Nicknames of the pupils: onomasiological motivation

ENThe presentation analyses the nicknames of gymnasium students. The research aims at identifying the onomastic motivation of nicknames, i.e. the motives determining the choice for the structure and appellative meaning of nicknames. The research involves an onomasiological study of the nicknames. Dictionary definition and the motives for the choice of nicknames are taken into consideration in the process of investigating the motivation of the nicknames. Only those nicknames are discussed the motives of which were specified by respondents. The methodology selected will enable us to identify the most common motives for the creation of nicknames, the characteristic connotations and the typical features individualising students encoded in nicknames. The nicknames are classified into more detailed groups according to their motivation. The research reveals that nicknames are popular among students and they create the nicknames mostly because of exclusive features and in order to discern a person among others. Students believe that nicknames are a positive phenomenon. Keywords: nickname, students, onomasiological motivation, onomasiology, connotation.