[Darnright]

>One thing I’ve never heard in the Appalachians or the South in general is the nickname “Bubba”. But everybody associates that with the South.<

The preferred nickname in the more rural areas around my neck of the woods is “Junior”. Think Junior Samples of Hee Haw fame.

[Semper Mark]

"The preferred nickname in the more rural areas around my neck of the woods is “Junior”."

Junior is also sometimes used as a given name.

I went to school with a ol' feller (named after his father) who had the misfortune of having the name Junior Surname deleted Jr..

So, of course, he has gone through life being called "Junior Jr.".
Good gravy, what were his parents thinking.
I wouldn't do that to a kid for no man's money.