Writing a girl's name in the newspaper

[#52 Psycho T]

There is a girl at a local school that we cover that has a nickname, "Monster". When people see her nickname in the story, they know who the girl is.

I recently asked the girl why they called her this and she explained. I asked what name she wanted me to use and she said her real name, "Lindsey".

At my former place of employment, I tried to use her real name "Lindsey", like she requested but the editor just changed it. I'm at a new place and will be covering her team Friday night but I'm kind've the low man on the totem, having just worked at this new place for just under two months.

My question is, would you use her real name- like she requested or her nickname?


The names in quotations aren't her nickname and real name, but rather made up ones to conceal her identity.

 

[JJHHI]

Definitely use her real name. Not only is it her <i>real name</i>, but it's also the name she prefers to go by.

 

[Angola!]

I would never use nicknames in a story. Especially at the high school level.

On a side note, why is her nickname Monster?

 

[forever_town]

Real name, possibly with "Monster" in quotes between the first and last names.

 

[WazzuGrad00]

Real name, possibly with "Monster" in quotes between the first and last names.

Unless you're writing for a fan site, don't use nicknames.

 

[BillyT]

I'd never use a nickname for a high school kid, except maybe in a quote from a teammate.

 

[DirtyDeeds]

Definitely use her real name. Not only is it her <i>real name</i>, but it's also the name she prefers to go by.

Right on the money. If that's her preference it isn't even a question ... and anyone who changes it needs to be called on it.

 

[Rhody31]

I'd only use a nickname if it was something normal - "'Junior" for example.
Monster ... I want to hear this one.

 

[Donegan17]

Unless she specifically asks to be referred to by a nickname only (a shortened version of their first name or initials or something) I wouldn't ever just go ahead and print it. I go by a nickname in my byline (initials) but my rule is the same thing I say to my editors: It's what my mom has called me my whole life. If it's good enough for her, it's good enough for print. Although Schnookums would probably be the exception there.

 

[DirtyDeeds]

I'd never use a nickname for a high school kid, except maybe in a quote from a teammate.

I just ran into that very recently. If you have to use it in that case, it would be Lindsey "Monster" Jones, as f_t points out.

 

[slappy4428]

If she goes by her given name, then use her given name. Period.

 

[Stitch]

And we wonder why we are losing readers the past 30 years. Were nicknames an issue 40 years ago?

 

[pallister]

If she gave herself the nickname, it doesn't count.

 

[DirtyDeeds]

And we wonder why we are losing readers the past 30 years. Were nicknames an issue 40 years ago?

We're losing readers because we care about getting something right? Makes perfect sense.

 

[Flowery Hatred]

... asks the guy whose handle is "Psycho T"

Yes, always use nicknames is stories. ALWAYS!!!!!

 

[Pete Incaviglia]

Real name. No debating this. Now, if her name is Bethany and she prefers Beth, use the former. EDIT: Oops. Meant the latter.

I cover some Patricks and some Matthews etc. and I always ask the first time I meet them "do you prefer Pat or Patrick?" and they usually say "doesn't matter." I respond with "hey man, it's your name. You tell me." Even though I'm secretly thinking "use the shorter of the two so I can save space."

 

[Small Town Guy]

I would never use nicknames in a story. Especially at the high school level.

On a side note, why is her nickname Monster?

Never Angola?

"Earvin Johnson scored 42 points to lead the Lakers to a victory in Game 6 of the NBA Finals Tuesday night."

And, trivia, it was a high school sportswriter who gave him the name Magic back in the 70s. I think it was a guy at the Lansing paper, who actually told Magic "The Big E is taken because of Elvin Hayes, and Dr. J is out because of Julius Erving, how about Magic?"

Obviously in this case though if she doesn't want to go by Monster, she shouldn't.

 

[Angola!]

I would never use nicknames in a story. Especially at the high school level.

On a side note, why is her nickname Monster?

Never Angola?

"Earvin Johnson scored 42 points to lead the Lakers to a victory in Game 6 of the NBA Finals Tuesday night."

And, trivia, it was a high school sportswriter who gave him the name Magic back in the 70s. I think it was a guy at the Lansing paper, who actually told Magic "The Big E is taken because of Elvin Hayes, and Dr. J is out because of Julius Erving, how about Magic?"

Obviously in this case though if she doesn't want to go by Monster, she shouldn't.

OK, I thought of that as I was typing it, well, not Magic, but ARod.

At the high school level I'd shy away from nicknames. In professional sports, there are situations where nicknames are OK.

Though, Magic is so common with him, that it is almost not a nickname.

 

[I Digress]

Real name. Next.

 

[Shaggy]

Wink Adams. Pacman Jones. Sasha Kaun. Catfish Hunter.

We use nicknames on first reference all the time.