Expert: Kevin Johnson - 7/10/2009

Question
How do you make a name-based nickname (like Caitlyn => Katie or Andrew => Andy) in German?  I've been looking for a formula because I need to apply it to a non-German name.  -_-  Thank you~

Answer
Hello Miranda,

I do not think there is a "formula" to creating name-based nicknames in German. It depends on the name itself. Perhaps if you told me the name you are trying to modify, I could give you my intuition.

An non-general "formula" could be: Use a short form of the name and add an -i
Stefanie -> Steffi

But this is not generally applicable.

A few examples of different name-based nicknames:
Christian -> Chris, Kris, Krissi, Kricki
Andreas (Andrew) -> Andi
Dietrich, Dieter -> Didi
Matthias (Matthew) -> Matthi, Matze
Friedrich (Frederick) -> Fritz (possible diminuitive: Fritzchen)
Hans -> Hansi (possible diminuitive: Hänschen, pronounced HENCE-ken, not HEN-shen!)
Maximilian -> Max (possible diminuitive: Mäxchen)

The diminuitive -chen is only used for some names, and it is outdated and not used in everyday conversations, just in jokes and sayings, e.g "Was Hänschen nicht lernt, lernt Hans nimmermehr" - What little Hans doesn't learn, the older Hans will never learn, i.e. you can't teach old dogs new tricks)

Matilde -> Tilli
Hildegard -> Hilde
Julia -> Jule
Nicole -> Nicki
Nadja -> Naddel
Liselotte -> Lilo
Beatrix (Beatrice) -> Bea, Trixi

The last example highlights another trend I can make out: If the given name is a popular double name, then the nickname will be the combination of the first syllables or lettter pairs:
Lise-Lotte -> Lilo
Hans-Peter -> Hape
Hans-Otto -> Hanno
Hans-Joachim -> Hajo

I hope I could help you a bit.

Peace,
 Kevin