Bullet Stopper, Bushwacker, 11 Bang-Bang, 11 "Bravo" Infantard - infantry soldier D-boys, Delta boys, Deltas - Delta Force Zipperhead - armoured soldier Gunbunny - artillery soldier Matelots, squids, swabies, deck ape, deck monkey - sailors Frogs - Navy Seals Leathernecks, jarheads, devil dogs, morons - U.S. marines Puddle jumpers, shallow water sailors, weekend navy, Knee-deep Navy, puddle pirates, Gilligans - United States Coast Guard Chairforce, Flyboys - United States Air Force Blue job, wallet head - Canadian Air Force Blanket Stacker - members of Logistics or Engineering units Bin rat - Supply technician, Canadian Forces Redcap - British Military Police officer Floating Heads and Diggers - Australian Army Soldiers Biggles - Australian Air Force Pilot Raffies - Australian Air Force Personnel Fire Dawgs - American Marine, Air Force, and Army Firefighters Pongos - British Army, Australian Army (As in 'Where ever the army goes, the pong goes') Crab fats, crabs - Members of the Royal Air Force See also: List of nicknames of British Army regiments; Regimental nicknames of the Canadian Forces Sports clubs and their nicknames Sporting clubs are often given nicknames. These may or may not be incorporated into official names or be used by the club. The names of animals or colours are popular. Examples: Football (soccer) The Addicks - Charlton Athletic Les Aigles de Carthage (Eagles of Carthage) - Tunisia national team Albicelestes (The White-and-Sky-Blues) - Argentina national team All Whites - New Zealand national team Els Arlequinats (Harlequins) - CE Sabadell Asini Volanti (Flying Donkeys) - Chievo Verona Gli Azzurri (Blues) - Italy national team Bafana Bafana (The Boys) - South Africa national team The Baggies - West Bromwich Albion Bajen - Hammarby IF Bhoys, Hoops - Celtic I Bianconeri (The White-and-Blacks), La Vecchia Signora (The Old Lady) - Juventus The Black Cats - Sunderland Blåvitt (Blue-White), Änglarna (The Angels) - IFK Göteborg Les Bleus - France national team The Blues - Chelsea Canaries - Norwich City Canaris - Nantes Los Carballones - Real Oviedo Los Ches - Valencia Colchoneros (Mattress Makers) - Atlético Madrid Los Chicharreros - Tenerife Chivas or Chivas Rayadas - Club Deportivo Guadalajara A.C. Clube do Povo, Rolo Compressor (historical) - Sport Club Internacional Los Culés, Los Azulgranas (The Blue-scarlets) - FC Barcelona Les Diables Rouges, Rode Duivels (Red Devils in French and Dutch) - Belgium national team Los Diablos Rojos - Club Deportivo Toluca The Dons - Aberdeen, AFC Wimbledon, MK Dons The Dynamite - Denmark national team Les Éléphants - Côte d'Ivoire national team Geißböcke (Billy Goats) - FC Köln 'Gers, Blue Bears - Rangers Gnaget - AIK Godenzonen (Sons of God) - Ajax Amsterdam The Grecians - Exeter City F.C. - Exeter City The Gunners - Arsenal The Hoops - Shamrock Rovers The Hoops - F.C. Dallas (USA) The Jags - Partick Thistle F.C. Jambos, Jam Tarts - Hearts Järnkaminerna (The Iron Stoves) - Djurgårdens IF Klubi - HJK Helsinki The Latics - Oldham Athletic, Wigan Athletic Les Lions de l'Atlas (Lions of Atlas) - Morocco national team Les Lions de la Téranga - Senegal national team The Lilywhites - Preston North End Lions Indomptables (Indomitable Lions) - Cameroon national team The Locomotive - Czech Republic national team Magpies, Toon - Newcastle United Makrillarna (The Mackerels) - GAIS Matildas - Australia women's national team Los Merengues (The Whites), Los Galácticos (The Galactics) - Real Madrid Nàstic - Gimnastic de Tarragona Oranje (Orange) - Netherlands national team Els Orelluts (Long-eared bats) - CD Castellón O Peixe (The Fish), O Alvinegro (The White-and-Black) - Santos Panzer, Elf - Germany national team Portokaloi - [ APOEL F.C., Cyprus Football Association] Los Pimentoneros (The Peppers) - Real Murcia The Potters - Stoke City Rams - Derby County Red Devils - Manchester United The Reds - Nottingham Forest, Liverpool The Reggae Boyz - Jamaica national team Rossoneri - AC Milan Sinivalkoiset - Finland national team Sky Blues - Coventry City Soccerroos - Australia national team Super Eagles - Nigeria national team Taeguk Warriors - South Korea national team 'The Three Lions', 'St. George Cross' - England national team Los Ticos - Costa Rica national team The Toffees - Everton Los Tricolores, El