Why do Thai people use nicknames?

The practice of giving nicknames goes back to Sukhothai era, when babies were commonly named according to their birth order and appearance like big, small,fat, short etc.

During the Ayutthaya era it was common to give names of desirable characteristics or items, like gold, strong, brave etc. Some parents used astrological data or consulted monks to choose a proper nickname for a baby.

Nowadays the choice of nicknames is up to the personal preference of the parents. Some still use traditional naming conventions, while others choose nicknames based on what sounds pleasing to them.