Nicknames- what's the story?

[Pastorus]

I like pizza.

Pizza, I like it! But, if we all were named by our likes, my name would be Nancy.

My pastor friends invited me on a retreat. As much as I wanted to go camping, I declined at first because I didn't "fit in". They took care of that with an unsanctioned ordination. I like the name because it sounds kinda dinasaurish.

[Pastorus]

I got my name because i have a Translucent green Custom Les paul...
so alot of ppl in the music scene in my area know me for my green les paul


here is a pic
this is my old studio setup

After a gig an older guy came up on stage and complimented my friend's guitar skills. My friend said "It sounds like you (also) play." The older guy said "Yeah a bit. You've got my name on your guitar." My friend then said, "Mr. Paul, I am humbled in your presence." You never know just who might be in the audience.

[Poppabear]

I'm a retired Navy Chief. I was brought up in the old navy where a Chiefs first duty was to watch out for his troops. My guys nick named me Poppa Kelly as I was always protective of them and would do my best to get'em out of jams. I was also known to have a quick temper. One mourning while ranting and raving over work that was not done to my satisfaction. One of my guys said aloud to no one in particular. "Man Poppa sure is a Bear this mourning". It stuck and from point on I have been Poppabear.

[Hawk-eye]

... if we all were named by our likes, my name would be Nancy. .....

Think I just found a new favorite quote! That's a "gud'n"

[Doctari]

A few years ago I worked at the local Zoo as the first aid department (All of it), the workers at the zoo started using me as their fill in MD & started calling me "Doc" (which many here still do), as I usually wore clothing, (zoo uniform not counting the hat) including the hat, similar to the main character on the late 60s (66 - 69) TV show Daktari* They slowly started calling me "Daktari".
In 89, my first night on the AT, I told that story, so everyone started calling me Daktari, so in reality, that is my "True" trail name, I just spell in DOCTARI cause I'm mostly weird, & that is how all of the English speaking actors pronounced it, the Swahili actors pronounced it Daktari (long A).




*Per the TV series, "Daktari" is supposedly Swahili for "Healer" or "Doctor" & everything on TV is true! Isn't it? Dr Marsh Tracy (Played by actor Marshall Thompson) was an American vet in Africa. Daktari also treated people from time to time. At the zoo, I often patched up the Vets

Side note: Erin Moran, later "Joanie" on "Happy Days" was in the last season in 69 playing a 7 YO orphan. She was 9 at the time.

[Swingus_Maximus]

I used to swing dance during the 90s, zoot suit and all.

[PapaSmurf]

A young 12 year old Boy Scout just up and started calling me "PapaSmurf" during campouts and Troop meetings. It kinda stuck with the other boys and I just accepted the name.

[G...Hawk]

3D+G my original name on HF was pulled from my profession.
I am a stone sculptor; I carve large public sculpture. 9 tons, 23tons, 32tons in private and public parks and gardens.
People coming by to watch often called me Rocky, Stoney, Chipper and sometimes Michelangelo.

I would say call me 3D+.

My name is Gallina.
When people have difficultly remembering the pronunciation I say "Just call me G".

Used that name when I signed up : 3D+G

Realizing I was hooked on hanging, wanted a name connected to nature.

So ... having a fascination with hawks... If you are hiking with me and see a hawk flying or diving
call out G when I turn to you, point to the hawk and yell Hawk.

Therefore G...Hawk.

Looking forward to getting a 'real' trail name.

[11steve11]

Thanks Earplug94 for starting this thread, it has quickly become my favorite. I enjoy hearing how people come up with their nicknames; I believe it gives insight into who they are or wish to be

I'm right in with timabababaluka when he stated:

Some part of me rebels against the dehumanization of throwing a number at the end of my name

Others have called me "Big Guy" since I was 15 years old, High school, college, NAVY, my wife, various bosses, etc... and I have never told anyone to call me that, they just did. So in everyday situations (trail name) everybody calls me Big Guy, in fact my best friend's 10 year old daughter doesn't know my name is John.
My given name is John Campbell.
When I was first signing up for Ebay 13 years ago all variations of 'Big Guy,' 'John,' and 'Campbell' only had some crazy number tacked on the end.
I was so frustrated that I typed in my cousin's name steve and it kicked back steve11 so I put another 11 in front just to rebel and I have never had it kicked back from any website because 11steve11 was already taken.

[Cookie]

Pretty simple for me...my last name is Cook. I come from a long line of Cookie's, my Grand Dad, my Dad and now my son have all received that nickname. It just seems to start naturaly and then stick.