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Design Guide 3 min read
Putting a Nickname on a Headstone: Formats and Examples
How to include a nickname on a headstone — in quotation marks, as the main name, or on its own line — with examples and tips for keeping it clear.
Sometimes everyone knew them by a different name. A nickname makes a stone feel truly theirs.
Common formats
| Format | Example |
|---|---|
| In quotes between names | ROBERT "BUD" WILSON |
| On its own line | "Bud" |
| As the main name | BUD WILSON (legal name on the back) |
| With "known as" | Robert Wilson, known to all as Bud |
Tips
- Quotation marks make clear it is a nickname.
- Keep the full legal name somewhere on the stone for records.
- Short nicknames fit neatly between first and last names.
Key Takeaways
- Quotation marks are the standard format.
- Keep the legal name somewhere on the stone.
- Nicknames make a memorial personal.
Next Step
Try it in the Design Studio.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you put a nickname on a headstone?
Yes. Nicknames are commonly placed in quotation marks between the first and last names.
Should the legal name still be on the headstone?
It is wise, for records and genealogy — on the front or the back.
How do you write a nickname on a headstone?
For example: ROBERT "BUD" WILSON.
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