What nicknames are given to red haired people in your country? For example, in Australia, redheaded males are often called Bluey. This nickname originated from the Victorian Goldfields of the 1850s - 1860s. A large influx of Irish people saw a good proportion of redheaded men trying their luck. They soon gained a reputation as hard drinkers, hellraisers, and fighters. So much so that when a redheaded Irishman passed by, the comment followed "there goes a blue" i.e potential fight. Hence the nickname Blue, then Bluey followed. Women with red hair are called Rangas [ the colour of an orangutang]