Nicknames

[smallandneedy.livejournal.com]

I've been reading this LJ for a few weeks now, and whenever people decide on a name, they decide nicknames or want people to suggest nicknames and so on.

My question is: Why?

I'm from Norway, and giving people a nickname isn't really anything we do. Of course, within families there's always the occational nicknames for teasing and just for fun, but lets say if people name their kid Madeleine or Elisabeth, they actually call them that as well.

I've always thought nicknames are just a way of being lazy, but I really want to know why you pick nicknames for your kids, and not just name them whatever you nickname them, since that's what they're gonna go by anyway.

And, um, sorry if I come off as rude or anything. I'm just wondering :)