diminutives

[Joca]

Hi:

Here's a short list of some common first names in Portuguese and their diminutive forms. I'd like to see similar lists for some other languages using these same names. Thanks.

JC

Antonio – Tonho, Tony
Alexandre – Xandy
Augusto – Guto
Carlos – Cacá
Alfredo, Frederico – Fred
Francisco – Chico
[William] Guilherme – Gui
Gustavo – Guga
Henrique – Quico
Joaquim – Quinca
José – Zé, Juca
Leonardo – Leo
Manuel – Mané
Alberto, Gilberto, Roberto – Beto
Rafael – Rafa

Beatriz – Bia
Cristina – Cris
Fernanda – Nanda
Helena – Lena
Heloísa – Helô
Isabel – Bel
Júlia - Juju
Susana – Suzi
Teresa – Terê, Tetê

 

[beclija]

I think what you mean is hypocoristics - diminutives are a more general term to cover "casita" and the like.

 

[pickypuck]

The ones coming to my mind now are the following forms but as they are names, there may be more possibilities.

Antonio - Toni, Tony, Toño, Tono.
Alejandro - Álex, Ale.
Carlos - Charly.
Alfredo - Freddy, Fredy.
Francisco - Paco, Curro, Kiko, Quico.
Guillermo - Guille, Guíller.
Enrique - Kike, Quique.
Joaquín - Quini.
José - Pepe.
Leonardo - Leo.
Manuel - Manu.
Alberto / Roberto - Álber, Róber.
Rafael - Rafa.

Beatriz - Bea.
Cristina - Cris, Cristy.
Fernanda - Nandy.
Eloísa - Elo.
Isabel - Isa, Chabeli, Chabela, Chavela.
Susana - Susi.
Teresa - Tere.

¡Olé!

 

[Frank06]

Hi,

I added the most commonly used alternatives after the bar (lots of them both in French and in Dutch). A few of the shorter forms are rather dialectic...
The question marks indicate that I don't have a clue, or that the name is hardly heard over here.

Antonio – Antoine, Antoon > Tonie, Tony
Alexandre – Alexander > Sander, [Edit: Alex]
Augusto – August > Gust
Carlos – Karel, Karl > Charel (Sjarel, slightly dialectic)
Alfredo, Frederico – Alfred / Frederik > Fred
Francisco – Franciscus, Francis > Sus, Sisse
[Over here, the French equivalent was quite common, viz. François. That often got abbreviated to 'çois / Swa.]
[William] Guilherme – Willem > [edit: Wim]
Gustavo – Gustaaf > Staf, Gust
Henrique – Hendrik > Rik
Joaquim – ?
José – Josef > Jos, Jef
Leonardo – Leonard > Leo
Manuel – Manuel > Manu
Alberto, Roberto – Albert, Robert > Bert, Berre
Rafael – Rafaël > Raf

Beatriz – Beatrice > Bea, Bé, Trix, Trixie
Cristina – Christine > Chris, Tine
Fernanda – ?
Helena – Helena > Lena
Heloísa – Louisa > Wiske
Isabel – Isabelle > Bel (?)
Júlia - Julie > ?
Susana – Suzanne > Suzi
Teresa – Theresa > Trees


Groetjes,

Frank

 

[spakh]

In Turkish you can add -o to the end of most of the male names as diminutive.
For example;
İbrahim = İbo
Abdullah = Apo
İsmail = İso
the list goes on
Mustafa = Musti
Muhammed = Mehmet (Turks would rather use Mehmet for Muhammed as respect to Islam prophet Mohammed)
This is a rather short list and I should add that except for Mehmet all the others are informal.

 

[Outsider]

For the benefit of the readers, I've added the English equivalent to each of the names that Joca listed.

