Nicknames

Some nicknames seem to be pretty common in Ethiopia.

For girls, these are some nicknames:

• MEE-mee (Mimi)
• MEE-too (Meetu)
• Eh-moo-YAY (Emuye)
• MEE-tah (Mita)
• Mah-MEET (Mamit)

For boys,

• Mah-MOOSH (Mamush)
• Ah-BOOSH (Abush)
• Ah-boo-YAY (Abuye)

Also, modifications can be made to given names.  Adding ish or sh on the end of the first part of the name indicates closeness or love.  For example,

• Birtukan becomes Birtush
• Tsintayo becomes Tsintish
• Tesfaye becomes Tesfesh
• Abraham becomes Abresh

You can also add “ye”or “uye” to the end of the first part of the name to indicate my.  For example,

• Temesgen becomes Temuye
• Bizunesh becomes Bizuye
• Tesfanesh becomes Tesfuye
• Denbelo becomes Denbuye
• Minteamir becomes Mintaye
• Tekle becomes Tekleye

You can add u (pronounced oo) to the end of the first part of the name to endear the person to you.

• Bamlak becomes Bamlu
• Tsege becomes Tsegu
• Tinsae becomes Tinsu
• Zernesh becomes Zeru
• Eskedar becomes Esku
• Mitike becomes Mitu
• Tariku becomes Taru

And, some are just the first part of the name (or adding a “ey” or “ay” sound on the end) similar to what we do to American names.

• Sisay becomes Sis
• Biniam becomes Bini
• Asnakech becomes Asnee
• Mengestu becomes Mengay
• Tsehayenesh becomes Tsehaye
• Hiwot becomes Hiwotay
• Meseret becomes Messy

The names given are just some examples.  Some names have more than one common nickname.

• Addis can be Addu or Addisiye.
• Mekdes can be Mekedu, Mekediye or Mekedish.
• Muluken can be Mulu, Muluye, Mulay or Mulish