85+ Famous Nicknames

Abhijeet Modi
Feb 16, 2024 By Abhijeet Modi
Originally Published on Jan 11, 2023
Edited by Lara Simpson
Fact-checked by Deeti Gupta
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Check some famous nicknames for celebrities here.



Nicknames are usually given by our close ones out of love.

Apart from real names, nicknames also give a sense of identity to people. You can give them to a kid, your friend, a famous celebrity, or someone you love.

Nicknames are an informal way to address someone apart from their real names. It is related to celebrities and their real name.

Famous nicknames are usually used to show the person your love, admiration, and affection. When you give a renowned person a funny nickname, it eventually becomes a famous nickname itself. The press, such as the Los Angeles Times, has also given several famous nicknames in their publications.

Several people start calling celebrities by their famous nicknames, giving them a fun identity. For instance, Hugh Jackman, a famous Australian actor, has the nickname Jacko due to his surname. It is similar to his real name and also gives a cute touch. In this article, we will explore 101 famous nicknames and their origin or their funny history.

Famous Nicknames For Movies And Music

These are famous nicknames inspired by movie characters or movie stars like Keanu Reeves and celebrated musicians.

  • Aura- For someone who has a majestic aura like Rihanna or Aurora.
  • Cheesy Head- Quirky nickname for Liam Payne.
  • J.Lo- Jennifer Lopez has a stage name J.Lo.
  • Mama- A common moniker for Jennifer Aniston because she is one of her kind.
  • Nitro- Jennifer Lawrence is called Nitro, which means very active.
  • Pickle- Drew Barrymore gave the nickname to Bella Thorne.
  • Skinny Legs- Hugh Jackman has the nickname Skinny Legs due to his skinny legs as a child.

Famous Nicknames For Sport

It is seen that a famous sportsman is generally not known by their real name. Usually, sportspersons are known by their stage names or famous nicknames denoting their contribution to their field.

  • Air Jordan- Famous player Michael Jordan was also called Air Jordan because his basketball shoe line was named after him.
  • AK-47- the nickname AK-47, real name Andrei Kirilenko, for his name and jersey number.
  • Big Ben- Nickname of the NBA's Ben Wallace because he was tall.
  • Chief- With the real name Robert Parish was known as Chief.
  • Cool Papa Bell- Baseballer Thomas Bell was called Cool Papa Bell due to his calm nature.
  • Cujo- For his Stephen King-inspired masks, Curtis Joseph was nicknamed Cujo.
  • Dominator- an overachiever and best goalie in NHL, Dominik Hasek, has this famous nickname.
  • Glove- The name became famous from Gary Payton, who was the best defender.
  • Great One- Gretzky was the one.
  • Iron- Mike Tyson's nickname.
  • Mailman- Karl Anthony Malone, a power forward in NBA, was named this because he always delivered.
  • No Mas- quirky name for Roberto Duran.
  • Pearl- Rare players such as Earl Monroe.
  • Pistol Pete- Pistol Pete is as remarkable as one can be. NBA player Peter Press Maravich was nicknamed this.
  • Smokin'- A remarkable nickname for Joe Frazier.
  • Sugar- A borrowed name of Walker Smith.
  • Teddy Ballgame- Ted William was called splinter because of his skills.
  • The Juice- For O.J. Simpson, the nickname juice was a play on his real name O.J. and his fluid running.
  • The Stilt- Almost became Wilt Chamberlain's real name.
  • The Wizard of Oz - Ozzie Smith is famous for this nickname due to his utilization of fielders.

Favorite Nicknames In Politics

In politics, monikers are more famous than real names. The thrilling deeds or fun history of politicians are primarily behind these not-so-real names. Here are some of these famous nicknames.

  • Bottler Brown- for Gordon Brown, as he did not call an election in 2007.
  • BoJo- Boris Johnson short form used by the press.
  • DVD Dave- Mr. Dave Cameron got this nickname because of his love for DVD Box Sets.
  • Iron Lady- Margaret Thatcher was as strong as iron and decisive.
  • Ramshackle Mac - Used for Ramsay MacDonald.
  • Soapy- Gerhard William was called so as he was the heir to the family that produced personal products. 
  • Teflon Tony- A name for Tony Blair for his ability to clear his political reputation.
  • Tina- For Margaret's economic beliefs and her commonly used statement, 'There is no alternative.'
  • Tonibler- A Kosovan name for Tony Blair due to his part in ending the Kosovan war.
  • Tony Blur- Used during Blair's time by the opposition to describe his lack of detailed policies.
  • Torch - Sen. Robert Torricelli got this nickname based on his hard-driving political style.

Famous Nicknames In History

History has many famous nicknames, usually used to denote the contribution of a famous personality.

