Stephen King Character Names
- Andy
Origin:
Diminutive of Andrew, GreekMeaning:
"strong and manly"Description:
Although we prefer Drew to the old Raggedy Andy, Andy has overtaken Drew as a name in its own right. About twice as many baby boys are named Andy, just Andy -- though about eight times as many parents go with the full Andrew.
- Dick
Origin:
Diminutive of RichardMeaning:
"dominant ruler"Description:
Dick was a once-common short form of Richard; replaced by Rick or Richie, and finally by the full name itself. Rude meaning -- make that two rude meanings -- pretty much knocks this one out of consideration.
- Mike
Origin:
English, diminutive of MichaelDescription:
Unlike Jake or Sam, few parents put Mike on the birth certificate.
- Tony
Origin:
Diminutive of AnthonyMeaning:
"priceless one"Description:
Tony, as in classy. Or To-nyyy, as yelled out a tenement window.
- Danny
Origin:
Short form of Daniel, HebrewMeaning:
"God is my judge"Description:
A diminutive of Daniel that's been immortalized in odes ranging from 'Danny Boy' to 'Danny's Song.'
- Sue
Origin:
Diminutive of SusanDescription:
Much-used midcentury diminutive, now fallen far from favor even as a middle name.
- Ralphie
Origin:
Diminutive of RalphMeaning:
"wolf-counsel"Description:
Ralphie is one of those short forms that have been out of style for so long it just might have a chance of coming back in, if you can get past seeing it as a desperate attempt to cute-ify a stodgy old man's name.
- Red
Origin:
Color nameDescription:
Fiery but slight middle name choice; much more apt to be a redhead's nickname.
- Bill
Origin:
English, diminutive of WilliamMeaning:
"resolute protection"Description:
Most Bills today are dads...or grandpas. The younger Williams are usually nicknamed Will, or called by their full names.
- Stan
Origin:
Short form of StanleyMeaning:
"near the stony meadow"Description:
One of the old-school nicknames -- think Ray, Vince, Frank -- that's on the brink of coming back into style. Name him Stanislav or Constantine and he'll have a groovier long form to fall back on.
- Randall
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"shield-wolf"Description:
Medieval name without much of a future.
- Arnie
Origin:
Short form of Arnold, English from GermanMeaning:
"ruler, strong as an eagle"Description:
Arnie is a nerdy-tipping-into-cute nickname that may rise again, if not for this generation of babies then for their babies. Look for it in the nurseries of 2050.
- Georgie
Origin:
Diminutive of George, GreekMeaning:
"farmer"Description:
A warm and cuddly nickname name, although he famously "kissed the girls and made them cry" in the old nursery rhyme.
- Richie
Origin:
Short form of RichardDescription:
Richie was once a popular enough nickname for Richard that it made the Top 1000 all by itself. It's seriously out of style now -- though still a better choice than Dick or even Ricky.
- Chris
Origin:
English diminutive of Christina, GreekMeaning:
"a Christian"Description:
Chris is one of the longest-running and still most appealing unisex short forms, still used nearly equally for boys and girls. Though no longer fashionable, Chris still feels crisp and appropriate for both sexes.
- Thad
Origin:
Short form of Thaddeus or variation of TadDescription:
Thad is a tad too slight to stand alone as a name, though as a short form of the imposing Thaddeus it's as serviceable as Ted or Ed.
- Jud
Origin:
Diminutive of Judson, EnglishMeaning:
"son of Jordan"Description:
More commonly spelled JUDD, this is a strong but sensitive short form that can easily stand on its own.
- Carietta