I need an elegant/stately name with a snappy/brisk/sleek nickname.

[east93]

I like the Isobel Victoria nn Ivy idea!


Katharina nn Kit?

[briar]

Wow thank you so much for your responses everyone! I like a lot of the ideas, my favorite possibilities are:

Cornelia “Nell” I really like this but I already have a character named Nell.

Eleanore “Elle” is cute but I think Elle is too feminine, or maybe too Elle Woods for a blonde character.

I love Antoinette and Andie but I think Andie is a little too playful. I need something more serious.

Nicolette is one of my favorites and I love the suggestions of Nic and Colt, but I think Nic might be too generic and Colt is too country.

Georgette is another one I love for her, but don’t think any nickname fits.

I really like Toby, but can’t think of a full name (I can’t use October for this character, maybe for another book though, it’s very cool.)

Francesca is one of my favorite suggestions, but Chess and Frankie don’t feel quite right.

Liv is a great nickname, but I dislike the popularity of Olivia. Maybe Lavinia? .

Love Theodore “Theo.” Definitely a possibility. Toby might even work for Theodore as a stretch.

Romy or Remy would be great for her (I actually love these!) but too many similar sounds of her best friend’s name.

Wilhelmina is love! Unfortunately one of my other characters is Willa.

I really like Penelope for her, I think I’d use Penn (Poppy is my favorite for Penelope but doesn’t suite her).

Genevieve is great, but don’t like any of the nicknames for her.

Cordelia is awesome and I do really like “Cordy.” I worry though that it’s too playful for her.

Clementine and “Lemon” are really cute! That is a close fit. Lemon reminds me of Hart of Dixie though, that’s the only place I’ve ever heard it, and that Lemon and my Brett have a couple similarities.

I like Quinn, but is it too Glee? Maybe Quincy. But I don’t like Quintessence, would Jacqueline work in a stretch?

Juliette would be wonderful. I’d use “Jett” but that starts with a J, which I’d like to avoid. Ette/Etta is cute, and while I love it I think it’s too old fashioned for her nickname.

Reese is another nickname I love even though it starts with an R which I wanted to avoid. I’d consider it if I found the right full name.
I love Katharina and Kit. But is Kit too close to all the Kat/Kate’s in YA lit these days?

I love the suggestions for Rhett, that would fit perfectly, but my little brother is named Rhett. He was mad that I used the similar Brett for a girl, lol!

The suggestions that are closest to what I’m looking for are:

Nicknames without a full name that fits: Toby, Liv, Quinn/Quincy, Reese… but I’m not sure that any are quite, I don’t know, classy enough?

Names I like but don’t have a nickname that fits: Nicolette, Georgette, Juliet/Juliette, and Katharina.

The ones with both full name/nickname potential: Penelope “Penn,” Cordelia “Cordy,” Clementine “Lemon,” though I still have reservations about all of them.

I do still like Isobel Victoria “Ivy” but is Ivy strong and snappy enough?

Geez it’s hard to rename a character you’ve spent years with!! Thanks again everyone! If you have any more ideas please post!

[lakin5]

Tabitha nicknamed Toby!

[diana_m]

I just read your feedback on the names already considered and I want to suggest the nn Kessa to go with Francesca (over Chess or Frankie). I know a Francesca nn Kessa and she has many of the personality qualities you described.

I will say that I love Isobel Victoria nn Ivy!

[jame1881]

Ivy is definitely snappy to me. I've seen Upstairs, Downstairs, the new version, and the maid Ivy is a spunky jazz girl.
Livia could be for Liv, if you don't like Lavinia, or even Elizabeth as a stretch.
Quintessa instead of Quintessence?
I knew a Georgette who went by Gerry, but that doesn't seem like the nn you're looking for.
For a new suggestion, I like Evangeline nn Eve/Eva/Evie.

[spunkiedoodle]

I know a Felicity who goes by Flick.

[rin]

Christabel/Christobel nn. Toby?
Abrietta nn. Brett.......unless the nn of the original character was the problem.
Albertine nn. Bert...?
Eugenia/Eugenie nn. Gene?
Melanie nn. Lane

[capri]

What about Cressida nn Sid or Ida?
Vivienne nn Viv?
Carlotta nn Carly or Lot?
Emmeline nn Em or Emmy?

[mcdonak1]

My first thoughts were Augusta and Gus or Dorothy/Dorothea and Dot.

[jasmine.lee]

Ooh, Charlotte nn Lottie?