I just had a kid! His first name is an Italian one, but I'll leave conversations about the actual name for another post. My family is Italian on both sides, but my parents and I were born in America. For the last nine months or so I have been trying to learn about modern-day Italian nicknames but I haven't really found any information. I can't even figure out what word is the best translation for the word nickname.
Do Italian children have nicknames? Are they short versions of their full name, other related names, or just another name entirely bl that happens to be short? Or are they characteristics, like "tall" or "older" or "loud"? Are they assigned by the parents when they are very young, or chosen by the child, or assigned by friends? Are the chosen immediately or after you know the child's personality?
I'd be just as happy to read a reference about this. I just can't find one.
Thank you!
PS Part of the issue here is the name we chose doesn't really have a nickname. Since we don't know Italian culture as well as we'd like, we don't want to inadvertently choose a nickname that sounds silly.