By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 4 pages
of 4
Modern, initials S + J
A two-initial nickname occasionally used on birth certificates.
Short form of Ryder or Rylan; spelling variation of Rye
Musician Ry Cooder brought this short form into the lexicon -- his full name is Ryland -- and it feels more familiar now that more Ry- beginning names such as Ryder and Riley are, ahem, riding up the…
Italian river name
A river (in Italy), a writer (Bronson), a Teletubby: the Bo of the new millennium.
English
"working cattle"
Animal names are booming, but this is one that's never been used — although Boaz, which means "ox" in Hebrew, is starting to see more use. With its connotations of strength, teamwork and…
Ol is a compact masculine name that often serves as a diminutive of names like Oliver, Olaf, or Ollie. With just two letters, it carries a distinctive brevity that makes it memorable. The name has…
English diminutive of Maurice and Morris
"dark-skinned"
An exceedingly friendly every-guy nickname that could rise alongside the likes of Ike, Sid, and Ned.
Ly is a concise masculine name with multicultural origins. In Vietnamese culture, it functions as both a surname and given name, derived from Chinese origins and sometimes meaning 'plum.' In…
Danish, diminutive of Jacob
Ib, though it sounds insubstantial here, is actually a pretty common name in Denmark.
Diminutive of Hyman, Hebrew
"life"
Hy was once a nickname for Hyman, a Jewish Anglicization of Chaim. Today it has gone extinct, for obvious reasons.
Hi as a given name is extremely rare and unconventional. It may function more as a nickname or abbreviated form of names like Hiram, Hideo, or Hiroshi. In some East Asian cultures, particularly…
Diminutive of Edward et al
"wealthy"
The most minimalist of names, Ed is decidedly out -- though that usually means it's due to swing back in. More stylish these days: Ned or even Ted.
Eb is a masculine name of Hebrew origin, likely a shortened form of Ebenezer, which means "stone of help" in Hebrew. This concise, one-syllable name has a straightforward, strong quality to it. Eb…
Diminutive of names beginning with Lu
Can't decide between Lucas, Luis or Lucian? This mini-name takes it down to the bare essentials.
Diminutive of Simon, Hebrew
"the listener"
Si is an intriguing antique nickname for Simon and Silas, and we’ve also heard it as a short form of names that contain the "sigh" sound, like Josiah and Osiris. It’s too slight to stand solo on the…
Catalan form of Yves
"yew wood"
This mini-member of the Ivo-Yves family of names is unlikely to appeal to English speakers, as it sounds like "ew".
Catalan form of Otto
This unusual Catalan name demonstrates just how short mini-names can get.
Oy is an exceptionally brief masculine name with multiple potential origins. In Thai culture, it can be a legitimate given name, often with meanings relating to sweetness or sugarcane. In Jewish…
Word name or short form of Axel
Ax makes a somewhat threatening short form of the popular Axel, given to more than 3000 baby boys last year. It can also be used on its own, though it usually isn't. There were, however, seven baby…
Hebrew or Chinese
"to me, or logic, power, beauty"
This short and sweet multicultural name has a lot of potential meanings packed into its two letters! As a Hebrew name, it is unisex, and means "to me". As a Chinese name, it is also unisex, and has a…
Le is a compact masculine name with multicultural origins and meanings. In Vietnamese, it functions as both a surname and given name, meaning 'ritual' or 'ceremony.' In Chinese culture, it can mean…
