Different Types of Nicknames

Sparkler 0SHNO0 wrote this post about nicknames, and for once we're not talking about SparkNotes nicknames, but the ones you get out there in in the cold, cruel real world. Enjoy! —SparkNotes editors

Most people think a nickname is just something your friends call you instead of your real name, but nooo; a nickname is also a window to your soul. It tells people who you are. Sometimes that's a good thing, and other times, not so much. The following is a list of the different types of nicknames:

1. The Friend-Appointed

This is one of the most common types. The first time you met your friend, h/she mispronounced your name. Or maybe this friend was making fun of you with a mean nickname, and then you became friends, and the name stuck. Either way, you are fine with being called this (except at school, in front of people you are trying to impress).

2. The Bully-Appointed

These names hurt. You probably have one of these if your name rhymes with "dumb," "barf," any word you weren't allowed to say as a young child, or anything that could be thought of negatively. Only about 10% of the people who have these nicknames know about them. Consequently, most teachers have multiple nicknames of this type and have no idea.

3. The Teacher-Appointed

These are just plain embarrassing. Maybe your parents knew your teacher from college, and he/she has known you since you were a baby. Or on the first day of school, he/she mispronounced your name or added a random "y" to the end of it, and it just stuck. Or, and this is rare, mind you, your teacher really doesn't like you, and knows the nickname embarrasses you, and uses it for that reason.

4. The Self-Appointed

You don't want to admit it, but you gave yourself this name. No one really calls you it, because, well, because you gave it to yourself. Maybe you were jealous of someone else, whose real name you don't even know because he/she has such an awesome and well-known nickname. Or maybe you need it to conceal your identity as a superhero. The world may never know.

Do you have a nickname? What category does it fall into?

Related Post: What Your SparkNotes Nickname Says About You