Me and My Embarrassing Nicknames

July 25, 2018 in - 3 min read

We all have nicknames, right? Right. These are names that are given to us by our friends, family, classmates and sometimes partners too. To those who don’t already know, my name is Mbalenhle but people automatically call me Mbali right after I introduce myself. I always find it so disturbing when someone asks what my name is and I say it’s Mbalenhle then they are immediately like, “Oh hi Mbali!

Well, it’s just one of those things I just accept because that’s what we do as humans, you tell us you name and we instantaneously come up with an alternative name for you if your name is too long, sounds a bit funny or if you did/said something that we will never forget. These are my embarrassing nicknames and how I got them…

Madam

This was my first nickname ever. My aunts and uncles gave me this name, I was probably 7 or 8 that time. Apparently, they felt like the way I acted was very ‘boujee’ because I used to never want to be sent to do something, I was a quiet kid who didn’t see the need to interact with people and I would question why I need to do something. When my cousins wanted us to go play outside, I would stay indoors alone instead of going outside and getting dirty. Haha. I was such a clown. Funny (and embarrassing) thing is, my uncles still call me Madam and it’s so funny because they are so much older than me but they call me that.

Juicey

A year or two after I was given the name ‘Madam’, my aunt gave me the name ‘Juicey’. Again, embarrassing. I used to never understand why she called me that but as time went by, I understood and it is quite true about me… Have you seen how concentrated juice pours out into a cup/glass? Very slowly hey? And you can’t really rush things with juice because things will just go wrong. Haha. So yes, I am very slow – physically. Everything I do is done in an extremely slow pace hence the name Juicey.

MbiMbe, Mbi, MbaliMbo, Mbalo

Wow, the list is literally endless when it comes to the remixes my name has. I am called by either one of these names daily by my friends and mom always calls me MbiMbe when she wants favors, haha I hardly ever respond because I already know what’s coming after that!

Chaplin

This one came up when I was in the 10th grade (2012). Apparently, I behaved like Charlie Chaplin and besides that I just absolutely love him! Which is probably why I accepted the name even though it’s a guy’s name. What was odd is that my guy mates used this name more. I still get called by this name by some of them and one of my close friend has probably forgotten my real name because she never makes a mistake, she always calls me Chaplin.

Emkay (MK)

From primary to high school, there were 2 other people with the same name as mine. So, everybody figured it would be cool to not call meeee by my name and just refer to me as my initials instead. Wow! Quite a number of people have my name saved on their phones as ‘Emkay‘ or ‘MK‘ because hey, that’s my name right.

Small

This is what everyone who doesn’t know my name call me! Well, more specifically guys. Whenever I hear someone shouting out, “WeSmall” deep down I already know who they are talking to but do I respond? Haha, no. But then it’s just one of those things I don’t get mad over, I stopped growing physically at the age of 12 so I kind of got used to being called Small.

If you have any silly, embarrassing nicknames do share with me hence I feel better about mine.

That’s it for now, 1530659421291

22 Comments

  • Isiqhaza September 15, 2018 at

    😂😂 Don’t we all have those endless nicknames, but at the same they kinda reflect traits that people see in us.
    Great post Mbali 💓❤

    • Mbalenhle September 25, 2018 at

      That is very very true hey😅! I love my nicknames depsite how crazy they are 🤗. Thanks sis💖

  • SpiritualJourney17 July 29, 2018 at

    Interesting. At least you know the reasons behind the names. 😉. As a few others above questioned, I too am curious how you pronounce your name. Enjoy your week ahead! – Bernice

    • Mbalenhle August 5, 2018 at

      😂I took so long to respond because I was still trying to get help from my friends and they also couldn’t help me. It’s quite impossible to tell you how my name is pronounced via text 😄. I gotta thank my mother for complicating my life like this😅😅

  • Nicculent July 29, 2018 at

    I have a LOT of REALLY embarrassing nicknames too lmao, great post!”small” was hilarious!

    • Mbalenhle August 5, 2018 at

      ‘Small’ is like a default name people give you here in South Africa if you aaare small😄! Thanks for reading 🍃

  • Mphumeleli July 26, 2018 at

    we’ve all experienced a somewhat sort of stage in life where our names or rather my name, where it went totally oblivious because of these nicknames!

    HAHAHA! I think I shall address you as Madam from this day forth…

    • Mbalenhle August 5, 2018 at

      It even comes to a point where you feel like your own friends don’t know or have forgotten what your real name is hey😅!

      Please do not embarrass me more than I am already😄

  • Nontando Mazelem July 26, 2018 at

    Nice one Mballz. In high school my friends and my hostel mates used to call me Baby-short, baby-baby because I was short and looked like I was the youngest to them all.

    • Mbalenhle August 5, 2018 at

      😂😂I forgot to mention ‘Mbalz’ (although that’s not actually embarrassing, it’s kinda cool)! Braaa you and I were clearly the same in high school because I was super short (still am😭) and looked (and acted 😅) the youngest

  • Deshi Nenkinan Nehemiah July 26, 2018 at

    Haha Mbi or should I say Mbali😂😂

    I’ve had my fare share of nicknames

    • Mbalenhle August 5, 2018 at

      😅My uncle calls me Mbi. And in my language that means ‘ugly’😂💔! You have to tell me your nicknames 🤗

  • nerdywordybirdy July 25, 2018 at

    How do you pronounce your name? Tried to find recordings online but they are all different!

    • crazywriterof6 July 25, 2018 at

      I was curious about that myself!

    • Mbalenhle August 5, 2018 at

      😂I took so long to respond because I was still trying to get help from my friends and they also couldn’t help me. It’s quite impossible to tell you how my name is pronounced via text 😄💔. But you can call me Mbali like the rest. And that’s pronounced as ‘mm-ba-lee’ 😅

  • Jess July 25, 2018 at

    Haha
    Love this post. My friends used to give me nicknames all the time-Jessibus, Jerico, you name it 😁

    • Mbalenhle August 5, 2018 at

      As for Jerico😂😂!! Yaass! That’s the one I probably would’ve came up with too💕. Thanks for sharing Jess🤗

  • RITU RAJ July 25, 2018 at

    Well, it’s just one of those things I just accept because that’s what we do as humans, you tell us you name and we instantaneously come up with an alternative name for you if your name is too long, sounds a bit funny or if you did/said something that we will never forget. These are my embarrassing nicknames and how I got them…

    So true…. Same happened with me in highschool….

  • Kurian July 25, 2018 at

    Interesting Mbalenhie. Very sweet of you. And lovely photo ❤️

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    About Me

    About Me

    Hi and welcome! My name is Mbalenhle K but everyone calls me Mbali for short (say: mm-bah-lee). I am a freelance copywriter who loves all things art, experiences and aesthetics (big time Pinterest gworl 🧚🏽)! I am the founder of Budding Regardless where I talk about mindfulness, self-development and self-nurturing for creatives. Read More

    Mbalenhle K.

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