Antonio – Anthony
Alexandre – Alexander
Augusto – Augustus
Carlos – Charles
Alfredo, Frederico – Alfred, Frederick
Francisco – Frank, Francis
[William] Guilherme
Gustavo – Gustaf
Henrique – Henry
Joaquim – Joachim [In German; I'm not sure this name is used in English]
José – Joseph
Leonardo – Leonard
Manuel – Manuel, Emmanuel
Alberto, Gilberto, Roberto – Albert, Gilbert, Robert
Rafael – Raphael

Beatriz – Beatrix
Cristina – Christine
Fernanda – Fernanda [?]
Helena – Helena, Helen
Heloísa – Elouise [?]
Isabel – Elizabeth
Júlia - Julia
Susana – Susannah, Susan
Teresa – Theresa

 

[Whodunit]

For the benefit of the readers, I've added the English equivalent to each of the names that Joca listed.

Thanks, I'll try with German (I've deleted the ones we don't have a usual equivalent for):

Alexander - Alex
Charles - Karl
Alfred, Frederick - Freddi
Frank, Francis - Franky (English pronunciation)
Joachim - Achim
Joseph - Sepp
Leonard - Lenni (?)
Manuel, Emmanuel - Manni
Albert, Gilbert, Robert - Bert, Berti


Beatrix - Bea
Christine - Tini, Tine
Elouise - Elli
Elizabeth - Elli, Lisa, Elisa
Julia - Jule
Susannah, Susan - Susi
Theresa - Rese

 

[beclija]

I will add some versions used in Austria. Lilac: A version common in Austria besides or instead of the ones you mentioned. Red: A version you mentioned that is totally uncommon here.

Thanks, I'll try with German (I've deleted the ones we don't have a usual equivalent for):

Alexander - Alex, Sascha (from Slavic languages); both also for "Alexandra"
Charles - Karl
Alfred, Manfred, Frederick - Freddi,
Friedrich - Fritz (pretty sure this one is common in Germany, too) Frank, Francis - Franky (English pronunciation)
Franz - (no short form except maybe "Franzl")
Joachim - Achim (uncommon name here)(question: isn't "Jochen" also for "Joachim"?)
Joseph - Sepp, Peppi
Leonard - Lenni (?) Leo
Manuel, Emmanuel - Manni (the only "Mannis" I know are Manfreds)
Albert, Gilbert, Robert - Bert, Berti (though not very commonly abbreviated)
but: Hubert - Hubi
Georg - Jörg, Schorsch, Schorli
Jakob (pronounced with short "a") - Jok(l)(rather regional)
Alois - Lois(l)
Florian - Flo
Johann - Hans
Wolfgang - Wolfi


Beatrix - Bea
Christine - Tini, Tine, Christl (also Tina, though that can be a real name as well)
Elouise - Elli
Elisabeth - Elli, Lisa, Elisa, Lissi
Julia - Jule
Susannah, Susan - Susi
Theresa - Rese, Resi
Barbara - Babs(i), Bärbel, Wetti
Magdalena, Helena - Lena, Leni (Magdalena also Magda, Magdi)
Sabrina - Sabs

And many more

 

[Anjie]

These would be the English diminutives:

Antonio – Tony
Alexandre – Alex
Augusto – Augie
Carlos – Charlie
Alfredo, Frederico – Freddy
Francisco – Cisco
[William] Guilherme – Willy, Will
Gustavo – Gus
Henrique – Ricky
José – (Joseph) Joey
Leonardo – Leo
Manuel – Manny
Alberto-Al
Gilberto- Gil
Roberto – Rob, Robby
Rafael – Ralphie
Beatriz – Bee
Cristina – Cris, Chrissy
Fernanda – Annie
Helena – Lenny
Isabel – Bela, Izzy
Júlia - Jules, Julie
Susana – Suzi
Theresa- Tessa, Reesie

 

[claudine2006]

Hi:

Here's a short list of some common first names in Portuguese and their diminutive forms. I'd like to see similar lists for some other languages using these same names. Thanks.

