Updated November 2023
Across 34 pages
of 34
Short form of Jessica, Hebrew
"behold or wealthy"
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…
Latin form of Alfonso
"noble and ready"
This Latinized form of a name that's well used in Italy and Spain is sometimes heard, oddly enough, in Ireland.
Short form of any name that ends in -berto
To the Anglo ear, Beto may not make sense as a short form of Gilberto, Roberto, or Alberto. But it is, and the o-ending makes is friendly, sleek, and modern.
Short form of Amapola, Arabic
"poppy"
Pola is an international name that still bears the femme fatalish air of Polish-born silent screen vamp Pola Negri, whole birth name was Apolonia. Rarely used, she could join sisters Lola and Nola.
Short form of Anastacia or Eustacia
This short form can stand on its own, perhaps because of the familiarity of Stacy, of which it may also be a variation. But Stacia feels somehow more modern and stylish than 60s-style Stacy. Stasia…
Short form of Dorotea or Mattea
"gift of God"
As Theo and Thea get more popular, so do Teo and Tea, short forms of the Latinate variations of Theodore and Matthew -- which include Dorotea and Mattea. But like Theo and Thea, Tea can stand…
Short form of Ursula, Latin
"little female bear"
Ursa might be a good choice if you're looking for a bear name for your daughter but want to avoid the She Witch curse placed on Ursula by Disney's The Little Mermaid . Too bad, because Ursula is a…
French form of Veronica
"true image"
Veronica seems poised to rise again, along with many other V names, and with it may follow this more romantic French version.
French form of Apollonia, feminine variation of Apollo, Greek mythology name
"destroyer"
Apolline is a luscious French name chic in Paris -- it's a Top 100 name for baby girls in France -- and ripe for the plucking in the English-speaking world. Derived from the mythological name Apollo,…
Short form of Konstantinos, Greek form of Constantine
"steadfast"
Kostas makes the ancient emperor's name more approachable.
Ukrainian form of Matthew, from Hebrew
German form of Maurice
"dark-skinned"
The unusual-to-the-English-ear Moritz is a Top 25 name in Austria and a form of Maurice or Morris, which are modern variations of the ancient Roman Maurus. There were several early saints named…
Short form of Sidney, French
"Saint-Denis"
Sid originated as a nickname for Sidney, but we like it on its own, a la Sara Quin's and Jason Biggs and Jenny Mollen's sons. Sid Vicious, member of the band the Sex Pistols, gives this name a punk…
Short form of Stanley
"near the stony meadow"
One of the old-school nicknames -- think Ray, Vince, Frank -- that's on the brink of coming back into style. Name him Stanislav or Constantine and he'll have a groovier long form to fall back on.
Polish form of Andrew
"manly"
Variation of Basil, Greek
"royal"
Vasilia is likely an alternative transcription of the Greek name Vasileia, or the Serbian and Macedonian Vasilija, which if you follow their etymological roots, eventually originate from Basil,…
Spanish form of Casimir, Polish and Slavic
"destroyer of peace"
All names Cas are cool right night, from Cassius to Cassian to Caspian to, yes, Casimir and its Latin form Casimiro. An attractive possibility in this appealing group.
Latin, feminine form of Ambrose
"Immortal"
Ambrosia combines some of the more whimsical qualities of more popular Aurora and Isabella, with a heavenly meaning. In Greek mythology, Ambrosia was not a goddess or other figure but literally the…
Scottish form of Columba, Latin
"dove"
Callum is virtually unused for girls in the US, but we could easily see it fitting in with other boy names for girls such as Elliot, Asher, and August.
Short form of Katherine or Catherine
"pure"
An alternative spelling of Katy, if you're more of a C person.