By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 76 pages
of 76
English diminutive of any girl name that starts with D
In its mid-20th century heyday, Deedee — or Didi or Dede — was not infrequently used as a name in its own right. It's a cute, or maybe cutesy, short form of names like Deanne.
English diminutive of Diana, Latin
"divine"
Fans of the late Princess Diana might remember an early nickname, Shy Di. Di was more commonly heard in the middle of the last century, when Diane and sisters were in top vogue. Today, people may…
Of all the names with repeating sounds , Dede isn't the first we'd use (Lulu or Coco, maybe), but it certainly isn't the last — we much prefer it to Dodo or Fifi.
English variation of Diane, French from Latin
Dyan is an early 'creative spelling' publicized by actress Dyan Cannon, but a creative spelling can't revive an uncreative name. Modern parents would much prefer the classic Diana.
Not as lively or independent as Gigi, Kiki, or Coco.
English diminutive of Delia, Greek, or Dilys, Welsh
"born on the island of Delos; genuine, steadfast, true; "
Somewhat light and silly on its own.
English word name
"discovery"
A lot to handle, but it does give a sense of openness, joy, and awe.
Word name, English from Latin
"diversity, variety"
As a name, a bit too p. c.
Word name
"firearm"
While Pistol might be more positively spun as a word name for an enterprising and spirited person, it's the small, handheld firearm that most people will think of first. As such, it joins the ranks…
Invented name, variation of Juna, English from Latin
"born in June; young; moon"
Novelist Djuna Barnes introduced this interesting and unusual name with an arty, Bohemian feel to the mix. She explained that it was invented by her father, saying it came about as a combination of…
English ariation of Dolores, Spanish
"lady of sorrows"
A form of Dolores (or Delores) that was occasionally used in the early 20th century. It could work as an alternative to Lenora, Laura, Delilah, or Della.
English and German diminutive of Dorothy and Dorothea
"gift of God"
Some parents might like this energetic diminutive for Dorothy used in the Bush family, though the traditional Dottie and Dot seem to be coming back.
English variation of Dora, Greek
"gift"
Frilly, feminissima, unstylish Dor name.
Variation of Doria, English from Greek
Not quite Dora or Daria, this name is often dismissed in favor of its more familiar counterparts, but it has versatile appeal, given that it has a number of different origins. It can be considered a…
English diminutive of Dorothy, Greek
Dodo is one of the few names of the cute repeating-sounds genre that is not alas so cute, being a slang word for someone brainless as well as the name of the infamous extinct bird. Dot, Dottie, Dory,…
Word name or nickname
Boo may have started out as a nickname for the male character Arthur "Boo" Radley in To Kill A Mockingbird and these days may be closely associated with another male Boo, the "world's cutest dog" or…
Literary name and Old Norse
"gravel bank river"
This lovely name is best-known as the surname of eponymous Bronte heroine, Jane Eyre, and would make an appealing and distinctive middle name for the child of fans of that book. While the surname…
English place-name and surname
"dark wolf's wood or clearing"
Blakesley is the name of a village in England, also sometimes found as a surname along with Blakely and Blakeley, turned into a first name for their daughter by reality stars Trista and Ryan Sutter.…
"dune"
Dune is a haunting and evocative sandy-beach name, which also has sci-fi connections. Dune is a science fiction franchise that was launched by Frank Herbert's 1965 novel. Some interesting Dune…
English feminization of Dylan, Welsh
"son of the sea"
Feminizes Dylan — but why bother.
