Maybe because Nameberry attracts such serious name lovers, many visitors to the site can’t settle for choosing just one name for their babies.

I’m not talking about the trend toward picking two middle names but about the taste for baby girl names that have two very different versions: a classic, elaborate, elegant, formal name with a cute, modern, spunky nickname that may be very distinct in sound and feel.

These two-for-one names seem to work best for girls, as evidenced by a recent message board rundown of the possibilities.  And of course it’s a phenomenon we’ve come across frequently on Nameberry before.

Many parents, in fact, say they’re only interested in baby girl names that go two ways.  And most don’t want to settle for the obvious, traditional short form — Penny for Penelope, for example — but are seeking a proper name and an inventive short form.

Some examples of fresh two-for-one names for girls, with thanks to our wonderful berries for some of these creative ideas:

Alexandra — Lexi or Sasha

Araminta — Minty

Aurelia — Goldie

Beatrix — Betty or Trixie

Cecilia — Cece or Lia

Colette — Coco or Lettie

Dorothea — Dottie or Teddie

Francesca — Chessy or Frankie

Georgia — Gia or Gigi

Guinevere — Evie or Winnie

Helena — Lena or Nell

Henrietta — Etta or Hatsy

Jemima — Jemma or Mimi

Josephine — Posy or Sophie

Juliet — Jet or Lulu

Isadora — Dory or Sadie

Letitia — Lettie or Tia

Luciana — Lux

Marguerite — Daisy or Maisie

Mariana — Mia or Minnie

Matilda — Millie or Tillie

Natalia — Tali

Octavia — Tavi

Olympia — Pia or Polly

Penelope — Nell or Poppy or Pippa

Persephone — Percy

Susannah — Sanna or Sunny

Wilhelmina — Minnie

Winifred — Freddie

What are YOUR favorite two-for-one baby girl names?