Tri - Mexico national team United - Clubs named United often use their surname as a nickname. Vatreni (The Firey Ones), Kockasti (The Chequereds) - Croatia national team I Viola (The Purples) - Fiorentina Wolves - Wolverhampton Wanderers Xeneizes - Boca Juniors Australian Rules Football See also List of nicknames used in Australian rules Fremantle Football Club - Dockers, Freo West Coast Eagles - Weagles Essendon Football Club - Dons, Bombers, Baby Bombers Collingwood Football Club - Pies, Woods, Colliwobbles St Kilda Football Club - Saints, Sainters Western Bulldogs - Bullies, Dogs, Doggies, Footscray, The Scray Melbourne Football Club - Demons, Dees, Redlegs Carlton Football Club - Blues, Blueboys, Bluebaggers, the 'Baggers Sydney Swans - Swannies, Bloods, Blood Soaked Angels Kangaroos Football Club - Shinboners, Roos, Rooboys, Kangas Hawthorn Football Club - Hawks, Hawkers Adelaide Football Club - Crows, Croweaters Brisbane Lions - Lions, Brissie, Roys (Derived from Fitzroy; one of the two teams merged to create Brisbane) Geelong Football Club - Cats, Catters Port Adelaide Football Club - Port, Power, Ports Richmond Football Club - Tigers, Tiges Victorian Representative Team - Big V, Vics Western Australian Representative Team - Sandgropers South Australian Representative Team - Croweaters Queensland Representative Team - Cane Toads New South Wales Representative Team - Cockroaches Combined NSW/ACT/QLD/NT/Tas Representative Team - Allies Papua New Guinea National Team - Mosquitos Samoa National Team - Bulldogs Irish National Team - Green Machine Nauru National Team - Chiefs Canada National Team - Northwind USA National Team - Revolution Denmark National Team - Vikings South African National Team - Buffaloes New Zealand National Team - Falcons Great Britain National Team - Bulldogs Indonesian National Team - Bintangs (Stars) Spanish National Team - Bulls Japan National Team - Samurai Rugby Union All Blacks - The international rugby union team of New Zealand Baa-Baas - Barbarian F.C. Les Bleus - France national team 'Ikale Tahi (Sea Eagles) - Tonga national team Leicester Tigers - Leicester Rugby Football Club Lelos - Georgia national team Los Pumas - Argentina national team Springboks, Bokke or Amabokoboko - South African national rugby union team The Tahs - Used affectionately by fans of the NSW rugby union team the Waratahs Wallabies - The Australian national rugby union team Baseball Arizona Diamondbacks - D-backs Atlanta Braves - Bravos, America's Team Baltimore Orioles - O's, Birds Boston Red Sox- BoSox; "Da Sox"; Carmines; New England Nine; Olde Towne Team; Red Sux (by haters), Red Cubs Chicago Cubs - Cubbies; Loveable Losers; Scrubs; Dubs; Northsiders; Build-a-Bears (by haters). Chicago White Sox - ChiSox; Pale Hose; Southsiders; Black Sox (after losing the 1919 World Series); White Sux (by haters), Sox Suxs (by haters who think "White Sux" is offensive). Cincinnati Reds - Redlegs; nicknamed "The Big Red Machine" during the team's run in the 1970's, when they won the division 6 times and appeared in the World Series 4 times Cleveland Indians - The Tribe, Chief Wahoo's Tribe, The Wahoo's Detroit Tigers - The Motor City Kitties Florida Marlins - Fish; Fighting Fish; The Men of Teal Houston Astros - 'Stros, Asstros (by haters). Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim - Halos; Seraphs Los Angeles Dodgers - Bums, the Boys of Summer (both from their Brooklyn days; usage in L.A. has faded with time) Milwaukee Brewers - Brew Crew; Brew-has; Proffessional Alcoholics (by haters); Beermakers Minnesota Twins - Twinkies New York Mets - nicknamed "The Loveable Losers" when they first started playing, the Kings of Queens; The Amazin' Mets, The Amazins, "Miracle Mets" (during their run in the 1969 season. They eventualy won the World Series), Mutts (by haters), Pond Scum (by haters) New York Yankees - The Bronx Bombers; The Pinstripes; Yanks; Dream Dashers; Evil Empire (coined by Red Sox executive Larry Lucchino); Dynasty of Discrace ( by haters); The Enemy (by Red Sox Fans); Damned Yankees Oakland Athletics - A's; F's (by haters, in reference to grades in school) Pittsburgh Pirates - Bucs; Buc-o's Philadelphia Phillies - (Fightin') Phils; Phightins; Sillies; Pillies (given when some players were involved in an amphetamine scandal