Behind Peanut, Pumpkin and Pooh-Bear

A couple of years ago, my friend started calling his 3-month-old Matthew “Money” after the Weird Al Yankovic lyric – “I call him ‘Money’ for short.” The name became so engrained in the family’s life that one day when my friend’s wife mentioned planning a party for Matthew, my friend was confused for a moment who Matthew was.

As parents, we all come up with silly little nicknames that bond us to our kids, from the pointless (my husband and I call our 3-year-old by her initials although she already has an insanely short name. Three letters are a mouthful, man!) to the warm and fuzzy (my best friend calls her son Sam, Sam-a-Lam-a-Ding-Dong).

So why do we reach for nicknames after spending nine months choosing the perfect names for our little ones? It’s pretty simple, according to Laura Wattenberg, author of The Baby Name Wizard and the brain behind www.babynamewizard.com. “Baby nicknames are more for the parents than the babies," she said via e-mail. "We're expressing our emotions through the names. Also, a grown-up name like Sebastian or Victoria can be something you have to grow into. If your baby is being giggly or wiggly, a more giggly-wiggly name may fit the moment better. And the babies like that we're making silly sounds with big smiles on our faces!”

I love hearing how people come up with their nicknames, so I asked some friends to share the stories behind their choices.

  • Lori calls her daughter Foofa after Yo Gabba Gabba! since she thinks her newborn resembles the big pink character with her round belly and skinny arms.
  • Kierstin’s 2-year-old Josef has been called Jofus since he was born since her older daughter had trouble pronouncing her little brother’s name.
  • According to Jamie, “We call Avery ‘No-No-Nonsies’ because we are always telling her no and have been since she was mobile. We used to call Riley ‘Toots’ because she was very gaseous.”
  • Nancy calls her daughter, Norah, Chicken, since “When she was a newborn, I would go into her room to get her ... and she would be on her back with her little neck stretched out looking for food ... like a little bird in a nest.”
  • After seeing his sons’ sonogram pictures, Jared started calling his boys Little Peanut and Jelly Bean – names that have stuck around even though they’re now toddlers.

Linda Rosenkrantz, co-author of 10 baby-naming books, including The Baby Name Bible and Beyond Ava and Aiden, and creator of www.nameberry.com, noted by e-mail that many names do start in the womb. “We did a blog on nameberry called 'Pre-natal Nicknames'  and got an amazing response of examples from Peanut to Pie to Poppet to Pooh to BOB for Baby on Board – and often these nicknames would carry over into babyhood and sometimes beyond.  One mom referred to the fetus of her second child as Baby B, and wound up naming her Beatrice, with the nickname Bea.  Unfortunately, soap star Indo Rademacher used Peanut (a common one) not only as a prenatal nickname, but put it on the birth certificate.”

In many cases, most nicknames disappear within a couple of years as a child ages or even within weeks when Junior hits a new milestone. But occasionally, a nickname from the heart that truly fits a child’s personality can accompany her well into adulthood. “I don't think there's any serious downside to sticking with these nicknames within the family, though an 18-year-old bruiser named Bryce might not willingly or readily answer to Bunky,” said Rosenkrantz.

In fact, some recognizable names in Hollywood stem from childhood. Remarked Wattenberg, “Miley Cyrus was named Destiny, but the childhood nickname ‘Smiley Miley’ stayed with her. Similarly, actress Busy Philipps, born Elizabeth, was called ‘Busy Lizzy.’ 99.9 percent of the time, though, baby nicknames just fade away into affectionate memories.”

So, do you have a great story behind your child’s nickname? Or do you still have your own nickname that has stuck with you through the years? I’ll admit mine – it’s Chipmunk. How about you?

By Nicole Plegge, Lifestyle Blogger for SmartParenting

Share This Story

Metro East mom Nicole Plegge has written for STL Parent for more than 12 years. Besides working as a freelance writer & public relations specialist, and raising two daughters and a husband, Nicole's greatest achievements are finding her misplaced car keys each day and managing to leave the house in a stain-free shirt. Her biggest regret is never being accepted to the Eastland School for Girls. Follow Nicole on Twitter @STLWriterinIL 

Our Daily Things to Do email is the easiest way to plan your day.
Follow Us
 
Want daily ideas of things to do? How about special offers & giveaways? Sign up and we’ll handle the rest.
Things to Do

Water Waddlers Indoor Drop-In Swim

Stop in and have some fun in the indoor pool at the Lodge of Des Peres with your little one at this drop-in swim time for kids up to age 6. No pre-registration is needed; Water Waddlers is open to residents and non-residents of Des Peres.

View this event »
Spring Training Sea Lion Shows at the Saint Louis Zoo

See the amazing sea lions at the Saint Louis Zoo perform for the crowd and cheer them on from the bleachers as the popular Sea Lion Spring Training Shows return. You'll see these beautiful animals perform flipper walks, ball balancing, Olympic-style dives on a high-diving platform, lots of splashing and even more surprises! 

View this event »
Daytime Playtime at Olympia Gymnastics

Daytime Playtime is an open gym for children ages 2-5 where the possibilities for fun and learning (through fun) are endless! Children will participate in activities that build coordination, strength, balance and self-confidence. They'll develop stronger motor skills, social skills, and take part in theme-based creative activities.

 

View this event »
Books for Babies

This special story is geared to little ones ages 6 months to 2 years with a parent or caregiver. In addition to stories, there will be lap bounces, songs, rhymes and more!

 

View this event »
You Might Also Like...

From Our Sponsors
Popular Stories

COCA Ignites Creativity and Sparks Fun for Kids of All Ages, All Summer Long

Stroll along the Walk of Fame in the Delmar Loop, and you’ll spot the playwrights, actors, and artists who got their start in St. Louis, from Tennessee Williams and Katherine Dunham, to Tina Turner and John Goodman. Just a few steps away and around the corner, a new generation of Gateway City superstars will discover their love for the visual and performing arts this summer.

Continue reading »
Farmer's Market Make Great Family Outings! Here is Your 2024 Guide to Farmers Market Across the St. Louis Area

A trip to the farmer’s market is a fun outing for the entire family – and it can be educational too. Make plans to visit one (or several) of these top St. Louis farmers’ markets this spring and summer, so that you and your kids can learn more about where your food comes from and indulge in some of the freshest, seasonal produce the St. Louis region has to offer. Plus, many of these markets offer activities just for kids, feature food trucks, welcome dogs, and more.    

Continue reading »
Life Lessons Learned at Overnight Camp

With the perfect blend of adventure and responsibility, camp life teaches kids valuable lessons they can use for the rest of their lives. If you send your child to overnight camp, here are some life lessons they are likely to learn.

Continue reading »
Spring Break Camps Offer a Variety of Activities for Kids and Teens in St. Louis

Excitement is building for summer and the wide variety of summer camp experiences available for kids in the St. Louis metro area. But first! Spring break is around the corner, and there are plenty of Spring Break camps now enrolling. 

Continue reading »
10 Reasons Your Teen Might Love to be a Camp Counselor

Day or sleepaway summer camp is the perfect place for teens to transition to the world of the employed. The paycheck is nice, but being a summer camp counselor has other rewards, too.

Continue reading »
Follow Us