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Names by Nickname

  1. Tracy

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "of Thracia"

    • Description:

      In the Top 25 in the unisex seventies, these days Tracy would more likely be Gracie.
  2. Lupe

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "wolf"

    • Description:

      A nickname name heard in Spanish-speaking cultures, might lead to "loopy" jokes here.
  3. Denny

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Dennis

    • Description:

      Fast-food chain, no longer a baby.
  4. Vinny

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Vincent

    • Description:

      Best left at the Jersey Shore.
  5. Claude

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "lame; enclosure"

    • Description:

      Yes, we tend to think of Claude as a male name and Claudia and Claudette as the female, but this ancient clan name is used in France for girls as well as boys, and could make a distinctively chic boy name for girls here too. You may be surprised to know that Claude was in fairly regular use for American girls in the 1880's and nineties, reaching as high as 553 in 1880.
  6. Jess

    • Origin:

      Short form of Jessica, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "behold or wealthy"

    • Description:

      Many variations of Jessica, including Jessie and Jessa, are used on their own, but Jess is an exception, given to only a handful of baby girls last year. But Jess is certainly the name that many Jessicas are called.
  7. Gray

    • Origin:

      Color name

    • Description:

      This color name, spelled either Gray or Grey is rapidly catching on. Actress Jenny von Oy recently called her daughter Gray Audrey.
  8. Iori

    • Origin:

      Japanese, Welsh

    • Description:

      In Welsh, a diminutive of Iorwerth. As a Japanese name, Iori stands alone.
  9. Jock

    • Origin:

      Scottish variation of Jack

    • Description:

      This is a Scottish pet form of John, the equivalent of Jack in England. Has long been used as a generic name for a Scotsman, here it's a generic name for a--well--jock.
  10. Pete

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Peter

    • Meaning:

      "rock"

    • Description:

      Sixties-style short form that sounds cool again -- though the unscrupulous Pete on "Mad Men" is not a character to emulate.
  11. Penna

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "feather"

    • Description:

      Occasionally heard in England, rarely here.
  12. Toby

    • Origin:

      Female diminutive of Tobias, Greek from Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "God is good"

    • Description:

      Toby is an early unisex name with a Shakespearean pedigree; when used for a girl it retains its tomboyish quality. Fits well with the growing trend of boyish nicknames for girls -- alongside rising choices like Frankie and Stevie. Toby peaked as a girl's name in 1936 and was last on the charts in 1975. Though, it's been slowly rising in recent years with nearly 100 baby girls named Toby in 2023.
  13. Pim

    • Origin:

      Dutch diminutive of Willem or William

    • Meaning:

      "resolute protection"

    • Description:

      Pim is traditionally a male nickname in the Netherlands, but its relative obscurity in the US would allow you to get away with using it for a daughter. This name has never been recorded in the US - for boys or girls. But it's style match with other slim, boyish nicknames for girls like Lou and Scout means Pim may not stay off the grid for much longer.
  14. Riah

    • Origin:

      Short form of Zachariah, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "The Lord has remembered"

    • Description:

      If you think there are too many Zachs around, you can use this historic nickname for Zachariah instead, though it does have a somewhat feminine feel.
  15. Aggie

    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Agatha and Agnes

    • Description:

      Mauve-tinted nickname with vintage charm that could just follow in the footsteps of ABBIE. More prominent now as the nickname for the Texas A&M sports teams.
  16. Hardy

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "bold, brave"

    • Description:

      Hardy is a spirited and durable un-Germanic German surname that is starting to be used in this country.
  17. Tavie

    • Description:

      Tavie is a delicate feminine name with multiple potential origins. It may be a diminutive of Octavia, derived from the Latin word for "eighth," or it could be a Scottish pet form of names containing "tav" like Gustava. In some cases, it appears as a short form of Octavie, the French variation of Octavia. This short, sweet name carries a vintage charm that feels simultaneously old-fashioned and fresh. Tavie has never been common in mainstream usage, remaining a rare choice throughout recorded naming history. Its brevity and soft sound give it an appealing femininity without being overly frilly. The name's uncommon status makes it attractive to parents seeking something distinctive yet accessible, with historical roots but a modern feel. Tavie's gentle sound and vintage quality offer a unique alternative to more popular short names.

  18. Rick

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Richard, Frederick

    • Description:

      Last cool when Bogie roamed Casablanca.
  19. Desi

    • Origin:

      Short form of Desiree, French

    • Meaning:

      "desired"

    • Description:

      Desi makes Desiree a lot cuter and more boyish.
  20. Sanna

    • Origin:

      Swedish, Finnish, Inuktitut

    • Meaning:

      "lily"

    • Description:

      If you're ready to move beyond Anna and Hannah, consider this traditional Scandinavian short form of Susanna, historically very popular in its native lands.