In Arab society people are known by the name of the first born.
Abu Jihad is the father of Jihad; Oum Jihad is the mother of Jihad.
It was when my kids started child care how it developed. "Oh you're Alex's Dad!"
"Yes, you must be Charlotte's Mum."
Abu Alex means "father of Alex" so it can't be shortened to Abu which means father (I'm not a priest, either) nor Alex, becaus ethat's by first born son's name.
I know Australian's love to shorten names, but that's why I have one that can't be.