JC

Antonio – Tonio
Alexandre – (Alessandro) - Sandro, Ale
Augusto – ?
Carlos – (Carlo) =
Alfredo – Alfry
Frederico (Federico) - Fede
Francisco – (Francesco) Checco, Cecco, Chicco, Fra
[William] Guilherme – (Guglielmo) =
Gustavo – =
Henrique – (Enrico) Henry
Joaquim – ?
José – (Giuseppe) - Giu, Peppe, Beppe, Bepi
Leonardo – Leo
Manuel – (Manuele) - Manu
Roberto – Robi/Roby
Alberto - Albi/Alby
Rafael – (Raffaele) Raf

Beatriz – (Beatrice) - Bea
Cristina – Cri
Fernanda – Nanda
Helena – (Elena) =
Heloísa – (Eloisa) =
Isabel – (Isabella) - Isa
Júlia - (Giulia) - Giu
Susana – (Susanna) - Susi/Susy
Teresa – Tere

In Italian. I wrote in blue the Italian form and in pink the diminutive form.

 

[übermönch]

Hi, it would be barely possible to compile such list in Russian, since the possibilities to form diminutives are almost endless.

Anton – Antosha, Antoshka, Antoshenka, Antoshechka, Antokha, Tokha...
Alexandr – Sasha, Sashok, Sashenka, Shura, Shurik, Sanya, Sanyok, Sanechka...
Maria – Manja, Masha, Mura, Murka, Murachka, Mashenka, Mashka, Marja...
etc. etc. you got the point – my fingers would fall off if did the complete list with all variations =) if you insist, I'd write a few for each

 

[Joca]

Thanks to all of you. I think beclija is right: hypocoristic is a better term than diminutive. Now, I particularly missed the French hypocoristics. Nobody offered to post them?

JC

 

[übermönch]

Hmm... no frenchman answers, i'd ask again on the french board - then surely it'd get answered.

 

[mickaël]

Hello,

Here are some french hypocoristics, for this list of names. Lots of them don't have one... or maybe I don't know them.


Anthony – Tony
Alexandre – Alex
Auguste – Augustin
Charles – Charlie
Alfred, Frederique – Fred
Francis, François – /
Guillaume – /
Gustave – /
Henri – /
Joaquim – /
José – /
Leonard – Léo
Manuel – Manu
Albert, Gilbert, Robert – Bébert
Rafaël – Raf ? / Raphaëlle (fem) – Rafi ?

Béatrice – Béa
Christine – Chris
Fernande – Nanande
Hélène – /
Heloïse – /
Isabelle – Isa
Julie - Juju
Susane – Suzie
Thérèse – / But, Marie-Thérèse – Marité


I hope another French will watch this list to confirm it, or add some others if there are more than these ones.
(sorry for my English)
Bye


Edit: This thread in the Cultural Discusions forum will interest you, maybe.

 

[DDT]

Hello,

Here are some french hypocoristics, for this list of names. Lots of them don't have one... or maybe I don't know them.


Anthony – Tony
Alexandre – Alex
Auguste – Augustin
Charles – Charlie
Alfred, Frederique – Fred
Francis, François – /
Guillaume – /
Gustave – /
Henri – /
Joaquim – /
José – /
Leonard – Léo
Manuel – Manu
Albert, Gilbert, Robert – Bébert
Rafaël – Raf ? / Raphaëlle (fem) – Rafi ?

Béatrice – Béa
Christine – Chris
Fernande – Nanande
Hélène – /
Heloïse – /
Isabelle – Isa
Julie - Juju
Susane – Suzie
Thérèse – / But, Marie-Thérèse – Marité


I hope another French will watch this list to confirm it, or add some others if there are more than these ones.
(sorry for my English)
Bye


Edit: This thread in the Cultural Discusions forum will interest you, maybe.