in the early 1980's); Quakers and Blue Jays (alternate nicknames used early in the team's history); Whiz Kids (for the 1950 National League Championship team, for their youth); Wheeze Kids (for the 1983 National League Championship team, for their lack of youth St. Louis Cardinals - Cards; Redbirds; Birds San Diego Padres - Pods; Friars; Fathers San Francisco Giants - Jints (rhymes with "pints"); gigantes (Gee-gant-As) which is Spanish for Giant Seattle Mariners - M's Tampa Bay Devil Rays - D-rays; Rays Toronto Blue Jays - Jays (The team has emphized this name rather than "Blue Jays") Washington Nationals- Nats; The Anchors NBA Basketball Wolves, T-Wolves, T-bots, T-pups - Minnesota Timberwolves Knickerbockers - New York Knicks Blazers- Portland Trailblazers Mavs - Dallas Mavericks Sixers - Philadelphia 76ers Sonics, or Supe's, or Hedgehogs - Seattle SuperSonics Raps or Craptors or Zoo Crew (for the bench) (by detracters) - Toronto Raptors Cavs - Cleveland Cavaliers The Celts - Boston Celtics The Stones - Detroit Pistons Da Bulls - Chicago Bulls International Basketball Gli Azzurri - Italy national team Les Bleus - France national team Boomers - Australian national team Tall Blacks - New Zealand national team Cricket Main article: List of nicknames used in cricket American Football Atlanta Falcons - The Dirty Birds Carolina Panthers - Cardiac Cats (Due to winning/losing many games in the closing seconds during the 2003 season) Chicago Bears - Da Bears; Monsters of the Midway, Build-a-Bears (by haters) Cleveland Browns - Dawgs (from the Dawg Pound, a famously rowdy bleacher section of the team's former home, Cleveland Stadium, since transferred to today's Cleveland Browns Stadium), The Brownies, The Turds (by haters), The Cardiac Kids Cincinnati Bengals - The Bungles (applied when the team plays poorly) Dallas Cowboys - America's Team, Cowgirls (when playing poorly and haters), Cryboys (by haters) Denver Broncos - Orange Crush, Donkeys (by haters) Green Bay Packers - The Pack, The Peckers (by haters), Fudgepackers (by haters), Pack-queers (by haters) Houston Texans - Procrastinators (when playing poorly) Indianapolis Colts - The Blue Crew, The Herd, The Dolts (by haters) Jacksonville Jaguars - Jags Kansas City Chiefs - The Chefs (in honor of a Snickers ad in which the grounds crew paints Chefs in the end zone) Miami Dolphins - Fins, The Fish, The Aquatic Mammals Minnesota Vikings - Vikes, Vi-queens (when playing poorly) New England Patriots - Pats, The Patsies, Patty Cakes New Orleans Saints - Ain'ts (when playing poorly), Sinners (also when playing poorly), The San Antonio Saints (it was rumoured they might move to San Antonio) New York Jets - J.E.T.S. (Just End The Season) used when playing poorly, Jersey/B New York Giants - G-Men, Jints, Big Blue, Big Blue Wrecking Crew, New York Football Giants (Made Popular by Chris Berman), Jersey/A, New Jersey Giants (due to the large fanbase in Northern New Jersey), Madagascar's crew. Oakland Raiders - The Silver and Black, Da Raidahs, The Faders Philadelphia Eagles- Birds, Iggles (many Philadelphians pronounce the team's name this way), Pigeons (by haters), Beagles (by haters and when playing poorly) Pittsburgh Steelers - The Steel Curtain (in their glory years of the 1970s, has been resurrected due to their recent success), The Black and Gold, The Stillers, Shitsburgh (by haters, also applies to every sports team in Pittsburgh) St. Louis Rams - The Blue and Gold, Rammers, Male Sheep, Lambs, Goats (when playing poorly) San Diego Chargers - Bolts (from the lightning bolt design on their helmets), SuperChargers San Francisco 49ers - 'Niners, The Whiners, Faggy-Niners (by haters, in reference to San Francisco's gay friendly reputation and the high concentration of homosexual fans) Seattle Seahawks - Hawks, Seachickens (by haters). Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Bucs Tennessee Titans - The Thumbtacks, The Flaming Thumbtacks, The Oilers (Their team name in Houston) Washington Redskins - 'Skins, The Chesapeake Watershed Region Indigenous Persons, The Potomac Drainage Basin Indigenous Persons, DeadSkins (by haters) Canadian Football Calgary Stampeders - Stamps Edmonton Eskimos - Esks Hamilton Tiger-Cats - Ti-Cats Montreal Alouettes - Als Saskatchewan Roughriders - Riders Toronto Argonauts - Argos; Boatmen (team was founded by the Toronto Argonaut Rowing Club in 1873) Winnipeg Blue Bombers - Bombers Hockey (Ice) Anaheim Ducks - Ducks Carolina Hurricanes - Canes Chicago Blackhawks - Hawks Colorado Avalanche- Avs Detroit Red Wings - Wings, Hot Wings Edmonton Oilers - Billy's Boys (after William "Wild Bill" Hunter, founder of the World Hockey Association and the team's predecessor, the Alberta Oilers Florida Panthers - the Cats Hartford Whalers - the Whale Montreal Canadiens - Habs (short for "Habitant", or Québecois farmer) or Crabs or les Crabs (by the haters); Flying Frenchmen; Les Rouges (after the red colour of their jerseys); Le Bleu, Blanc, Rouge (the three colours of the logo); Le Tricolore; La Sainte Flanelle Nashville Predators - Preds New York Islanders - Isles New York Rangers - the Blueshirts or Broadway Blueshirts, Lay Ran-jay (French pronunciation of Rangers often used by Steve Somers of WFAN) Ottawa Senators - Sens Philadelphia Flyers - nicknamed the "Broad Street Bullies" during the team's Stanley Cup runs during the 1970's (the Spectrum, the arena where the Flyers then played, is on Broad Street in South Philadelphia); The Fly Boys Pittsburgh Penguins - Pens St Louis Blues - Blue notes (re-pluralize the singular Blue note used for one player) Tampa Bay Lightning - the Bolts Toronto Maple Leafs - Leafs, Blue Leafers, the Buds (nickname bestowed by sportswriters, probably based on the team's use of a leaf as a logo), Maple Lafs (by the haters) Vancouver Canucks - 'Nucks Washington Capitals - Caps, Crapitals (by haters) Winnipeg Jets - Jets (nicknamed the Jets after aqcuiring Bobby Hull "The Golden Jet" as a part of the World Hockey Association) Tre Kronor (Three Crowns) - Swedish national team, after the three crowns in their jersey, from the coat of arms of Sweden. Leijonat (Lions) - Finnish national team, after the lion in their jersey, which is from the coat of arms of Finland. Also Leijonapaidat (Lion Shirts) and Kiekkoleijonat (Hockey Lions) Sports stadia and their nicknames Australia Melbourne Cricket Ground - the 'G Woolongabba Cricket Ground - the Gabba Subiaco Oval - Subi' Telstra Dome (Melbourne) - The Dome Skilled Stadium - The Cattery Olympic Park, Melbourne - The Graveyard Waverley Park - Arctic Park South America Boca Juniors Stadium - La Bombonera (The Chocolate Box) River Plate Stadium - El Monumental Britain Wembley Stadium - The Twin Towers (now extinct due to stadium redevelopment) Old Trafford - The Theatre Of Dreams United States Chase Field (formerly known as Bank One Ballpark) - The BOB Fenway Park - The Fens HP Pavilion - The Shark Tank, The Tank Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome - Thunderdome, Homerdome Oriole Park at Camden Yards - The Yard, Oriole Park, Camden Yards Tropicana Field - The Trop, The Juicer U.S. Cellular Field - The Cell Wachovia Center - (when known as the First Union Center) F.U. Center Wrigley Field - The Friendly Confines Yankee Stadium - The House that Ruth Built Dodger Stadium - Chavez Ravine Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum- The Grand Old Lady Angel Stadium of Anaheim - The Big A, The Big Ed (when Edison International Field) Turner Field - The Ted Legion Field - Old Gray Lady Jacobs Field - The Jake Kauffman Stadium - The K Quicken Loans Arena - The Q Xcel Energy Center - The X Madison Square Garden - The World's Most Famous Arena Paul Brown Stadium - The Jungle Ohio Stadium - The Horseshoe TD Banknorth Garden - The Gahden (local pronunciation) Qualcomm Stadium - The Q Michigan Stadium - The Big House Notre Dame Stadium - The House That Rockne Built Minute Maid Park - The Juice Box See also Athletic nickname Australian national sports team nicknames Epithet Pseudonym Sobriquet Victory titles "-Zza" nicknames List of ethnic slurs List of athletes by nickname List of baseball nicknames List of entertainers by nickname List of hockey nicknames List of monarchs by nickname List of nicknames of historical personages List of nicknames used by George W. Bush List of nicknames used in cricket List of U.S. Presidential nicknames List of country nicknames Legal name External links Nicknames for everything that you can add to! Nicknames, Pet Names and Metaphors Search Term: "Nickname" Categories: Given names | Pseudonyms