By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 31 pages
of 31
English, diminutive of Kimball
Kim is forever feminized, despite memories of the Rudyard Kipling character.
Ghanaian, Akan, Twi
"Born on a Thursday"
The Akan people of Ghana and the Ivory Coast frequently name their children after the day of the week they were born and the order in which they were born. Most Ghanaians have a name using this…
Italian word name
"uncle"
Zio is a pet form for names ending with 'zio', such as Maurizio, Marzio and Tiburzio. As a full name in Italian, though it wouldl be like naming your son Uncle Uncle.
Hebrew
"wave"
A unisex name in Israel but in the U.S., it might as well be Sue.
Danish
"earth"
Kaj is a name that looks great on paper, but while it's pronounced with to rhyme with rye, it is sure to be pronounced by most people to rhyme with "raj" or, much worse, "Madge".
Short form of Lewis, English variation of Louis
"renowned warrior"
Lew is a masculine name that originated as a short form of Lewis or Louis. It has English and Scottish roots, derived from Germanic elements meaning 'famous battle' or 'renowned warrior.' The name…
"plowed field"
Short, simple international names like this make distinctive middle name possibilities. Nir also makes for a nature-oriented first name that's both straightforward and unusual. But be prepared for a…
Rae as a masculine name has Scottish and Hebrew origins. It derives from the Scottish surname Rae, meaning "grace" or "deer," or it may be a shortened form of Raymond, meaning "wise protector." In…
Short form of Rafael, Spanish variation of Raphael
Raf is a raffish short form that many a cool boy would love to call his own.
Scottish variation of Thomas, Aramaic
"twin"
Popularized in Scotland by Tam O'Shanter, the hero of one of Robert Burns' most famous poems, it's associated in the U.S. with the plaid cap he gave his name to. But this could make a creative honor…
Indigenous Australian or Tswana, Sotho
"dusk, twilight; lion"
Tau, rhyming with cow, is a simple straightforward name with roots in two languages and cultures, the Kaurna language spoken by indigenous Australian people or the African Tswana language, a Bantu…
Tod is a masculine name of German and English origin, meaning 'death' in German or functioning as a short form of the names Theodore ('gift of God') or Todhunter. Despite its somewhat grim German…
Germanic
"will"
This spelling pares Will down to the bare minimum — and why not? It is also a Welsh diminutive of William / Wiliam / Gwilym.
Mongolian or Latin
"beyond the horizon; youthful, downy-bearded"
Russian-born actor Yul (christened Yuliy) Brynner gives this short name a strong, steely image.
Rig is an uncommon masculine name with multiple possible origins. It may derive from Old Norse, where it was a name for the god Heimdall in the Eddic poem Rígsþula, making it a name with mythological…
Ryk is a compact masculine name with Germanic and Scandinavian roots. It functions as a shortened form of names containing the element 'ric' or 'ryk,' meaning 'ruler,' 'power,' or 'kingdom.' This…
Italian variation of Hugh, Igbo
"mind, intellect; eagle"
Ugo is a familiar choice in Italy and France, where it is used as variation of Hugh or Hugo, but also in Nigeria, where it means "eagle" in Igbo.
Dic is a masculine name that functions primarily as a Welsh diminutive of Richard. It represents a traditional, abbreviated form that has been used for centuries in Wales. The name Richard, from…
Hew is a masculine name of Scottish origin, traditionally considered a variant of Hugh, which derives from the Germanic element 'hug' meaning 'heart,' 'mind,' or 'spirit.' In Scottish usage, Hew has…
Dutch, diminutive of Remment, Remmert, or Remmelt
The Dutch are fond of short nickname names, and this one is tied to influential and provocative architect Koolhaas, born Remment. Could also be short for Remington or Remy.
