Medieval nicknames, pet names and use names

Pet forms of names and their development

To the modern mind, diminutives of someone’s name either involve a short form or a suffix like –ette for a girl.  However the history of diminutives is long and complex, and though shortening of a name was used, the form chosen was not always obvious to the modern eye.  Also, diminutive endings were used for boys and girls both, and might be applied to short forms. 

The diminutive suffices were –el, -ot [sometimes but not always –ota for females] and –in.  The addition of –kin, which we still recognise as a diminutive today, was also sometimes used; for example Lovekin.

The medieval mind did not necessarily feel that the addition of one diminutive suffix was sufficient.  Take the name Lance; it takes a double diminutive to make it Lancelot, not the sort of figure we would think of as one who is essentially Lance-dear-sweetie.  Then there are those names which are shortened and a diminutive applied; the name Isabel became Ibb, which then became Ibbot.  Or Ibelot with a double diminutive.  The reason for the large number of diminutives was probably because most peasants were pretty unimaginative and [with the high rate of child mortality] used the same name over and over again, and in the unlikely event of them all surviving needed some way to differentiate between several Johns and Isobels.

The Norman insistence on record keeping also led to the use of Latin endings, mostly giving rise to new female names.  Although Julian, generally pronounced Gillian, was happy not to take any account of being Juliana for several centuries, Sybil moved towards being Sibilla quite quickly. Old names were Latinised, and Hildgyth became Hilda. Fanciful names from Latin sources sprang up, like Diamanda and Argentina and Presciosa, all short-lived. 

And of course a girl christened Maria by the priest might go through her entire life having no idea of this, being Meriet, or Pol, Mally, Marcella or one of a number of pet names for Mary translated by the village priest solemnly as Maria.  It is the custom of many Hispanic families to christen every girl Maria and use a second name by which to call her; but it was entirely possible for every girl in a medieval English family to be officially named Maria and to be known each one by an individual name.

I have done this with a family in one of my Renaissance mystery stories…..

I would say that the main reason for the rise of some pet names is probably vocal laziness.  People have a tendency always to want to shorten names, for their own convenience.  I would postulate that the form of the shortening of names may be driven by baby tongues trying to say their own name and falling over themselves; consider Queen Elizabeth II’s use of the name ‘Lilabet’ for herself when she was small, dealing with the uncomfortable hard sound of ‘z’ by making it ‘l’ and losing –th for –t at the end.  Equally ‘r’ is a difficult sound to say [and the Norman French found it particularly so] and becomes more conveniently ‘l’.  Hence, Sarah, or Sarra as it was usually transcribed became ‘Sally’.  Mary became ‘Mally’ and then ‘Molly’.   I have no idea why ‘m’ sometimes became ‘p’  to give us ‘Poll’ and ‘Pegg’ from Molly and Megg [Mary and Margaret].   However, if speaking in a rather nasal way, ‘m’ tends to a ‘b’ or ‘p’ -like sound so maybe it arose from a preponderance of head colds in poorly heated houses.

I postulate that Margaret merely lost its ‘r’  to become Mag etc, since ‘Malgaret’ would be hard to say.

The Normans also had some difficulty distinguishing ‘W’ from ‘G’ which led to some names being written down as they were said as one or the other or both – Walter, Galter and Gwalter are all the same name.  This often persisted in pet forms.   That the medieval mind also found it quite logical to start a pet form with an entirely different letter is less easy to understand, hence Robert became Hobb or Dobb as much as Rob.  There was probably an obscure reason. However, as ‘Robin Goodfellow’ was a synonym for a supernatural sprite of faerykind  this has led to additions to the language like ‘hobgoblin’.  Dobb fell out of use when it became common enough that ‘Dobbin’ was a horse in the same way that Tibb for Tybalt fell out of use when it became over-used for ‘Tibbles’ the cat.

There is a tendency to add excrescent H- to the beginning of names and excrescent –t or –d to the end.  The first is a matter of aspirants and may be demonstrated in the usually exaggerated Cockney accents delivered by writers where comic and low characters drop their ‘h’ and add an excrescent ‘h’ to words beginning in a vowel.  This is a matter of contention too between English English and American English as no self-respecting American would pronounce the ‘h’ on ‘herbs’ and no self-respecting English person would consider dropping it.  The second may carry on from the confusion of d, ð or þ, where an aspirated –th sound disappears, but this does not explain all cases.  I postulate that it is in the way people spoke.  In East Anglia, in the dialect written, incidentally, by Chaucer as his native tongue, there is a tendency to add excrescent –d to words.  I got in trouble at school myself for innocently writing about my dressing-gownd.  East Anglia was in the Medieval period the most populous part of the country.  It seems reasonable to suppose that its dialect carries some fossilised speech of the past.

