Hypocoristic nicknames in German

In the German onomasticonmost scientists include hypocoristic names into nicknames. Within hypocoristic names R. Frank distinguishes secondary names,which are derivative forms of official names, and primary names formed from appellatives, which characterize a person named by anyfeature, and have no relation to the official names. Means of metaphor and metonymy take the leading role in the building of primaryhypocoristic names. Thus there are different ways of creating hypocoristic names by means of metaphor and metonymy: 1) animalnames (Mauslein, Barenkind, Schneckle, Hasemutter, etc.); 2) fairy tale names (Prinzessin, Mickey, Vini); 3) plants names (Honigknospe,Roschen); 4) hypocoristic names which characterize person's appearance (Zwergin, Dicke(r)/(n), Zahnchen); 5) appellativesreferring to character features or behaviour (Dictatress, Brullaffchen); 6) names of something enjoyable, delicious, sensual(Engel(chen), Zuckerperle); 7) names of uncertain etymology or without any etymology (Schnuggibutzi, Nimu-Primu). In the aspectof gender hypocoristic names can be classified as follows: 1) special words indicating gender (Burschi, Mannlein, Herr / FrauleinJager, Tigerpapa, Mamabar). However, while referring to children, it is difficult to determine gender (Mausekind, Babybar); 2) theGerman grammar helps to identify gender (Su.e / Su.er, Tigerin / Tiger, Mauserich); 3) names, which do not show gender. They mayapply to individuals, both male and female (Schatz(i), Hasenzahn, Unfugi, Schnuddl). All the hypocoristic names must carry out theirmain function - the emotive one - to express tenderness, sympathy towards a person named, since, as W. Seibicke says, "motivation forsuch names does not play such a big role as the emotional meaning that is typical for them - sometimes "completely meaningless" -sound signs". They can also carry out other additional functions, such as estimative (both positive and negative), naming and characterizingfunctions. Hypocoristic names are very individual. They depend on the imagination of the naming person, and the means areunlimited. As the word "hypocoristic" speaks for itself, hypocoristic names are the manifestation of verbal affection and tenderness. Sothey cannot be malicious or offensive. This explains a very wide use of hypocoristic nicknames that certainly can serve as a proof oftheir relevance.

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