Mary Ames Mitchell, San Rafael, California: My great-grandfather Knowlton Lyman Ames (1868-1931) played football for Princeton from 1886 to 1889. He earned the nickname “Snake” because as fullback he would weave through the opposing team’s defensive line. Snake Ames scored a record-breaking 730 points during his college career, winning him a place in the College Football Hall of Fame.

Lori Halfhide, Concordia, Kansas: When my great-grandfather William Oscar Thomas was an infant, his uncle looked at him and said, “Why, he looks like my old hound dog Tutes.” From that moment on, William was known as Tutes to everyone in his life.

Bonnie Larson, Bothell, Washington: My family has a tradition of nicknames. To name a few — my father, Wallace, was nicknamed Bud. His brothers George and Edwin were called Toots and Pete, respectively. My grandmother Alice was called Duckie. I married Roy, who was also called Bud.

Lita Karlstrand, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho: My maternal grandparents were both nicknamed Sandy. Somehow, people always knew which Sandy was referenced.

Marisa Palkuti, Scottsdale Arizona: I can thank a tax assessor for documenting my 4th great-grandfather’s nickname. To distinguish among several men named James Moore who lived in the same area of Kentucky, the assessor wrote “James Moore - Shifty Jim” on the ledger next to his name. I am still searching for the story behind the nickname.

Jean E. Peterson, Dubuque, Iowa: My great-grandfather Frank A. Hubbell was known as "Knobby" among his cronies who played cribbage daily at the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Hall. My father was an accountant; he was known as "Calculator" among the locals in Dexter and Watertown, New York.

Carol Austin, Garden Grove, California: My paternal grandmother, Carma Luona (Shields) Robinson (1895-1987), was always called “Babe” by her siblings. Her older brother William Aaron Shields was called “Brother.” Her older sister Bertha was called “Sister.” A younger sister, Virginia, who lived only to age 15, was nicknamed “Totsy.”