Although too many to list - there is some "rhyme and reason" to the nicknames in Ireland - after awhile you just become familiar with them. However when it comes to a "pet" name put on someone it is because of something they always did, an occupation or even carried over from their father. It is a tradition of sorts. Maybe because there were too many Johns, Michaels and Toms. Examples of people I know: Bunny (he loved bunnies as a child), Gutherheels (his pant cuffs were always scuthered), Bugsy (he was a bit nutty), Doc (his father was a Doctor), Bucky (don't know the origin but he got it from his father who was also a Bucky), Checker (he wore checkered pants), Major (the local Major was gone and he acquired the name), Clippers (he was a barber) and loads more. Also, Elizabeth has been known to be Lee or Lillie (Lily) and the Irish as most Europeans tend to end names in "ie" rather than the American "y" as in Billie, Lillie, Lizzie, Joie, etc. Maybe someone knows the origin of that. Karin