Do you know where your first name comes from Is it the name of an animal like Leon (ion)? Perhaps it's the name of a flower or a month, like Rose or Julie (July)? Or is it the name of a jewel, like Ruby? Cultures have different reasons for giving names because of the sound or meaning, because it's the name of a famous person, or according to the child's birthday. Of course, our family and friends don't always call us by our full names-they use nicknames. Some nicknames are shortened names like Sam for Samuel or Sue for Susan. Other names change like Bill for William or Chuck for Charles Remember-don't call someone by a nickname unless they ask you to