Nicknames in : Bynames as proto-surnames

A nickname is a name that spreads by use rather than by a registrar. That makes it light on law and heavy on politics. Some nicknames are gifts (a short form you love). Some are weapons (a school taunt). Some become the only name a workplace knows. This page treats nicknames as social technology: how they form, when they should be retired, and why they still are not destiny.

Usually not. It can become one through use plus a later petition, but the default is informal. Phonetic shortening, affection, disambiguation (three Sams), and sometimes cruelty. Socially yes; enforcement is the hard part. Workplaces increasingly treat chosen short names as a courtesy rule.

Are Korean and Japanese honorifics nicknames? No. -ssi, -nim, -san are grammatical politeness. Pet names sit beside them. Sometimes a short form is filed as the legal given name (Harry, Bess). Official lists mix legal strings, not playground talk. It is the forced use of a rejected name — often the old legal given name, sometimes an old nickname. The ethics are about consent.