That A and E are interchangeable as opening vowels can be seen immediately to spring from the Saxon dipthong æ, and needs no further explanation. Au to O is merely a matter of translating the original Latin name which would have involved a syllable derived from Aurum, gold, into what it sounded like.  And it must be remembered that the form of the name I give first would have been the most common form at the time, not necessarily the name from which it developed.  Mathilda and Maud [pronounced ‘Mow’d, like a kitten mew] came from Mechtildis, a Frankish name, which form disappeared.  However some original forms gave rise to pet forms of their own before they disappeared; Eleni, the original Greek from which the name Helen became the more normal form, gave variants like Ellen after the addition of excrescent H- became set as the main name. 

Some of the pet names have since become names in their own right, some – notably those of the most common names – have stayed as pet names, some have an existence of both. And some, such as Gilota, a pet name of Egidia, became absorbed into Gillian, once a pet name of Julian[a] and subsequently so common that a girl was a jill, and was likely to jilt her man. 

Here find tables showing the variant forms and pet names of the names that attracted most, which is as good a way as any to see which were popular at least for long enough to acquire a sufficiency of pet forms.

Pet names and variants of female names across the Medieval period

Agatha, Agace, Agate, Agett	Emme Em(ma), Emmet, Emmot(a), Emelot(a), Amelot(a), Imme, Emblem Emeline, Emelina, Ameline, Amelyn, Minna, Minota,Imma,Edelina,Emlyn Emerentiana, Emerence	Margaret/Marjorie Magge, Magot(a), Marguerite, Madge, Margery, Margat, Merg(r)et, Meriet, Mogg(e) Pogg, Pegge, Mogot, Magat, Grete, Greta
Agnes,),Annis,Anice,Anes
Ann(e) Annot, Annett, Anney, An(n)ora	Eve/Avelina Eva, Evot(a), Evet(te), Evelot, Evelune, Evelin(g), Ivet(ta), Iva, Ava, Avelina, Aveling	Mary Molle, Malle, Malot(a) Mariot(a), Mary-Ann, Malyn, Malina, Marian, Marykin, Meryet, Maryatt, Mol(et), Marina, Marcella, Maura, Miriam, Poll, Polkin
Ailith, Ailed(a), Alet, Aleda, Alith, Adelid, Ailet, Aliet	Everild(a), Avery,  Averyl, Aveline,Avelina, Averilet(a), Avel, Avenels
Avis Avice, Avina, Avicia, Avizia, Aveza,Havoise	Floriane Flora, Flur, Fleur, Floria, Florencia, Florentia, Florence	Melicent Melisende, Melisendra,Melusina, Milcentia, Millicent, Melisentia, Milisendis
Alice/Alison, Alys, Alise, Alicia, Alisen,Alysone,Alisounne,Helisent, Elison (scots) Elisind, Helysoune, Adeline, Adelina, Adeleide, Adeliz, Alesia, Aelizia, Alot(a), Elisota	Isabel Isabella, Ysabella, Bel(e) Isabeau, Ilsabeth, Ibb(et) (Ishbel, Isla: scots) Libbe(t), Bella, Bel(ot), Belet, Belissendis, Ibbot(a) Ebbot, Ebota, Ebete, Bete, Bibb(i), Tibb(y), Bibile, Ibelot	Mat(h)ilde/Maud,Maddy, Tilly*  Mathild, Mactildis, Mechtilda, Mazelina, Mahalt, Mahald, Mahaud, Mald*, Molde(en)*, Mauld, Moude, Motte, Till(ot)
