Genealogy Chat

Top tip - using the Genes Reunited community

Welcome to the Genes Reunited community boards!

  • The Genes Reunited community is made up of millions of people with similar interests. Discover your family history and make life long friends along the way.
  • You will find a close knit but welcoming group of keen genealogists all prepared to offer advice and help to new members.
  • And it's not all serious business. The boards are often a place to relax and be entertained by all kinds of subjects.
  • The Genes community will go out of their way to help you, so don’t be shy about asking for help.

Boards

Quick Search

Single word search

Tools

Findmypast DNA Banner

Icons

  • New posts
  • No new posts
  • Thread closed
  • Stickied, new posts
  • Stickied, no new posts

Interchangable Christian Names

Login to Add Reply Watch This
ProfilePosted byOptionsPost Date

Jan.

Jan. Report 30 Dec 2021 13:41

Does anyone know if the names Sarah and Nancy are interchangable?

I used to have a web link with interchangable names but can't find it now. Think it was on rootsweb before it closed down. Is there another similar website for that?

ErikaH

ErikaH Report 30 Dec 2021 14:05

Not normally

Nancy is a diminutive of Ann

Sarah’s main diminutive is Sally

BUT….families have always used ‘pet’ names which may not necessarily relate to the given name

greyghost

greyghost Report 30 Dec 2021 14:10

This site gives some ides

https://web.archive.org/web/20070717051046/http://www.nireland.com:80/anne.johnston/Diminutives.htm

Nancy is usually short for Ann/e/ie. My great aunt was Annie Ethel, known as Nance.

However, it could have just been a pet name within the family.

Jan.

Jan. Report 30 Dec 2021 14:11

Thanks for confirming that ErikaH,
I was just clutching at straws with some baptism entries. Will have to keep looking now! :-)

Jan.

Jan. Report 30 Dec 2021 14:15

Thanks for the site greyghost. I've saved the link now for next time I need it.

ArgyllGran

ArgyllGran Report 30 Dec 2021 15:01

One of my cousins was always known as Nancy - but her official name was Agnes.

Sadie is another diminutive of Sarah.

Researching:
Old genealogists never die.....they just lose their census.

Jan.

Jan. Report 30 Dec 2021 15:13

Thanks ArgyllGran - that's useful to know.

Kense

Kense Report 30 Dec 2021 21:18

There is a thread about alternative names
http://www.genesreunited.co.uk/boards/board/tips_board/thread/1017245
It is not as convenient as greyghost's link, but may include other variations.
It can be referenced from my stickied post on this board.

Jan.

Jan. Report 2 Jan 2022 17:53

Kense - just seen your reply - thanks very much for the link. Will save it as it will come in useful.