The article presents information on the use of formal names versus nicknames in the context of personal ads. There is conflicting evidence concerning the role of additional information on impressions that arise from names. In a study conducted, the pairing of formal names and nicknames with personal ads was done, to determine whether the effects of names could be modified by information other than photographs. The participants were 80 adult females who were enrolled in psychology courses at Clemson University. The participants were told, via a letter presented at the beginning of the test session, that the study would evaluate first impressions, their responses would be kept confidential, and that they should not include any identifying information on the survey. In the name-only condition, 40 participants rated 30 male targets in with formal names and 15 with nicknames-on 9-point Likert scales of popularity, morality, successfulness, and cheerfulness. In the personal-ad condition, 40 different participants also rated the formal names and nicknames, but the names were embedded in ads that we had taken from the personals section of a local newspaper and modified. Nearly all nicknames were shorter versions of their corresponding formal names.