Other two common ones I can think of are:

Laurent - Lolo
François Xavier - Fix

Apart from that I have noticed that most people tend to simply use the initials of compound names including "Jean" so that "Jean-Baptiste" becomes "JB", "Jean-Christophe" becomes "JC" and so on

DDT

 

[lacoba]

En Español (Colombia):

Antonio – Tony, Toño
Alejandro – Alejo
Carlos – Caliche, charly
Francisco – pacho
Guillermo – Memo
Gustavo – Tavo
Henrique – Quique
Joaquim – Joaco
José – Joche - Chepe
Leonardo – Leo
Alberto, Gilberto, Roberto – Beto
Rafael – Rafa

Beatriz – Betty
Cristina – Cris
Mercedes- Mechas
Isabel – Chabela, Chava
Susana – Susi
Teresa – Tere

 

[Mirko_87]

In Chile...........

Rodrigo - Rigo, Rorro
Fernando - Feña, Fer
Nicolas - Nico
Marcelo - Chelo
Antonio – Toño
Alejandro – Jano, Ale
Francisco – Pancho
Henrique – Kike
Joaquin – Joaco
José – Pepe, Pepo, Joche
Leonardo – Leo
Roberto – Robi, Roro
Rafael – Rafa
Beatriz – Betty, Bea
Cristina – Tina, Cris
Mercedes- Meche
Isabel – Isa
Susana – Susi
Teresa – Tere
Javier - Javi, Javo
Gonzalo - Chalo
Luis - Lucho
Matias - Mati
Jorge - Coke
Daniel - Dano, Dani
Felipe - Pipe, Lipe

 

[sepilicious]

There are often sprecific processes for forming nicknames in particular languages.
For example many Italian nicknames are made by taking the first two syllables. Monica, Moni, Alice, Ali.
Another process is taking every right of the stressed syllable: antónio, tonio, It. Alíce, Lice
In English most nicknames are made by taking the first syllable (or heavy syllable if you know what that is) and maybe adding -y.
Andrew, Andy
Patricia, Patty
Steven, Steve, Stevie

 

[Odette]

In Venice... (Italy, not California)

Alessandro - Sandro
Antonio - Toni
Augusto - Gusto
Elena - Nene
Elisabetta - Beta/Beti
Enrico - Rico
Francesco - Checo
Gabriella - Gabri
Genoveffa - Efa
Giovanni - Nane
Girolamo - Momolo
Giuseppe - Bepi
Luigi - Gigio/Jijo/Jiji
Matteo - Teo
Michele - Micel
Nicoletta - Eta
Pietro - Piero
Raffaello - Rafo
Susanna - Susi

 

[Nanon]

Hi All,

Here are some more in French (in purple).
There is an open topic in Wikipedia about hypochoristics in French (with many loanwords).

Hello,

Here are some french hypocoristics, for this list of names. Lots of them don't have one... or maybe I don't know them.


Anthony – Tony (full form: Antoine)
Alexandre – Alex
Auguste – Augustin
Charles – Charlie
Alfred, Frederique – Fred
Francis, François – / but Françoise (f.) : Framboise, Fanfan, Fanchon (dated)
Guillaume – /
Gustave – / Tatave (dated)
Henri – Riri, Riton
Joachim – /
Joseph – Jef, Jeff, Jo
Léonard – Léo
Manuel, Emmanuel – Manu
Albert, Gilbert, Robert – Bébert
Raphaël – Raf ? / Raphaëlle (fem) – Rafi ? Raph
Jean - Jeannot
Jacques - Jacky, Jacquot (Jacques Chirac's nickname in satiric press)
Jules - Julot
Pierre - Pierrot
André - Dédé (dated)
Louis - Loulou


Béatrice – Béa
Christine – Chris
Fernande – Nanande
Hélène – /
Heloïse – /
Isabelle – Isa Zaza, Zabou
Julie - Juju
Suzanne – Suzie
Thérèse – / But, Marie-Thérèse – Marité
Michèle - Mimi
Elisabeth - Babette, Lili
Véronique - Véro
Valérie - Vava, Valou, Valoche (not very nice, though...)
Catherine - Cathy
Caroline - Caro
Nathalie - Nat
Anne - Annette, Nanette, Annie (any diminutive will be longer than the original form!)

