Nicknames for Girls

  1. Loie
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "understanding"
    • Description:

      Unique and unusual as a nickname and a stand-alone name, Loie is a vintage choice worth reviving. It is traditionally used as a short form of Lois and Louise but would work as a nickname for any Lo- starting name, or even names such as Laura, Eloise, and Charlotte.
  2. Fliss
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Felicity
    • Meaning:

      "good fortune, happy"
    • Description:

      Gentle yet sassy, Fliss is a short form of Felicity that has the spark of Flick, the softness of Lissy, and the cutesiness of Fifi.
  3. Tibby
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Elizabeth
    • Meaning:

      "pledged to God"
    • Description:

      Cute and unusual as a nickname, but lacking the legs to stand on its own.
  4. Franny
    • Origin:

      Latin, diminutive of Frances
    • Meaning:

      "from France or free man"
    • Description:

      If Frances and Fran are too serious for you, and Fanny too saucy, you might like Franny, still identified by some with J. D. Salinger's Franny and Zooey stories.
  5. Zazie
    • Origin:

      French
    • Description:

      This jazzy French diminutive of Isabelle was first made famous by the title character of Raymond Queneau’s novel Zazie dans le métro, which was adapted into a film in 1960. It could also work as a nickname for Elizabeth or Susannah.
  6. Lil
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Lillian and Lily, flower name
    • Meaning:

      "lily"
    • Description:

      Spunky old vaudeville era nickname name suddenly sounds new again.
  7. Gabby
    • Description:

      Gabby is a feminine name that functions both as a standalone name and as a familiar diminutive for Gabrielle, Gabriella, or Abigail. Derived ultimately from the Hebrew name Gabriel, meaning 'God is my strength,' Gabby projects a friendly, approachable personality. The name rose in popularity during the late 20th century as parents increasingly chose casual-sounding names as official given names. Gabby carries a cheerful, energetic quality that often matches its meaning in slang as someone who is talkative. In sports contexts, the name gained visibility through notable athletes like Olympic gymnast Gabby Douglas. While maintaining its casual charm, Gabby offers versatility as its bearer can always opt for a more formal version in professional settings.

  8. Florrie
    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Florence and Flora
    • Description:

      A sweet Bobbsey-twin era nickname, fluffy and floral.
  9. Kota
    • Origin:

      English, Native American
    • Meaning:

      "allies, friends"
    • Description:

      Also used as an exclusively masculine name in Japan and India, as an English name, Kota likely derives from the poplar Dakota. Similar in sound and feel to Kali, Noa, Kora, Koa, and the aforementioned Dakota, it started to be quietly given to girls in the late 2000s.
  10. Flo
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Florence, Latin
    • Meaning:

      "flourishing, prosperous"
    • Description:

      Flo is an antiquated nickname not often used these days, possibly because "Aunt Flo" is a euphemism for a period.
  11. Sam
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Samantha
    • Meaning:

      "told by God"
    • Description:

      Sam as a name standing on its own was given to only 18 girls in 2021, versus over 400 boys. But as a short form it's appealing and down-to-earth for both sexes, and heard far more often: There were over 2500 baby girls named Samantha in the US in one recent year and more than 8500 boys named Samuel, so you will hear the name Sam a lot more often than you might guess judging by the numbers for this short form. Like the wildly popular Charlie, Sam is a nickname that works equally well as a girls' name as a boys'. All forms considered, Sam is still one of the most popular names that start with S.
  12. Sebbie
    • Origin:

      Short form of Sebastiane, Sebastia, and Sebastienne, Latin, Greek
    • Meaning:

      "person from Sebastia"
    • Description:

      A nickname style choice inspired by the popular boy name Sebastian, Sebbie has the zippy feel of Libby and Effie, the rugged charm of Stevie and Frankie, and the cutesy feel of Sunny and Mimi. Rarely used as a standalone name, it is borne by a (female) character in Ransom Riggs' book series, Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children.
  13. Zanna
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Susanna; Polish variation of Jane, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "lily or pledged to God"
    • Description:

      A feminine multicultural nickname name perfectly able to stand on its own, Zanna might technically relate to either Susanna or Jane, making it a flexible honor name for an ancestral Susan or Jane or even John.
  14. Tallie
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Talia, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "gentle dew from heaven"
    • Description:

      Tallie is a seldom-heard nickname name that, with the ascendance of Hallie and Callie, we might just be hearing more of.
  15. Hazy
    • Origin:

      Diminutive form of Hazel, English word name
    • Meaning:

      "the hazelnut tree; foggy, misty atmosphere"
    • Description:

      Weather inspired choices from Sunny to Stormi are currently in vogue, and Hazy could be a contender to replace 70s star Misty. Referring to fog and dry, dusty air, "haze" is an atmospheric phenomenon in which the visibility of the sky is obscured, in turn evoking imagery of hazy, summer days. Alternatively, it might be used a diminutive of popular Hazel, inspired by the likes of Daisy and Maisie.
  16. Magdi
    • Origin:

      Hungarian
    • Meaning:

      "from Magdala"
    • Description:

      Magdi is a cute Hungarian nickname name, short for Magdolna, the Hungarian form of Magdalene. While it isn't traditionally used on its own, its cute sound similar to stand-alone Magda or the familiar Maggie makes it an attractive choice. A notable namesake is Hungarian singer Magdolna "Magdi" Rúzsa.
  17. Rilda
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of names ending -rilda
    • Meaning:

      "battle"
    • Description:

      With a hint of ruggedness and strength about it, but quirky, retro vibes too, Rilda is a rare nickname name. Similar to Tilda or Hilda, it comes from names ending -rild or -rilda, such as Serilda, Everild, Arilda, or Astrild, though it might also be used for the likes of Sarahild, Reinhild, or Romilda. Regardless, it comes from the Old Norse or Germanic elements hildr and hilt, both meaning "battle".
  18. Drea
    • Origin:

      English diminutive of Andrea, Greek
    • Meaning:

      "strong and manly"
    • Description:

      Introduced via Sopranos star Drea (born Andrea) de Matteo, and catching on with a wider audience.