As early as birth, Thai girls are given a nickname by their parents. This nickname is a shortened form of their given name or it can be the name of an animal, fruit, color, taste, or object in space.

When girls begin school, they can be given other nicknames based on their size, height, and skin color.

Schoolgirls begin studying English in primary school, and at this time some of them will take on an English name or nickname, especially if they are enrolled in an English Program type of immersion study. Some of the names are traditional western names; however, quite a few of the nicknames are very colorful, unusual, and even funny.

Some students of mixed nationality will use Chinese or Japanese given names or nicknames.