 

[Lupita-]

Rodrigo - Ro, Rodri, Rodo, Rorro
Fernando - Fer, Nando
Nicolas - Nico
Alejandro – Ale
Francisco – Pancho, Fran, Frano
Joaquin – Joaco
Roberto – Robi
Rafael – Rafa
Beatriz – Betty
Cristina – Cris
Isabel – Isa
Javier - Javi, Javo
Gonzalo - Gon, Gonza
Luis - Lucho
Matias - Mati, Matu
Daniel - Dano, Dani
Felipe - Pipe, Feli
Carlos- Carlitos(?)
Federico – Fede, Fefe, Feche
Manuel – Manu
Fernanda – Fer
Sofía- Sofi, Chof, Chofi, Chopi, So, Pope, Popi.
Florencia- Flor, Flopy
Natalia- Natu, Nati
Laura- Lau, Lalu, Lauri, Laurita.
Ana- Anita, Ani
Santiago- Santi, Tiago
Juan- Juano, Juani, Juancho, Juanchi (también combinado Juanma, Juampi, etc)
Magalí- Maga, Magui, Magus.
Cecilia- Chechu, Ceci.
Silvinia- Sil,Chivi, Silvi.
Facundo- Facu
Giuli- Giu
Julian- Juli(también se le dice así a Julia, Julieta)
Leandro-Leo,Lea
Dolores-Dolo, Lola
Lucía- Lu, Luli
Mora, Morena-Mo, More
Ignacio- Igna, Nacho, Nachito, Nano
Rocío- Rochi, Ro
Selene- Sele
Martín- Marto, Martu, Tincho, Tin
Tomás- Tom, Tomi
Mailén- May,Mai, Mailu
Maira, Mayra- Mai, May


Saludos,

Guadalupe- Guada, Gua, Guadi, Lupe, Lupita, Lupi, Lulú, Guadita, Guadu,

 

[Nizo]

In Esperanto, the male diminutive is formed by adding –ĉjo and the female diminutive is formed by adding –njo. There is no specific rule as to where to add them—you just put them where it sounds good! You usually keep anywhere up to the first five letters of the name. Of course, just like in any language, pretty much whatever someone wants to use is okay. Here are some possibilities for the names you listed:

Antonio – Anĉjo (I've also seen Toĉjo for this)Aleksandro – Aleĉjo (possibly also just Sandro or even Sanĉjo)Aŭgusto – Aŭĉjo, AŭguĉjoKarlo, Karolo – Kaĉjo, Karoĉjo
Alfredo – Alĉjo, AlfreĉjoFrederiko – Freĉjo (possibly also Fredo)Francisko – FraĉjoVilhelmo – Viĉjo, VilĉjoGustavo – Guĉjo, GustaĉjoHenriko – Heĉjo, HenĉjoJoakimo – Joĉjo, JoaĉjoJozefo – Joĉjo, JozeĉjoLeonardo – Leoĉjo (possibly also just Leo)Emanuelo – Emanĉjo (possibly also Manĉjo)Alberto – Alĉjo, Albeĉjo (possibly also Beĉjo)
Gilberto – Giĉjo, Gilĉjo
Roberto – Roĉjo, RobeĉjoRafaelo – Raĉjo, RafaĉjoBeatrico – Benjo, Beanjo, BeatrinjoKristino – Krinjo, KristinjoFernandino – FernjoHeleno – Henjo, HelenjoHeloizo – Helonjo, HeloinjoElizabeto – ElinjoJuliino – Julinjo Susano – Sunjo, SusanjoTerezo – Tenjo, Terenjo

 

[michimz]

These would be the English diminutives:

Antonio – Tony
Alexandre – Alex
Augusto – Augie
Carlos – Charlie, Chuck
Alfredo, Frederico – Freddy, Fred
Francisco – Cisco
[William] Guilherme – Willy, Will, Bill
Gustavo – Gus
Henrique – Ricky
José – (Joseph) Joey, Joe
Leonardo – Leo, Len, Lenny (Leonard)
Manuel – Manny
Alberto-Al
Gilberto- Gil
Roberto – Rob, Robby, Bob, Bobby
Rafael – Ralphie, Ralph
Beatriz – Bee, Bea (Just another spelling)
Cristina – Cris, Chrissy
Fernanda – Annie
Helena – Lenny, Helen, Hels
Isabel – Bela, Izzy
Júlia - Jules, Julie
Susana – Suzi, Sue
Theresa- Tessa, Reesie

Just a few more!

