If you think I am mad, just ignore this thread. But yeah, I really love the name Hephaistion. It’s pronounced like general’s name, [name]Alexander[/name] the Great’s close friend(I guess pronunciation is not an issue fr those who seen the 2004 movie “[name]Alexander[/name]”). And, what’s the most surprising, my boyfriend is on the board(either he really likes it or just thinks I have gone mad:))
The only problem is the absence of obvious nicknames. Everyone in my family has a nickname so I really need one for Hephaistion. Can you please help me with it? [name]Don[/name]'t be afraid of stretch, I don’t mind a bit. I would really appreciate some ideas since the name is so unusual and there is nothing I can get some help from besides Nameberry.
I’ve never heard the name before but I’ll try to help.
Hephaistion:
[name]Ian[/name] (from the [name]Ion[/name] ending)
Hephy
Astion (like [name]Bastian[/name] without the B)
[name]Tony[/name] (from the [name]Tion[/name] ending)
Thanks rocket, I really love [name]Ian[/name] and Astion. [name]Will[/name] take them into consideration:)
Oh, you’re a total nut 
Tio
Heff
Heffy
Feist
Stion/[name]Stian[/name]
[name]Ion[/name]
[name]Fey[/name]
As the name is derived from the god Hephaestus:
[name]Smitty[/name]
Yes, dear Otter, I am a nut. But very funny one:) Heff/Heffy, Stion and [name]Ion[/name] are so cool, thank you.
I also like [name]Smitty[/name] very much, thanks blade. And I like Hephaestus as well, don’t know for sure if I am brave enough though.
Thanks again ladies:)
I love it, and if you’re brave enough for Hephaistion, why not Hephaestus? I would have spelled it Hephaestion (even though it’s not how it’s spelled in the movie) simply to make it easier to pronounce and to make it more similar to Hephaestus. But anyway:
From previously mentioned, I like [name]Ian[/name]/[name]Ion[/name] as a nice normal nickname. The only other one I can think of is [name]Tion[/name]. I love [name]Smitty[/name] too. Very neat. Anyway, I love the name. 
Thanks dantea, [name]Tion[/name] is very nice. And why not Hephaestus? Oh, that’s because my weird SO almost vetoed all God/[name]Goddess[/name] names. He thinks they’re odd though he likes royal names…And I could get him on board with Hephaistion, yay! Another plus is that now I can show him all these “normal” nicknames - sure he will be happy with them
Well that’s a good reason for not using Hephaestus. 
In any case, I’ve been in love with Hephaistion since I saw that movie (and I’m a use history nerd so there’s that also) and I just can’t get my husband to like it. You use it girl!