Top 20 Famous Personalities and Their Nicknames

History has been orally composed and written by well-known and lesser-known personalities. Their distinctive roles in political revolutions, sports victories, and science and art achievements have given them certain relevant nicknames. Here, we explore 20 famous personalities and the interesting stories behind their nicknames.
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, lovingly called Mahatma (meaning ‘Great Soul’), was the leader of the independence of India by practicing the concept of non-violence. His values of non-violence and truth led to peace and freedom globally which turned into his iconic legacy.
Sardar Patel was the key figure in integrating all the Indian provinces after independence. This unwavering leadership and determination of Patel to integrate more than 500 small princely states led to the designation of this title to him.
A brave nationalist and the chief of the Indian National Army, Bose was named ‘Netaji’ (meaning ‘Respected Leader’) because he was so patriotic and tried so hard to free India from the British."
The first Prime Minister of India was named "Chacha Nehru" (He is Uncle Nehru) as he had so much love for children. He was the key person who introduced Children's Day on November 14 in India.
A cricketer of India, Sachin Tendulkar with over 100 international centuries is considered to be the best sportsman ever. The fans praise him as the ‘God of Cricket’ for his incredible feat in the world of sports.
Einstein, as a scientist of extraordinary abilities, formulated the Theory of Relativity, which changed the whole world of physics. His work in the area of quantum mechanics and relativity laid the foundation for this honor.
In the face of his smaller size, Napoleon’s brilliance in warfare took him to conquer extensive territories across Europe. His soldiers affectionately demand he be called ‘The Little Corporal’ for the ‘hands-on’ leadership that he is known for.
During his tenure as the chairman of Tata Group, it was transformed into a global corporation. His moral values void of greed and business skills evinced him this prestigious title.
Dr. Kalam was the man who set the Indian missile and nuclear programs in motion. His contribution to the aerospace industry and defense sector cached him a hero scientist status as well as India's ‘missile man’.
Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known as Pele, is a soccer player who is considered the greatest footballer of all time. His extraordinary ability and three World Cup triumphs led to him being called ‘The King of Football.’
Her beautiful voice and her contribution to Indian music made Lata Mangeshkar be called the “Nightingale of India”. She not only recorded songs in Hindi but also in other languages.
Rabindranath was the first non-European to win the Nobel Prize in Literature and he was honored with the name ‘Gurudev’ (meaning ‘Respectful Teacher’) not only for his essays but also for his literary works and philosophy.
Missionaries of CCharitywas established by Mother Teresa in her mission to serve the poor and the sick. Her service among the sufferers in Calcutta called her the “Saint of the Gutters”.
During his lifetime, Bruce Lee became a master of martial arts and a popular action movie hero, with his speed, agility, and way of living his martial arts philosophy, a style that ended up being called “Dragon Style”.
Churchill was Prime Minister of the UK in World War II and was known for his decisive speech and bravery earning him the nickname ‘The British Bulldog.’
Jordan was one of the greatest basketball players in history. His ability to jump and perform breathtaking dunks led fans to call him ‘His Airness’.
Elvis changed the music industry forever with his unique voice and charismatic stage presence earning him the title of ’The King of Rock and Roll.
Bill Gates revolutionized the Computer industry as the co-founder of Microsoft. His contributions to technology and philanthropy earned him this title.
Bolt set multiple world records in sprinting as the fastest man in history - including the USA record. His speed and charisma led to his famous nickname, ‘Lightning Bolt’.
A legend of Bollywood, Amitabh Bachchan's immense presence and influence on the Indian film industry has earned him a common household name as 'Big B.'
Nicknames are not just names; they denote the influence and legacy of such great icons. Whether politicians, sportspeople, scientists, or celebrities, these individuals have left an unforgettable mark on history, inspiring future generations.