australian culture and customs
find out how australians do things, how we see the world and the world sees us
20 ways we will change your name in Australia
If you have more than one syllable in your name, be prepared to lose all but one and possibly add a “y’ or ‘z’ to the end. If we don’t know your name, you might find it Anglicised (changed to an English name) Here are a few.
- Garry – Gaz or Gazza
- Amelia – Amy
- Emily – Em
- Barry – Baz or Bazza
- Nathan – Nate
- Sophie or Sophia – Soph
- Matthew – Matt or Matty
- Victoria – Vicki
- Jacqeline – Jac
- Elizabeth – Liz
- Steven or Stephen – Steve or Stevo
- Matilda – Matty or Tilly
- Evan – Ev
- Jasmine – Jazz or Jazzy
- David – Davo or Dave
- William – Wil, Bill or Billy
- Cooper – Coops
- Richard – Rick or Ricky
- Max – Maxi
- Helene – Hell (no, not really!)
australian culture and customs 
General rule of thumb (and not just for people’s names, either) – if it’s long, we shorten it; if it’s short, we lengthen it.
Very true.