Britain's 10 most common nicknames revealed as food-inspired titles top the list
People can be given nicknames for a wide variety of reasons, whether it be a take on your original monikor, or for something you're known for.
New research has revealed that over half of Brits, 52 percent, have a nickname, with food taking the crown as the most popular source of inspiration.
Among the top 20 most common nicknames are quirky food-related ones like ‘Bean’ and ‘Egg.’
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But the list doesn’t stop there. Brits are also known to go by creative titles like ‘Sausage’ and even ‘Hovis.’
The UK’s top 10 most common nicknames
Bean
Cookie
Egg
Jamo
Lala
Ma
Remo
Sar
Smurf
Tig
Research by name label manufacturer mynametags.com reveals that school is the birthplace of most British nicknames, with 51 percent of people acquiring their lifelong moniker by the time they finish their GCSEs.
Interestingly, some people take matters into their own hands as nine percent of Brits admit to giving themselves a nickname.
But while nicknames are a common part of life, they aren’t always welcomed by everyone. More than half of people, or 52 percent, say they’re only comfortable with certain individuals using their nickname, and almost 10 percent think nicknames can be insulting in certain situations.
This sentiment is especially strong in the workplace, with 46 percent of respondents deeming nicknames a big no-no in professional settings.
"Our research highlights the UK’s fondness for nicknames," says Lars B Andersen, Managing Director at mynametags.com. "Over half of Brits have one and they often stem all the way back to our childhood.
"As a nation of foodies, it seems our love affair extends beyond eating with nicknames like 'bean,' 'cookie,' and 'egg' widely used as terms of endearment, often from a young age.”
Looking for more name inspiration? Why not check out the most popular baby names of 2024.
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