		Oriel, Oriholt, Oriolda, Aurildis Orieldis,Aurelia
Amabel Amable, Mabel Mabilia,Mabilla,Amabilia, Amia, Amabilis,Anilla,Amabilla,Anabella, Amalota,Ameline, Amisia, Mab(b), Mopp(e),Moppet,Mabot(a), Amiel..Amand Amanda[from 1212]   Amy/Amice/Amata	Idony Idonia, Idonea, Ideny, Idone, Yden(e), Idunn, Iduna	Petronille Petronella, Perone(l)le, Peryna, Parnell(e), Pernel Pennel, Purnella
	Iseult Iselda, Iseldis, Ysoude, Isolda, Isouda, Isota*, Isata, Iseut, Ysole, Isset, Isalt	RichildaRikilda,Richeldis, Richenda, Ric(h)olda, Rictrudis
Barbara Barbarel(la), Barbet(a), Babb(el) Barbel, Babbet, Babot(a) Babeth, Barbary, BarbetteBarb(y)	Ismay  Ismenia, Ismaine, Idemay, Ysemay, Ysmeine, Ismayn, Ismaigne, Hismena, Minna, Emonie, Immine	Rose Rosa, Rosalba, Rosamund, Rosalie, Rosan(na)
Beatrice Beatta, Bete, Beton, Bett(e), Bettris(s) Betryse, Betune, Beitiris (scots) Beatrix	Jane Joanna, Johanna, Jehanne, Jean(ne) (Fr, Scots), Joan, Janet, Janeth, Jenyth, Jehane	Sanchia Scientia, Sancha, Sence, Sanche, Sanctia, Science, Sencey
Bridget Bride, Bedelia, Beret, Berget	Jocelyn, Joyce, Josse, Joy, Jocea, Jocosa, Juicea	Sara Sarre, Sare(t), Sarret, Sarrot, Sarra [Sally was later]
Catherine Katharine, Catelin(e), Kate, Kitty Katte, Katin, Catin, Kytte, Catlin, Cat(te), Katerel, Catun, Catell, Catelet	Jacquetta Jaketta, Jakemina, Jaqueline, Jemme, Jemma, Gemma, Jimme, Jacoba, Jacelin	Sidony Sedehanna, Sedania, Sedaina
Cecily Cecely, Cecile, Caecilia, Celia, Sisilla, Siscillia, Sisely, Sisly*, Sicely, Sissel(ot), Siss(ot), Cissot(a)	Julian(e) Juliana, Julitta, Julia, Juliet[late], Jill, Jilian, Jelion, Giliane, Giliana, Gillet, Gilia, Gilota, Gell, Gellion, Geleia, Gellie, Gillota, Jell, Jull, Juetta, Jouet, Jewet, Juhota	Tiffan(y)*Theophania Teffan, Teffaia, Tephania, Theffanie, Tiphina
Clare Claire, Clarel, Clarot, Claret, Claris, Clarice/Claricia, Clarisse, Claritia, Clarissa		Viola Violante, Violete, Violetta,Violaine, Yolande
Denise,Denet, Dionysia,/Denysia	Laura, Lora, Lauretta, Laureola, Laurencia, Loret(t)a, Lauret.
Edith Eaditha, Idith, Ediz, Alduse, Aldusa, Edusa
Eleanor, Ellen(or), Elaine, Elinor, Elyanor, El(l)a, Ala, Elot(a), Eliana, Helen(a), Alienor(a), Ellett, Elena, Heleyne, Eleni [no Nell yet]	Lettice/Laetitia Lece, Lecia, Lecie, Lecelina, Letselina, Lecel, Leceln,Lescelye,Lesellyn, Lett(e)
Elizabeth,, Ellice, Beth(a), Bess(e), Elizabella,Bethel, Lylie, Lilian. [No Betty yet]	Love,Lovie,Lovota, Loveta, Lovejoy Lovekin,Leffeda, Liuete, Loveday

