Nickname help - for a short story I'm writing

[crosseyedcookie.livejournal.com]

Do you think "Tess" can work as a nickname for Esther? Kind of the way Ted is for Edward.

Just for fun, the rest of the family
Sister: Elizabeth "Bess"
Mother: Ruth
Father: Leonard
Last name: still deciding between Kupferberg or Moskowitz. Set in Montreal.

Comments

[penguiny7.livejournal.com]

It could, you can always apply the same medieval nickname principle. That's why I would use Nell as a nn for Elizabeth, even though traditionally it's used for Helen or Eleanor.

This is clearly for a story, so I wouldn't care if the sisters went by Bess and Tess. Why do you want to use Esther, though? What's wrong with Theresa for your character?

[crosseyedcookie.livejournal.com]

For one, they're Jewish, so I wanted a Biblical name.
I also feel her more as an Esther than a Teresa, even though I like both names, I just don't think the Kupferbergs would name a daughter that.
Also, I'd like to pay homage to Esther Greenwood in The Bell Jar.

[penguiny7.livejournal.com]

I wondered if maybe they were Jewish based on the surnames you were considering. :) I definitely think an Esther could go by Tess, especially since it already has that T sound in it.

[tatredbutrfly.livejournal.com]

That's interesting. I see no reason why Tess couldn't be a nickname for ester,using that reasoning. I never realized ted was short for Edward. Learn something neww every day..

[malsywals.livejournal.com]

does she need to have a nickname?

[coneygoil.livejournal.com]

This made me think of a character on One Life to Live. Her name is Jessica, but she has two multiple personalties named Tess and Bess.