Name calling is a form of verbal bullying and it represents one of the most common forms of bullying among school age children. It is difficult to control and there is dearth of literature concerning it in Nigeria. The objectives of this study are to determine the prevalence and the self-perception of name calling. Eight hundred and thirty eight (838) pupils aged 11 – 17years in six secondary schools participated in the study. Eligible and consented students willing to participate in the study were asked to complete the data collection tool (questionnaire) independently. Seventy-seven point four percent (77.4%) of the students had one nickname. Fifty one point nine percent (51.9%) of the total subjects that claimed to have a nickname said they like the name while thirty point seven percent (30.7%) said they do not like their nickname. Seventeen point four percent (17.4%) were indifferent about their nick name. Though, name calling is regarded as a form of verbal bullying which could be detrimental to health and development of the growing child, this has not been found to be correct with regards to the findings of this current study because a little above half of the respondents claimed they like their nick names and love being called by it.

Keywords: Name calling, Nickname, Secondary school pupils