'They all decided that my name, Ciarán, is too hard to pronounce': Irish teenager moves to the USA, classmates try to call him 'Connor' as his American name against his will

Most nicknames are bequeathed onto the nicknamed by others. They are not the ones who typically come up with their nicknames, nor are said nicknames natural and fitting from the word go. When I was in middle school, I bequeathed one of my best friends with the nickname "Beef." Why she still talks to me after that, I have no idea. But for some reason, because I was so insistent and it was objectively amusing, she embraced the Beefy side of her and even incorporated this nickname into her Instagram handle. 

Nicknames often serve the function of making one's name easier to say quickly or easier to pronounce. Beef's real name is Remelee, and going from three to one syllable was a real time saver. Sometimes, it's just a display of affection. I call my friend Aurora "Rory" sometimes because I have so much love in my heart for her, and a niche nickname fortifies that. 

Author image for Emmy Ward Emmy Ward
Advertisement

Stay entertained and up to date by following us on Facebook and Instagram!

Tags

school americans at school pronounce irish teacher Ireland america names high school study abroad naming Terrible Teacher name immature high schoolers nickname
Scroll down for the next article

Also From Memebase

Trending Now

4 sisters organize a Disneyland trip with their children and deliberately exclude 34-year-old Amanda, their 5th sister: ‘I reminded her of all her trips to Hawaii, San Diego, Colorado, and the Mall of America in Minnesota. She never invited us’

4 sisters organize a Disneyland trip with their children and deliberately exclude 34-year-old Amanda, their 5th sister: ‘I reminded her of all her trips to Hawaii, San Diego, Colorado, and the Mall of America in Minnesota. She never invited us’

01
31-year-old woman refuses last-minute childcare for her father’s girlfriend’s 6-year-old son after discovering their so-called emergency was just a movie date they didn’t feel like ending: ‘Don’t expect me to help you guys anymore’

31-year-old woman refuses last-minute childcare for her father’s girlfriend’s 6-year-old son after discovering their so-called emergency was just a movie date they didn’t feel like ending: ‘Don’t expect me to help you guys anymore’

02
‘I just don’t want to change the way we live’: Parents refuse to allow son and his girlfriend to move into their vacation home in Ireland, son goes dark on communication

‘I just don’t want to change the way we live’: Parents refuse to allow son and his girlfriend to move into their vacation home in Ireland, son goes dark on communication

03
‘We aren't comfortable sharing a 2-bedroom with 6 people’: In-laws offer to pay for family trip to celebrate granddaughter's birthday, hit everyone with a surprise bill, turning vacation dreams into budget nightmares

‘We aren't comfortable sharing a 2-bedroom with 6 people’: In-laws offer to pay for family trip to celebrate granddaughter's birthday, hit everyone with a surprise bill, turning vacation dreams into budget nightmares

04
Tolkien Tuesday: The Best Lord of the Rings Memes This Week (April 29, 2025)

Tolkien Tuesday: The Best Lord of the Rings Memes This Week (April 29, 2025)

05
Uncle promises to help pay for niece's college tuition, goes back on his word 8 years later now that he has his own child: 'Michael Scott did the exact same as you'

Uncle promises to help pay for niece's college tuition, goes back on his word 8 years later now that he has his own child: 'Michael Scott did the exact same as you'

06
Advertisement