Polish given names

Polish names, always subject to many questions asked by foreign people.
Let's handle the given names this time.

My work in the Netherlands
If you have been working in logistics and warehousing for many years, the chance is pretty big that you worked with Polish people. Since graduating at university I have been working with them.

Next to the fact that they are excellent forktruck drivers, fast and accurate assembly line operators, order pickers, quality controllers (you name it), they are just good company. My motto is that the best is to work hard and make fun hard in this fast moving and hectic environment of logistics. I keep very nice memories to this time.

Nicknames, informal names, short names
So before visiting Poland I already knew most of the nicknames for official names.
I call it nicknames but that does not cover it completely. Calling it their informal name also is not completely right. It's just a short version.

My informal name in the Netherlands is Vince or Vinnie, but you really need to be close to me to use that name. In Poland Katarzyna is Kasia, you can use it pretty quick after getting to know the person. I would not introduce myself as Vinnie; my wife does introduce herself as Kasia in most occasions, not as Katarzyna.

Eastern bloc
These short names are not unique, it is normal in East Europe, Slavic and Balkan countries. I remember working with people from Czech Republic and Slowakia, they also use these short names. Although I believe Poland really is hardcore compared to those other countries.

You can compare it with the thing happening to some male English names, for instance William: Bill, Robert: Bob, Richard: Dick, James: Jim. However, this really is a light version compared to the Polish version, it's just a few.

Examples
A lot of Polish female names have a shorter version, male names also but a bit less. Some of these make perfect sense, some of them a tad less.

A few examples.

Katarzyna: Kasia
Joanna: Asia
Aleksandra: Ola
Arkadiusz: Arek
Andrzej: Jędrek
Sławomir: Sławek

Complicated?
Not really, Poland does not use so many different first names like in the Netherlands. They are more classic and do not invent these ridiculous Dutch new names. Also their use of foreign names is very limited. There are only a few short names which do not have much resemblance with the connected given name.

Beware
Some of the names have even more than one short form, so besides Asia you call a Joanna: Joasia, Asiunia, Asiunia, Aśka or Joaśka (beware, though. A lot of women despise to be called like the last two versions, the ones ending with -ka).

My name
Out of curiosity I checked the Polish equivalent for Vincent, my name.
It is Wincenty, short versions are Wicek or Witek. Well, call me Viniu instead, better. That's how many Polish friends and acquaintances call me. Or Vienio ;-)