By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 21 pages
of 21
Hebrew, diminutive of Aleeza
Leeza may feel like the flagging Lisa or Liza, but its pronunciation is a hybrid of the two and it's a name that's distinct on its own.
Feminine variation of Jonah, Hebrew
"dove"
Unlikely to catch on the way the male original has, though it may appeal to some parents as a more formal version of Nina.
Hebrew
"to protect, shelter"
Bright and bold traditionally masculine name used in Israel.
"clever"
Tanya with a G.
Biblical place name, Hebrew
"quarreling"
Though this Biblical place name is found among early American settlers, usually as a male name, today it sounds completely feminine. As a place name, its gender is mutable in any case. An unusual and…
Hebrew, variation of Aphrah
"dust"
Aphra would make an interesting choice-- especially since it's the name of the first professional female writer in English, the seventeenth century's Aphra Behn. Born in 1640, she was a prolific…
Hebrew, female form of Elul, month name
Elula, female derivation of Elul, the name of the sixth month on the Hebrew calendar, was used by Isla Fisher and Sacha Baron Cohen for their second daughter. The couple kept their unusual choice…
Variation of Aideen or Adina
Spelled this way, Adine could be a relative of either the Irish Aideen, which means jealousy, or the Arabic Adina, meaning slender. We'll go with the slender.
African, Swahili; Hebrew
"occupation, activity; my work"
This multi-cultural name has a pleasant, delicate sound. Variations include Amali and Amalya,both of which mean industrious.
English, diminutive of Elizabeth
"pledged to God"
Yes, it's a word name, but Busy is also a rare pet form of Elizabeth. And yes, actress Busy Philipps was christened Elizabeth--she was given the nickname because she was such an active child. She…
Spelling variation of Bethany, Hebrew
"house of figs"
Bethenny is the spelling introduced to the world by and closely associated with Real Housewife of New York Bethenny Frankel. While the name has a bit of charm, we recommend sticking with the original…
Diminutive of Elizabeth
Zibby is the adorable, zippy nickname for Elizabeth used for the lead female character in the film "Liberal Arts." Zibby can make a Libby for the 21st century.
Bizzy has a 1930s wisecracking waitress -- think Mitzi, Flossie, Fanny -- feel to it, yet at the same time feels like a fresh, modern nickname for Elizabeth. Given that any Bizzy better be, this name…
"child of the red earth"
A feminization of Adam with several sweet nickname options — Addie, Ada, Minnie, or Mina being a few.
"my father is dew"
Abital is popular for boys as well as girls in Israel, but we rarely hear it here. In the Old Testament, Abital was one of King David's wives and the mother of his fifth son.
Diminutive of Elizabeth, Hebrew
The archetypal diminutive, in every sense of the word. Bitsy enjoyed some use as a nickname in the era when children were named after family members and then called by a cute pet name: Chip, Skip,…
"plowed field"
Niria is the female equivalent of Nir and may also be found as Nira. This simple, pleasant name has an earthy meaning.
"God is my father"
More than the sum of Abby and Ella.
"Daughter of Jehovah"
Also spelled Bethia and Bithiah, this Old Testament name could wear well today. Bethea might make an original way to honor an ancestral Elizabeth or get to the nickname Beth.
"Winter stream"
One of the rarer names to come from the Bible, Cherith has a fresh and modern sound despite its ancient roots. Cherith was the name of the stream that kept Elijah alive during the three years'…
