What do Brits call soldiers?

Behind the Name: Why British Soldiers Were Called "Tommy"

If you have ever read history or watched a wartime drama, chances are you have heard a British soldier referred to as a Tommy. Far from being a random nickname, this term carries over a century of military tradition and shared identity.

The moniker actually stems from Tommy Atkins, a generic name used by the British War Office as early as the 19th century. Much like "John Doe" on official paperwork, "Tommy Atkins" appeared on sample forms and specimen booklets to show recruits where to sign their names. Over time, the troops adopted the placeholder as their own badge of honor.

The nickname reached its peak during the First and Second World Wars. Allied troops, civilians, and even enemy forces routinely referred to British infantrymen as "Tommies." Famous writers like Rudyard Kipling helped cement the name in popular culture through poems celebrating the resilience and humor of the everyday soldier.

While the full phrase "Tommy Atkins" has largely fallen out of everyday conversation, the tradition hasn't completely disappeared. Today, the shortened slang word Tom is still occasionally heard within the ranks of the modern British Armed Forces to describe a private soldier.