People who tend to be nicknames are special friends or enemies, those in authority (teachers, officers, polisticians),and anyone who has achieved notoriety (especially criminals). It is an important index of intimacy when we feel comfortable in using someone's nicknames have come to be associated with particular surnames:
Chalky goes with White, Nobby with Clark, Spider with Webb , and Spud with Murphy. Some first names, likewise, have standard nicknames: Chuck (Charles), Menace (Dennis), spike (Michael). Hair colour (Ginger) or absence (baldy), spectacles (Four-Eyes), size (Tubby),and other features of physique or behavior have long been a prime source.