I have always been intrigued by names –the informal pet names, the formal real names, and everything in between.
Growing up in Punjab in the 1960s and 70s, I knew many girls in my circle of friends and acquaintances affectionately called Babli, Guddi, Pinki, Sweety and Lovely. Many boys had pet names such as Happy, Kaka, Pappu, Bittu and Titu. Most of them are senior citizens now, but some are still known by their pet names. ‘Baby’ stopped being a little girl half a century ago; from Baby Auntie she became a granny, yet she is still ‘Baby’. The interesting thing about pet names is that kids grow up, but their nicknames refuse to go away, sticking steadfastly forever, sometimes to the embarrassment of the bearer. The late veteran actor Rishi Kapoor often lamented that in his youth he was not taken seriously on the film sets as everyone called him by his pet name, Chintu.
No less interesting are proper names, especially the unisex ones like Harvinder, Surinder , Surjeet, Baljeet, which are common in Punjab. Of course, officially, the boys have the suffix ‘Singh’ and girls ‘Kaur’, but normally they are addressed by their first name. I remember multiple Narinders and Manjits in my class – both boys and girls -which often led to hilarious situations. When the teacher called out ‘Narinder’, all three would stand up, exchanging glances with one another. To this day, confusion remains as there are three Narinders and two Manjits in our class WhatsApp group. Here is an interesting bit of information: cricketer- turned- politician Navjot Singh Sidhu, who has juggled many hats, is married to a Navjot.
Equally fascinating are South Indian names, which are like a complete identity card, revealing one’s clan, native place and father’s name (usually denoted by abbreviations), followed by the person’s own name. Perhaps the most remarkable, however, are Parsi surnames like Palkiwala, Daruwala, Bandookwala, Mistry, and Batliwala, all based on the trades of their ancestors.
Returning to the popular names of my school days, most girls’ names had a middle name such as Kumari, Rani, or Lata. However, by the time we reached high school, many girls discarded these outdated middle names in favour of shorter, trendier names. Savita Kumari did away with the superfluous ‘Kumari’; Priya Lata dropped ‘Lata’; Sarita Rani became simply Sarita. While girls refused to carry the baggage of these middle names, many boys also eliminated ‘Kumar’ and ‘Jeet’ from theirs. Ironically, by the time they hit their middle age, some restored their middle name to make them sound weightier and more dignified.
Earlier, the elders might have been casual in giving all sorts of nick-names and names to their children, but the millennium parents dig into dictionaries, surf the internet for selecting unique and exotic baby names.
However’ an uncanny characteristic of names is their tendency to become common. By the time a child reaches kindergarten, chances are there are half a dozen tiny tots with the same or similar names in their class. These supposedly exclusive names get phased out and replaced by another set of ‘new’ names within a few years. In fact, in every generation, there are certain popular, rather trending names that change like fashion.
Ultimately, whether unique or widely popular, names continue to be a fascinating reflection of their times and also a sign of our cultural diversity.
(Published in January 2026 issue of Woman’s era)
Rama, it’s hilarious and interesting too. But with my predominant witty and mischievous nature and connected activities in studies and more so in cricket I was school nicknamed as ” Nari” to string me away from other serious Narinders. This continued till University but Army added another spice to my name and I was more often call “Suzi” a sweet appearing shortened Surname ” Sujlana “. Now if anyone calls me by my original name and surname, I feel that that person is only known to me formally. What all funny names Shameera to address me if revealed will rag me down to shreds.
Coming from you , the comment ought to be having a twist in the tale , nay name . How could you be bracketed with other Narinders ? You have carved a special identity for yourself – NARI .
And of course, Shameera being your better half ought to have the exclusive right to cal you by any name.
True, Nari. Calling someone with his nickname is a form of endearment
Yes , Atul you are right . However, sometimes , it is annoying when you feel you are not being given due regard when addressed by your silly nickname .
