Traditions > Nicknames
Nicknames
Assigning nicknames (Spitznamen) was a part of the Volga German culture, and such names were commonly used in Norka.
A relatively small number of Christian or given names were used in the colonies. This often made it difficult to quickly identify two or more people who had the same given names and surnames. Nicknames provided a unique way to solve this problem.
Nicknames were generally only given to men and sometimes to families, but rarely to women.
Nicknames were derived from various sources such as occupation, family lineage, geographic location, economic status, or physical traits. Below are examples of Spitznamen from Norka (some spellings represent the dialect form).
A relatively small number of Christian or given names were used in the colonies. This often made it difficult to quickly identify two or more people who had the same given names and surnames. Nicknames provided a unique way to solve this problem.
Nicknames were generally only given to men and sometimes to families, but rarely to women.
Nicknames were derived from various sources such as occupation, family lineage, geographic location, economic status, or physical traits. Below are examples of Spitznamen from Norka (some spellings represent the dialect form).
Poste Krieger - Postman Krieger
Becker Krieger - Baker Krieger
Lechai Hannese
Reicher Schleining - Rich Schleining
Garte Krieger - A Kreiger who owned a large garden
Rote Brill - Redheaded Brill
Rote Schintler Lehl - Redheaded coat maker Lehl
Schneider Hahn - Tailor Hahn
Schuster Helzer - Shoemaker Helzer
Endrich Krieger - Duck Krieger (known for making duck calls in his youth)
Lamp öel Lehl - Lamp oil Lehl
Karamysh Miller - A Miller who had a mill on the Karamysh River
Kerb Sauer - The annual harvest festival (Kerb) was held at his house in the Mitteldorf of Norka
Dach Grabbler Schreiber - Roof Climber Schreiber
Lehrer Weber - Teacher Weber
Kurtze Weber - Short Weber
Russe Schlidt - Russian Schlidt
Sotnik Peter Heinrich - Constable Peter Heinrich
Pretzelmenja Weber - Pretzelman Weber
Windmühle Giebelhaus - Windmill Giebelhaus
Donner Hannes Burbach - Thunder John Burbach
Schmier Busen Burbach - Greasy chest Burbach
Georg Hucker Brill - George Brill from the village of Huck
Weisse Giebelhaus - Whitey Giebelhaus
Schwartze Giebelhaus - Blackie Giebelhaus
Stonehose Döring - Stonepants Döring
Schmier Döring - Grease Döring
Garte Hinkel - Garden Hinkel
Dicker Helzer - Rotund Helzer
Soujac Krieger - This Krieger was responsible for administering a whipping to those who broke the law
Schulmeister Lehl - Schoolmaster Lehl
Gerver Faigler - Leather Tanner Faigler
Windmühle Weidenkeller - Windmill Weidenkeller
Sources
Brill, Conrad. "Memories of Norka." Interview by George Brill. Print.
Burbach, William. "Nicknames (Spitznamen)."
Krieger, Marie. "Nicknames."
Burbach, William. "Nicknames (Spitznamen)."
Krieger, Marie. "Nicknames."
Last updated November 28, 2023