Michimz

 

[catlady60]

These would be the English diminutives:

Antonio – Tony, Ant
Alexandre – Alex
Augusto – Augie
Carlos – Charlie, Chuck, Chuckie
Alfredo, Frederico – Freddy
Francisco – Cisco, Frank, Frankie
[William] Guilherme – Willy, Will, Bill, Willie, Billy
Gustavo – Gus
Henrique – Ricky, Hank
José – (Joseph) Joey, Joe
Leonardo – Leo
Manuel – Manny
Alberto-Al, Bert
Gilberto- Gil
Roberto – Rob, Robby, Bob, Bobby
Rafael – Ralphie
Beatriz – Bee, Bea
Cristina – Cris, Chrissy, Christie
Fernanda – Annie, Fern
Helena – Lenny
Isabel – Bela, Izzy, Betty
Júlia - Jules, Julie
Susana – Suzi, Sue (that's my name!), Suzie
Theresa- Tessa, Reesie

A few more from me.

 

[apmoy70]

Greek hypocoristics of the most common Greek first names (in blue):

Anthony - Αντώνιος (an'donios, formal name) -Αντώνης (an'donis), Tώνης/Τόνης ('tonis, both spellings are common).
Alexander - Αλέξανδρος (a'leksanðros, formal name) - Αλέξης (a'leksis), Αλέκος (a'lekos).
Joseph - Ιωσήφ (io'sif, formal name) - Σήφης ('sifis, common Cretan hypocoristic).
Emmanuel - Εμμανουήλ (emanu'il, formal name) - Μανώλης/Μανόλης (ma'nolis, both spellings are common), Μάνος ('manos), Μανουήλ (manu'il).
John - Ιωάννης (io'anis, formal name) - Γιάννης ('ʝanis), Γιάννος ('ʝanos).
Raphael - Ραφαήλ (rafa'il, formal name) - Φαήλος (fa'ilos).
Michael - Μιχαήλ (mixa'il, formal name) - Μιχάλης (mi'xalis), Mίκης ('Micis).
Nicholas - Νικόλαος (ni'kolaos, formal name) - Νικόλας (ni'kolas), Νίκος ('nikos).
George - Γεώργιος (ʝe'orʝios, formal name) - Γιώργος ('ʝorɣos), Γώγος ('ɣoɣos).
Basil - Βασίλειος (va'silios, formal name) - Βασίλης (va'silis), Βάσος ('vasos).
Euthymius - Ευθύμιος (ef'θimios, formal name) - Θύμιος ('θimios).
Eustace - Ευστάθιος (ef'staθios, formal name) - Στάθης ('staθis).
Epaminondas - Επαμεινώνδας (epami'nonðas, formal name) - Nώντας ('nondas).
Pantele'imon - Παντελεήμων (pandele'imon, formal name) - Παντελής (pande'lis).