Pet names and variants of male names across the Medieval period

Adam Adnet, Adenot, Adkin, Ade, Add	Henry, Hal, Harry, Herry, Hanne, Hen(kin), Hanekin, Halkin,Hawkin	Paul, Poul,Pole, Pauley ,Paulin, Powlis
Aloysius, Lowis, Lewis, Lewin, Louis	Hilary, Ilarius, Illore, Eularius, Eylarius, Ellery, Hille	Peter, Pierce, Piers, Pers,Pell Perkin,Pirret,Perrin,Perr(el),Pierun Perron,Peterkin,Petri (scots)
Amyas, Amyot, Amand, Amadis (French)	Hugh,Hugo,Huiet,Hughelot,Ugo ,Hugelin,Huelin,Hulin,Hudde Huglin,Hudkin,Hukin,Howe*Hewe Huget,,Hudelin,HuhelHuwet Huchon (Fr)	Philip, Phelp, Philp, Felip, Filkin, Philpot, Phipp, Potkin, Potin
Ancel,Ansel(l),Anselm,Ancelot, Anscelin, Hanselin,Anselin		Ralph, Rafe, Rafael, Raff, Radulf, Raul, Raulin, Raulot
Andrew,Dandy,Tandy,Dancock	James, Jago,Jacob(i),Jacce, Jack(lin), Jagge, Jakot, Jackett, Jackamin,Jex,Jem(me), Gimelot, Jimme, Jaycock, Jakock, Jankin, Jaques, Cob(et), Jakemin	Reginald,Reynold, Reynaud, Reginaud
Anketil,Antel,Anker,Antin,Aske Asketil,Askil,Annakin(Yo), Asti
Arnold, Arnaud, Arnot, Arnel		Richard,Rick,,Rich(ie) Digge,Ricot,Richelot,Rickard, Dicel, Dic(con), Dicet, Dicelin, Diggen, Hick(ot, Hicun, Hickot
Auberon, Aubrey, Oberon, Avery, Avo, Aves, Auvery, Aubert, Albray, Albert	John, Jack, Jankin, Jenkin, Jan(cock), Hank (Flem) Henk(e) (fl) Henkin (fl) Hann,Jonet,Jehan, Janin, Janne, Jenin, Hancock (fl)
		Robert, Rob(in), Robelard, Dobb(in), Hobb(in), Hobelot, Hobelin, Hopkin, Nobb, Nabb, Nabelot, Bobbet
Bartholomew,Bart,Ba(t)te Barty(Scots),Batty,Batkin,Bette Bartelot, Bertelot, Bertelmew	Joscelin/Goscelin,  Josse, Joyce Josset, Gotselin, Gotsone, Jukel, Judoc, Joy, Joshin, Joce, Goss, Got(te), Goslin.Joel Juhel, Jool, Jol, Johol, Joelin, Joylin, jollein	Randolph Randall, Randle, Randulf, Rand(y), Hann, Rann, Ranulf, Rankin, Randekin, Ranel, Rendall
Christopher,Stoffer, Kit*(te), Kester, Kitelin, Christal (Scots		Roger, Hogg* Rodge, Hodge, Dodge, Dogge, Doggin, Hodgekin.
Denis, Dionysus, Den(et), Denzil, Denisel	Lawrence/Laurence, Larry, Lorenz,Larkin, Lorkin, Laret, Lawrie, Lowrie, Low,Laur	Silas/Silvester, Silvanus, Selwyn, Selvayn, Savin, Salvin, Selwin
Egidius, Aegidius, Giles,Gille, Gillard, Gilo, Gisel	Leonard,Leo,Lyel,Leon,Leunot, Leonides, Lionel, Leoline	Simon,Sim(o)nel,Sim(kin), Simond, Simonet, Simcock
Elias, Ellis Elcock, Helle, Eliot,Elwaud(Scots) Elwat, Eluat Eluolt Elkin, Helyas, Hellis, Elyet, Allat, Alard Adalard, Elicoc, Hellcock, Elie	Luke,Lucius, Lucian,Ludovic, Luck Lucas, Luket	Theodore,Theodoric, Terry, Todrick, Torrey, Tyrri, Tedric, Therry, Thierry (Fr) Deryk (flem) Torald, Tory
	Matthew, Mayhew, Makin, Masse, Math(e), Mathy, Matkin, Maton
Geoffrey,Jeppe,Geff,Gepp,Jeeves, Jeff, Jefcock, Jeffkin, Jeffrey	Michael Mihel, Michel Miot, Mighell, Miche, Miell, Miles, Milo	Thomas,Tom(lin) Tomkin, Tomcock, Tam(lin), Tommis
Gerald,  Gerard, Girard, Garard, Garrald, Garrood, Jarrold, Jarrot, Jerald, Greoud, Jared	Nicholas, Colin, Colcock, Cole, Coll, Colkin, Colet, Nicol, Nicolin, Nicks, Nix	Theobald,TibaltTibbald,Tebbet, Tebb(el) Tybaud Tepp, Talbot
Gilbert,Gibb,Gibelin,Gibelot, Gip	Odo, Odelin, Eudo,Otho,Odinel, Othello	Vivian,Vidian,.Fithian, Fidd,Fidkin,Fiddian, Vidgen
Hamo,Hamlet,Hamlin,Hammet, Hamnet,Hamon(d),Haim(o),Hame Hamon,Aymes,Hamekin,,Hawkin	Orlando/Roland, Rollet, Rollin Rowland, Rowlatt, Rollant,Ruel, Rollanz, Rauland	William,Wilmot,Guylote,Will(y), Willet,Wilot,Wilcock,Gilot, Gilmyn