Updated November 2023
Across 4 pages
of 4
Latin, diminutive of Dulcibella
"sweet"
A sweet-meaning and sounding name dating back to the Roman Empire, and later found in the antebellum South, Dulcie has in the modern era been heard most often in Australia. In Agatha Christie's…
Greek
"from the east, rising sun"
Anatole is one of the unique boys' names with an unusual-ish feel but an uncertain provenance, with a meaning related to sunrise and thus to fire. While it's Greek in origin, it is associated more…
Lonie is a masculine name that likely originated as a diminutive form of names like Alonso, Leon, or Lionel. It may also function as an independent shortening of longer names with Germanic or Romance…
Diminutive of Matthew, Hebrew
"gift of God"
Mattie ranked among the Top 1000 for boys a century ago, in the heyday of the nickname-name. Today, few parents would dream of putting it on the birth certificate, preferring it as a short form for…
Diminutive of Albert, Bertram etc
Long a royal nickname in England, it's coming back there along with Archie and Alfie. British singer Kate Bush calls her little boy Bertie.
Scandinavian, short form of Odelia
Ada, yes. Ida, maybe. But Oda, a Scandinavian version of Odelia, not really. To English speakers, it sounds too much like "odor".
Erla is a feminine name with primarily Norse and Icelandic origins, derived from the Old Norse 'Erla' meaning 'noble woman' or possibly connected to 'jarl' meaning 'earl' or 'nobleman.' In Icelandic…
Chessie is a feminine name that originated as a diminutive of Francesca, Chelsea, or Chester, though it has evolved to stand independently. The name carries a playful, cheerful quality with its soft…
Diminutive of Florence
"flourishing, prosperous"
All but unheard of today, Floy was a popular Florence nickname used on its own in a century ago: it was Number 448 in 1914. Charles Dickens uses Floy as a pet name for the character Florence Dombey…
Pinkey is an uncommon feminine name with several possible origins. It likely developed as a nickname referring to the color pink or the smallest finger before eventually becoming used as a given…
Bula is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In Fijian culture, it serves as a friendly greeting meaning 'hello' or 'welcome,' while in African contexts, particularly Nigerian languages,…
Acie likely has multiple origin possibilities. It may have developed as a nickname or variant spelling of the name Ace, derived from the Latin "as" meaning "unit" or "one," which became associated…
Altie is a feminine name that typically functions as a diminutive nickname for names like Alta, Althea, or Alethea. With Germanic and Old English influences, it carries the charming quality of many…
Spanish
"good, excellent"
Affirmative adjective occasionally used as a name.
Mell is a masculine name with roots in various cultures. It may be a variant of 'Mel,' which is often a diminutive of names like Melvin, Melbourne, or Melchior. The name has Germanic and Latin…
Fleda is a feminine name with ancient Germanic origins, possibly derived from elements meaning 'stream' or 'beauty.' This rare name appears occasionally in historical records across Northern Europe…
Irl is a compact, masculine name with both Irish and Germanic roots. In Irish contexts, it's believed to be a shortened form of 'Ireland,' potentially conveying patriotic sentiment. Its Germanic…
Hazle is a feminine name that represents a variant spelling of Hazel, derived from the English word for the hazel tree and its light brown color. The hazel tree has long been associated with wisdom…
English, occupational name
Governor is far from one of the established occupational names such as Porter or Cooper, but with babies names King and Prince, Governor certainly wouldn't seem as outlandish today as it once might…
Short form of Cressida, Greek
"gold"
Derived from the Shakespearean Cressida, or perhaps from Crescentia or Lucrezia, Cressie is a sweet but unexpected nickname-name, reminiscent of Essie, Josie, Jessie, Cassie, and Lettie. For some,…