Nicknames

[marie]

i have found both Polly and Fanny being used as 'nicknames' for girls born Mary Ann. Does anyone know why? Also would a woman be listed by such a nickname on her children's baptisms and her death certificate? Or would those have the given name. I'm trying to find my g?grandmother(maiden name) who is listed as Fanny on her DC in 1838 and I'm beginning to wonder if this was not her given name but rather a nickname.

[grangers14]

My thoughts... it could well be a nickname but the person giving the information for the death certificate may only know them as that.
Information on a death certificate is only as good as the knowledge the person who is giving it has.
This site is mainly for Scottish names but is also helpful for English too.

http://www.whatsinaname.net/

It says this
Fanny (female)

Pet Name for: Euphemia (F) Frances (F) Stephanie (F)

Source(s): The Oxford Names Companion, OUP
"Scottish Forenames" - Donald Whyte, FGH, FSG

Notes: English pet name for Euphemia, Frances or Stephanie [q.v.]. Sometimes used as a given name in its own right.


Polly (female)

Pet Name for: Mary (F) Paula (F)
Derivative of: Molly (F)

Source(s): "Scottish Surnames" - Donald Whyte, FGH, FSG
"Scottish Forenames" - Donald Whyte, FGH, FSG
Personal correspondent [MB]
Notes: The use of Polly - derived from Molly - as a widely-used pet name for Mary is supported by MB who sent us a transcription of a letter dated 1796 in North Carolina, USA. In the letter a child named Mary is frequently referred to as "Polly".

[marie]

Thank you so much for the information
Her husband was still alive at the time she died so it looks as though she was named Fanny.
Nuts - I had a possible marriage for a Mary
Guess it's back to trolling parish records
Thanks again for the name information, I think its going to be very useful, especially that website

[Annie]

Hi Maria

My GG.Grandma was baptised Nancy , married certificate says Fanny , and was Nanny when she died., they make it so confusing.

Annie

[grangers14]

As this is being covered on a sticky thread this will be archived.
Jo