Christine - Χριστίνα (xris'tina, formal name) - Τίνα ('tina).
Catherine - Αικατερίνη (ekate'rini, formal name) - Κατερίνα (kate'rina), Καίτη ('ceti).
Ann - Άννα ('ana, formal name) - Ἀνι ('ani), Αννέτα (a'neta).
Helen - Ελένη (e'leni, formal name) - Λένα ('lena), Λέγκω ('leŋgo).
Julia - Ιουλία (iu'lia, formal name) - Τζούλια ('tzuʎa), Τζούλι ('tzuli), Ιουλίτα (iu'lita).
Mary - Μαρία (ma'ria, formal name) - Μαίρη ('meri), Μαράκι (ma'raci), Μαρίκα (Ma'rika), Μαριγώ (mari'ɣo).
Sophia - Σοφία (so'fia, formal name) - Σόφι ('sofi).
Euthymia - Ευθυμία (efθi'mia, formal name) - Έφη ('efi).
Grace - Χάρις ('xaris, formal name) - Χαρά (xa'ra), Χαρούλα (xa'rula).
Georgia - Γεωργία (ʝeor'ʝia, formal name) - Γιωργία (ʝor'ʝia), Tζώρτζια ('tzortzia), Γωγώ (ɣo'ɣo).

 

[vaftrudner]

Hello!

I borrowed Nanon's list of names to add some Swedish names, and added a few of apmoy70's I'll add the Swedish equivalent in blue, and the hypochoristics in purple. There are often several alternate spellings for a name, I've only added the most common. Please note that sometimes a name in Swedish is actually borrowed from a nickname in other languages!

Anthony – Anton, Tony
Alexandre – Alexander - Alex
Auguste – August
Charles – Karl - Kalle
Alfred, Frederique – Fredrik - Fredde
Francis, François – Frank
Guillaume – /
Gustave – Gustav, Gustaf - Gurra (can also be a nickname for Gunnar)
Henri – Henrik - Henke
Joachim – Joakim - Jocke
Joseph – Josef
Léonard – Lennart
Manuel, Emmanuel – Emanuel - Manne (also an uncommon first name)
Albert, Gilbert, Robert – Robert - Robban
Raphaël – Raf ? / Raphaëlle (fem) – /
Jean - Johan, John (Johnny), Johannes, Hannes
Jacques - Jack
Jules - /
Pierre - Per - Pelle
André - André
Louis - /
Michael (Μιχαήλ) - Mikael - Micke
Nicholas (Νικόλαος) - Niklas - Nicke
George (Γεώργιος) - Georg


Béatrice – Beatrice
Christine – Kristina - Kicki
Fernande – /
Hélène – Helena
Heloïse – /
Isabelle – Isabelle - Bella
Julie - Julia
Suzanne – Susanne, Susanna - Sussie
Thérèse – Therese, Terese - Tess
Michèle - Michelle
Elisabeth - Elisabeth, Elisabet - Bettan (sounds very old-fashioned)
Véronique - Veronika
Valérie - /
Catherine - Katarina, Katrin - Kattis
Caroline - Karolin - Karro
Nathalie - Natalie
Anne - Anna, Anette (Nettan)
Sophia (Σοφία) - Sofie, Sofia

The most interesting thing I found out was that Anette, which has a nickname, actually came from a French nickname

 

[kra]

Hi:

Here's a short list of some common first names in Portuguese and their diminutive forms. I'd like to see similar lists for some other languages using these same names. Thanks.


Carlos – Cacá

Is this really the Portuguese diminutive for Carlos? Is it okay to call your friend (20-something) Cacá without ending up offending him, or is reserved just for children? Would it sound silly or something?

 

[biala]

In Hebrew a lot of names that have an inherent diminutive form (I mean that the diminuative becomes a permanent name, also for an adult) are the biblical ones. The English form of the name is in brackets:

Avraham (Abraham) - Avi (now could be a name by itself) ,Avrum (old fashioned, from Yiddish), Avreimi (Ultra-orthodox).
Itzhak (Isaac) - Yitzik
Ya'acov (Jacob) - Yaki, Yanki, Yankale (a bit old fashioned or ultea-orthodox, derived from Yiddish)
Israel - pronounced "Yisra'el" - Srulik
Yossef (Josef) - Yossi, Yossale ( old fashioned or u.o.), Yoskeh.
Binyamin (Benjamin) - Benny)
Reuven (Ruben) - Rubi
Shimon (Simon), Shimshon (Samson) - Shimi
Mosheh (Moses) - Moshiko, Moisheh, Moishele (old fashioned), Mushon.
Yehoshua (Joshua) - Shuki
Efrayim - Efi
Eliahu (Elias), Elisha (Elijah), Eliezer etc. (other names with the prefix "Eli" = my God) - Eli
Michael - Mickey
Daniel - Dan, Danny
Gavriel (Gabriel) - Gabby
David - Dudi, Dudu
Shlomo (Solomon) - Shlomi (could be a name by itself)
Shmuel (Samuel) - Shmulik




