By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 76 pages
of 76
Diminutive of Jocelyn, German
"member of the Gauts tribe"
Joss is more fashionable than Jocelyn or Josslyn. This is a short form that could be used independently, a la the singer Joss Stone. One of a troupe of adorable boyish nicknames newly fashionable for…
Word name
"cloth woven from flax"
Suede, Velvet, Cotton, and Denim have all been given to babies, and now Linen has been added to the mix, given to a handful of babies in the US in the 2020s. One of the oldest fabrics to be woven,…
Blend of Louise and Anne, French, English
"graceful, renowned warrior"
A vintage-feeling compound name, blending two classic choices, Louanne was popular in France in the 2000s, both in this form and as Lou-Anne. While it may mean "graceful, renowned warrior" from Anne…
Variation of Lovett or elaboration of Love, English
"little wolf; little love"
Lovetta can be viewed in two ways: an elaboration of Love, similar in feel to Loretta or Violetta, or spin on the surname Lovett, similar to Everette or Wyetta. As such, it could mean "little love"…
English elaboration of Lucia or Lucy
"light"
Lace-hankie name with Shakespearean pedigree.
Scottish and English from French
"someone who lives on an island"
Though it's used far more often for boys, Lyle has a lot in common with today's trending girl names that share the double L sound: Lila, Layla, and Lola. With its cool island related meaning, derived…
English
"son of Tom"
Today, Thompson could be a trendy way to nickname Tommie, more appealing to some parents than Thomasin or Thomasina Originally used as a patrynomic name, it refers to a son (or descendant) of a Tom…
English surname
"edge of town"
An English surname, traditionally given to someone who lived at the town's outer limits, or alternatively, an Anglicization on the French Toussaint – denoting someone born on All Saint's Day,…
Short form of Theresa, Greek
"to harvest"
A diminutive of Theresa, with a sweet, sassy sound, Tressie loses out to Tess, Tessie, and Terri, perhaps because it rhymes with stressy , or because it reminds English speakers at least of a word…
English word name
"whimsical or fanciful"
Whimsy is a new entry to the ever-expanding word name lexicon, sister for Pixie and Bliss. While it has an undeniable offbeat English aristocratic charm (maybe we're thinking of Dorothy Sayers'…
English surname, variation of Wild, English word name
"untamed, undomesticated, uncultivated"
A wild world name with literary connections and a surname-style, Wilde is best associated with Irish author, poet, and playwright, Oscar Wilde. Similar in sound to the more popular Wilder and Wiley,…
"farm near the willows; willow town"
With Willow and Willa becoming more popular for girls, surname-style Willoughby could be a more unusual alternative. Meaning "farm near the willows" or "willow town", depending on how you interpret…
Botanical name, English
"rough stream"
Yarrow is a flowering herb that grows wild in Europe and North America, and has long been used in several Native American and European cultures as a healing plant. Named for the mythical god Achille,…
English, derived from Zulu, South African tribal name
Related to the powerful South African warrior people, sometimes chosen by African-Americans to celebrate their heritage. Zula is also a Norwegian diminutive of Zuzanna.
Variation of the word wild or variation of Vilda, English, Swedish, German
"wild, untamed; to strive, battle"
Bright and outdoorsy or vintage with a hint of clunkiness, Wilda may be viewed as a spin on the English word "wild" and as an alternative to the equally untamed Swedish Vilda. Alternatively, it could…
"highborn, shining"
The great-great-aunt in the purple hat, singing jazz.
"dweller at the old cottage"
Intriguing alternative that goes beyond Louisa and May, for Little Women fans.
"elf power,"
With a meaning like "elf power," Alfreda could find some appeal among fantasy enthusiasts. "Freda" makes for a pleasant nickname.
"elf power"
The name of the mother of Aethelred the Unready was once common among the Anglo-Saxon nobility, and was briefly revived during the 19th century, only to be lost once again to history. However, with…
English, diminutive of Nancy
Bobbsey Twins-era nickname name that could find new life via Nan, heroine of The Nanny Diaries. Nan was also the nickname of Annabel St George, the protagonist of Edith Wharton's novel "The…
