Now on iOS & AndroidSwipe baby names with your partner — match on names you both love.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play
Nameberry Logo
​
​

Nicknames for Boys

  1. Rico

    • Origin:

      Spanish, diminutive of Ricardo

    • Meaning:

      "dominant ruler"

    • Description:

      Consider this short form for your little Richard.
  2. Jordy

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Jordan

    • Description:

      A cutesy short form of Jordan that's never been overly popular. Pro Bowl wide receiver Jordy Nelson is one famous bearer.
  3. Monty

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Montague or Montgomery, variation of Monte, English, Spanish

    • Meaning:

      "mountain"

    • Description:

      Monty, a name with a World War II feel, is rarely used on its own in the US. But we're hearing rumblings of a comeback and think that Monty, whatever it's short for, is an adorable vintage nickname name of the future. It's already a hit in the UK.
  4. Tom

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Thomas

    • Meaning:

      "twin"

    • Description:

      Just like Sam and Ben, Tom could be revived as a simple, well liked name on its own. Tom, just Tom, is one of the Top 100 Boy Names in France
  5. Laurie

    • Origin:

      English diminutive of Laurence

    • Meaning:

      "from Laurentum or bay laurel"

    • Description:

      A sweet and sophisticated nickname which feels fresh again after many years in style limbo. For literature lovers, it brings to mind Theodore "Laurie" Laurence from Louisa May Alcott's Little Women. Another famous bearer is English actor Hugh Laurie.
  6. Chet

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Chester, English

    • Meaning:

      "fortress, walled town"

    • Description:

      Chet is an old-fashioned short form of Chester, that like Ned, Mac, Ted, and Wes, it has the potential to sound cool again. Country singer Luke Combs and his wife Nicole, certainly thought so as they chose Chet Wiley for their son in 2026, a sibling to Beau Lee and Tex Lawrence.
  7. Perry

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "dweller near a pear tree"

    • Description:

      It's a long time now since this casual but suave name was linked to velvet-throated, cardigan-sweatered singer Perry (born Pierino, son of Pietro) Como's day... and this could be the moment for a reassessment. Other Perry associations are designer Ellis and the fictional Perry Mason and Perry White. There is also the option of taking the long way round to Perry via the more substantial Peregrine or Percival.
  8. Abe

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Abraham. Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "father of multitudes"

    • Description:

      Old-time nickname that's following in the fashionable footsteps of cronies Jake and Sam. Abe feels both fresher and cuter -- which is maybe the same thing? -- than those choices right now. You can also get to Abe via Abel, which may prove a friendlier formal name than the gray-bearded Abraham.
  9. Dash

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Dashiell, meaning unknown

    • Description:

      Dash is a nickname that can stand on its own and sounds, well, dashing. Connected these days with Kardashian enterprises.
  10. Cap

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Description:

      The lead character of the Captain America movies, played by Chris Evans, is occasionally called Cap, short for "captain," but even he has a real name. (Steve Rogers, ICYC)
  11. Zack

    • Origin:

      Short form of Zachary or Zachariah

    • Description:

      As the common short form of Zachary or, more unusually, Zachariah, Zack is less intuitive than Zach or Zac in terms of spelling but clearer in terms of pronunciations. Maybe because it rhymes with Jack and Mack, it also feels more complete as a name. Some people also use Zack and brothers as a short form of Isaac.
  12. Alfie

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Alfred, English

    • Meaning:

      "wise counselor"

    • Description:

      Alfie is a Top 20 name throughout the British Isles, where retro nickname names are mega-popular, but it hasn't really been picked up in the US yet. Both Alfie and rising star Archie are spunky nickname possibilities with a bit of an English accent.
  13. Mickey

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Michael, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "who is like God?"

    • Description:

      Pugnacious and spunky like the young Mickey Rooney and the original Mickey Mouse, but virtually never given to babies today.
  14. Van

    • Origin:

      Dutch

    • Meaning:

      "of"

    • Description:

      Whether it's used as a short form or on its own, this jazzy midcentury name is poised for a comeback along with brothers Ray and Walt.
  15. Walt

    • Origin:

      German, diminutive of Walter

    • Description:

      A straightforward, down-to-earth nickname many Walters, from Whitman to Disney, have chosen to go by.
  16. Freddie

    • Origin:

      Dininutive of Frederick, German

    • Meaning:

      "peaceful ruler"

    • Description:

      Just the kind of casual, flippant nickname that upscale Brits are putting on their sons' birth certificates, but few U.S. parents are.
  17. Greg

    • Description:

      Greg is a masculine name that originated as a diminutive of Gregory, which comes from the Greek name Gregorios, meaning 'watchful' or 'alert.' While Gregory has been used since early Christian times, Greg gained popularity as a standalone name in the mid-20th century. It reached its peak usage in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s. Greg has a friendly, approachable quality with a classic yet casual feel. The name's brevity and straightforward pronunciation have contributed to its enduring appeal across English-speaking countries. Though less commonly given to newborns today than in previous decades, Greg maintains a steady presence and is recognized as both a complete name and a nickname.

  18. Rob

    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Robert

    • Meaning:

      "bright fame"

    • Description:

      Rob has claimed Bob's turf.
  19. Toby

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Tobias, Greek, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "God is Good"

    • Description:

      Sweet and spirited, kindly and handsome, posh and approachable, Toby is a versatile nickname, popular in the UK as a stand-alone choice, but familiar in the Netherlands and New Zealand too. In the US, it had its heyday in the 70s but has since been outranked by long form Tobias.
  20. Dewey

    • Origin:

      Anglicized variation of Welsh Dewi, nickname of Dafydd

    • Meaning:

      "beloved"

    • Description:

      Not heard since the 1980s, Dewey shot into the Top 20 in 1898 thanks to the popularity of Spanish-American War naval hero Admiral George Dewey. Dewey has subtle links to his Welsh roots and relation to father name David . The name was borne by the fifth century St. Dewi, patron saint of Wales. Later references include the namesake of the library Dewey Decimal System, a Donald Duck nephew, the younger brother on Malcolm in the Middle and Lemony Snicket character Dewey Denouement. It has a strong but dewy feel and is appealing enough to be ripe for a modern revival.

The Nameberry App Is Live

Nameberry app screenshot
Find your perfect baby name together in our app, now available on the App Store and Google Play.
  • Swipe through thousands of names with your partner
  • Names you match on are saved to your shared list
  • Get personalized recommendations that learn based on your and your partner's preferences
  • Partner with friends and family to find names you all love
  • Backed by Nameberry's 20 years of data around name preferences.
Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play
Nameberry app screenshot