for modern names we generally add for affection "I" or - mainly for children - "chik" or "ush" or sometimes the russiun- originated form "ushka"
for example the name Alon (which means an oak tree) could be Aloni, Alonush, Alonchik.


for Girls - biblical names:
Sarah - Sari
Rivka (Rebecca) - Rivki, sometimes the English form Bekky.
Rakhel (Rachel) - Khely (or spelled in English Chelly)
Miriam - Mira, Miri
Dvora (Debra) - Debby
Hanna (Anne) - Hanni
Rut (Ruth) - Ruti
Tamar - Tammy
Tzippora - Tzippy

Modern names for girls - generally the affection form is adding "I" but there are also other versions specially for children, so "Anat" could be Anati, Anatush, Anatileh or Anatinka (well, more by her grandma.. ).

 

[Aoiame]

Antonio/Anthony- Tonio, Tony, Ton-ton, Anton
Alejandro/Alexander - Álex, Xandro
Carlos/Charles - Carlo, Karlo, Charlie, Chuckie
Alfredo/Alfred - Fredo, Dodong, Freddy, Fred, Al
Francisco/Francis - Paco, Kiko, Cisco, Franz, Fran
Guillermo/William - Emong, Will, Willie, Liam
Enrique/Henry - Rick, Ricky
Joaquín - Aquin, Joaqui
José/Joseph - Pepe, Peping, Seph, Jojo
Leonardo/Leonard - Leo, Nardo, Narding
Manuel - Manny
Alberto/Albert - Berto, Berting, Toto, Al, Albie, Bert
Roberto/Robert - Berto, Berting, Toto, Robbie, Bert
Rafael/Raphael- Rafa, Raphie, Rap-rap

Beatriz/Beatrice- Bea, Atriz
Cristina/Christine- Crista, Cristy, Tina, Chris, Tine
Fernanda - Fe, Fern, Fernie
Eloísa/Eloise - Isa, Loisa
Isabel/Elizabeth - Isa, Bel, Sabel, Liz, Eliza, Beth
Susana/Susan - Susan
Teresa/Therese - Teresita, Tere, Tessie, Tess, Tisay, Iting, Ising

 

[luitzen]

West Frisian:

Boys-Dimunitive boys-Girls
Aaldert-Aaldertsje-Aaldertsje
Anne-Anneke/Antsje-Anneke/Antsje
Beitse-Beitske-Beitske
Bindert-Bindertsje-Bindertsje
Douwe-Doukje-Doukje
Femme-Femke-Femke
Gerrit-Gerritsje-Gerritsje
Harmen-Harmke-Harmke
Lieuwe-Lieuwkje-Lieuwkje
Ybele-Ybeltsje-Ybeltsje
Ids-Idske-Idske
Yme-Ymke-Ymke
Yntze-Yntsje-Yntsje
Ynze-Ynskje-Ynskje
Jan-Jantsje-Jantsje
Pyt-Pytsje-Pytsje
Sibbele-Sibbeltsje-Sibbeltsje
Sije-Sijke-Sijke
Sytse-Sytske-Sytske
Wiebe-Wybkje-Wybkje
Wytse-Wytske-Wytske

Diminutives of names are generally girls names and since diminutives generally don't have diminutives it's wise to not use a diminutive for a guy's name.

 

[Nino83]

I add some form, to those just said, in Italian:

Antonio/Antonino - Tonino - Nino
Francesco - Ciccio
Giuseppe - Pippo
Fernanda - Fefi
Elena - Ele
Susanna - Su