  • ABC- Used for British admiral in World War I, Andrew Browne Cunningham.
  • Acey -Albert C. Burrows was the US submarine's commander during World War II. 
  • Artist King- King Fernando II was an art-loving person.
  • Assi- This nickname is given to Hans Hahn, a fighter pilot in World War II.
  • Auk- Field Marshal Sir Claude John Eyre Auchinleck was named this during World War II.
  • Axis Sally- Mildred Elizabeth Sisk was an American radio broadcaster employed by the Nazis in World War II.
  • Boss- It is a nickname for US politician William Tweed.
  • Boy Tommy-Sir Frederick A. M. Browning was a British airborne general during World War II.
  • Bulldozer- Jacques Chirac, Prime Minister of France, is called by this nickname.
  • Caballo Loco- Alan Garcíawas named so. He was the President of Peru.
  • Calamity Jane- Martha Jane Cannary Burke was a legendary woman of the American Old West.
  • Che - Dr. Ernesto Rafael was an Argentina-born Marxist revolutionary.
  • Chemical Ali- Ali Hassan al-Majid's nickname; he was the Defense Minister of Iraq.
  • Chesty- Name for US general Lewis B. Puller.
  • Chips- Nickname for Arthur S. Carpender; he was a World War II submarine force commander.
  • Comrade Nyet- Andrei Gromyko's nickname; he was a Soviet politician.
  • Dada- President of Uganda Idi Amin.
  • Debby- Desmond Piers' nickname, he was a Canadian admiral.
  • Dinty- John R. Moore was a submarine commander.
  • DoncGlynn R. Donaho was the US's World War II submarine commander.
  • Dubya- Quirky nickname for George W. Bush, the US President.
  • Extra Billy- William Smith was known by this name. He was a US congressman.
  • Incredible Sulk- Edward Heaththe Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, was given this nickname because he rarely used to smile.
  • Joe Who- Joe Clark, the Prime Minister of Canada, received this nickname.
  • Just- Casimir II of Poland was a just ruler, so the name.
  • Kim- Harold Adrian Russell Philby's name, he was a British spy for the Soviet Union.
  • Liberator- Fiery, just like Pedro I of Brazil.
  • Lilibet - Queen Elizabeth was usually known by this nickname.
  • Patriot- Nickname ofManuel II of Portugal.
  • Rock Of Chickamauga- General George Henry Thomas was named so. He was Major General in the Union Army.
  • Rum- John M. Jones, Confederate general, was called Rum due to his fondness for this drink.
  • Subtle Doctor- Duns Scotus' nickname was an English philosopher and theologian.
  • The Bard Of Avon- English playwright William Shakespeare was named so.
  • The Big Fellow- Michael Collins was named so; he was an Irish revolutionary leader.
  • The Grey Fox — Named after George Crook, General of US.
  • Tubby- Conrad Black was a Canadian financier and a newspaper magnate.
  • Uncle Billy- William T. Sherman; was a US Civil War general.
  • Uncle Joe- A cute name for Joseph Stalin.
  • Vati- Werner Mölders was known as Vati. He was a German fighter ace.
  • Vinegar Joe- Joseph Stillwell, the US general, was nicknamed so.
  • Voyager- Saint Brendan of Clonfort's was denoted with this name as he was a legendary Irish explorer.
  • Weary- Charles W. Wilkins was a US submarine commander.
  • Warrior- Nickname of Charles I of Savoy.
  • Wiesław- Władysław Gomułka was Poland's Communist leader, a friend for his country.
  • Wild Bill- William J. Donovan's other name, was a wartime leader of the OSS.
  • Your Czarship- William Simon was an administrator in the US Federal Administration.
  • Ziggy- Energetic nickname for the US carrier Task Force commander Clifton Sprague.
  • Zik- Nickname was given to the President of Nigeria, Nnamdi Azikiwe.

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Sources

https://list.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_nicknames_of_historical_personages

https://therookiewire.usatoday.com/lists/greatest-nicknames-in-nba-history/

https://www.espn.com/page2/s/list/baseball/nicknames/010612.html

https://brightside.me/wonder-people/10-celebs-nicknames-that-even-loyal-fans-might-not-know-800683/

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Written by Abhijeet Modi

Master of Computer Science

Abhijeet Modi picture

Abhijeet ModiMaster of Computer Science

An experienced and innovative entrepreneur and creative writer, Abhijeet holds a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Computer Application from Birla Institute of Technology, Jaipur. He co-founded an e-commerce website while developing his skills in content writing, making him an expert in creating blog posts, website content, product descriptions, landing pages, and editing articles. Passionate about pushing his limits, Abhijeet brings both technical expertise and creative flair to his work.

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Fact-checked by Deeti Gupta

Bachelor of Arts specializing in English Literature

Deeti Gupta picture

Deeti GuptaBachelor of Arts specializing in English Literature

A detail-oriented fact-checker with a research-oriented approach. Devika has a passion for creative writing, she has been published on multiple digital publishing platforms and editorials before joining the Kidadl team. Currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from St.Xavier's College, Deeti has won several accolades and writing competitions throughout her academic career.

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