Dear Rama I have read your very interesting article about Names and Nicknames!!I sometimes wonder how come you pickup such routine matter and convert it into outstanding article!!This speaks volumes about your communication skills and extraordinary writing talent!!Proud of you dear!!Keep Writing and Keep Rocccking 👏👏👏👏👏🥰🥰
Thank you so much Neelam dear for reassuring me .. Sometimes, I, too, wonder if my articles carry any meaning.. I pick up just a random thought , no message, hardly any wisdom
Yet dear you appreciate so generously .. You are the real gem 💎.
🤗🥰
Full entertainment with episodes from our own class thrown in! Keep it up, Rama
Thanks Atul . Glad you found the piece entertaining.
So well written Rama and equally meaningful though it may sound simple. We have had these experiences in our day to day life. Remarkable expression!!
Thanks Sukhi dear for your encouraging comment. Means a lot to me .
Ma’am,this time I was anxiously waiting for your next article.
I am surprised that you pick up simple topic related to nicknames and wrote such an interesting and wonderful article. I never thought an article could be written on nicknames.You have God gifted talent in writing .
Ma’am, please keep on writing by making common topics so extraordinary.
Your words sound music to my ears . Stay blessed always dear Garima .
Beautifully articulated Rama, as only you could have done it. Such a lovely hilarious and enjoyable article about names. My grandkids have a Baby Dadi and a Baby bua Nani. It all is so interesting. Hats off to you for picking up such mundane topics and making them so interesting. God bless you. More power to your pen.
Thanks a ton Alka for your generous compliments. You really have a large heart full of appreciation for others.
Rama dear , you have proved Shakespeare wrong ” what is there in a name ” …..not talking about the philosophy behind the full statement.
The twist is that names whether pet or real play a very important part in everyone’s life…
As ever before you have transformed the ordinary into a hilarious and enjoyable write up with your magical touch.Keep regaling us ….God bless 🙏
You always stump me with you for pithy comment.. don’t know how to respond. All I can say is a big THANK YOU.
Ever grateful for your implicit love in your words that motivate me .
रमा तुम्हारा लेख पढा। विषय चयन बहुत बढ़िया, लेखन कला लाजवाब और एक साधारण से विषय को इतने रोचक ढंग से प्रस्तुत करने का सलीका अपने आप में अप्रतिम है। ऐसा रमा की कलम से ही संभव है। भाषा पर बेजोड़ अधिकार और शब्दों का धनी ही ऐसा कर सकता है। यह सुंदर प्रयास जारी रख हमें गर्वित करती रहो।
Uma, Mein nishabd hun. Sadiyon baad itni sunder hindi parh kar mantramugdh ho gayi . Samjh nahin paa rahi ki kaise prashansa karun aur kaise tumhara dhnyawaad karun .❤️❤️
Very interesting read !
In one of the movies there was ultimate dialogue by the hero saying “Naam mey Kya rakha hai “. Your article explains Naam may bahoot kuch rakha hai !
Very entertaining article dear Rama. Keep it up !
Now one knows friends kyun zaroori hote hain . They appreciate you , motivate you .Feeling blessed. Thanks Vini for being a huge morale booster.
Rma again you hitted score 6…
As far reflecting over uncanny element in names n their history…
Loved to read babli. Pinky. N sweety names far we three sisters own these.
In reunion of cousins.. Class fellows.. Colleagues.. May be of 60 years or 70 years oldies…. When a nick is used it directly reaches soul n accounts for long union…
Yes very right we play with our names twisting them n making short but face havoc as i had tuff day renewing visa for names did not match as appeared in Adhar Cards with original ones. . .
They trace history.. Like Arjun.. Karn of Mahabharta…. Deep meaning to Munna Bhai… As led convenience..
Interesting to read South Indians as they carry full buggage..
Loved to read your diagnose about Names.. First important indentity symbol…
Be blessed always.. ♥
Thanks di for reading and sharing your candid thoughts on the article.
Delighted to know that you sisters had most popular nicknames of our times – Babli, Pinki and Sweeti. In fact , my pet name was also Pinki , though now no one calls me Pinki now . I chose Rama as my proper name in my childhood itself.😉
I do understand it is endearing , apnapan when one is addressed by one’s pet name .
Yes , in simpler times we could change name in the record . However, in this digital era , it is fraught with danger. Too much of hassle, almost impossible to.