rappers are little?

Is that what they're trying to get across to us when they name themselves lil __(fill in the blank)__. 

I mean, what's up with that? Lil Wayne I can see, he is a little man. Short I mean. However, do you really want to define yourself by your height/whatever else lil entails (no judgement). But all of them do it. Lil Bow Wow, Lil Romeo, etc. etc. 

Are they trying to tell us something about themselves that we don't already know? 

Ponder that one for a hot minute!