In my family we are notorious for picking a name and then making as many nicknames out of that name as possible. Some of my dogs and their nicknames for examples:
Gracie- Gracie Lou Freebush ( I know weird, but it was after Sandra Bullock's character in Miss Congeniality), Gracie Girl, Grace)
Ripley- (Not after Ripley's Believe it or Not- but after Sigourney Weaver's character in Aliens) Rip a Roo, Ripley Girl, Rip Rip,
Hershey- (Hershey Bear, Hersh, Hersh Man, Herschel, Big Bear etc.) The variations are the fun part! You get the idea...
How about these names Samson (Sammy, The Sam Man, Sammy Davis Jr, etc.); Then there is Tank (Big T, Mr. T, Tonka Tank); Bear (Baby Bear, Big Bear, BB,); Goliath (Big G, Golley, G Man, Go Go Gadget... Ha!!) I think I am getting a little delirious. It's late here and has been a long day! Good Luck in chosing a name. As if you couldn't tell, I think that is one of the most fun things about getting a new dog. Matching their personality with a name!