In the Nick(names) of Time: The oldies are back!
By Linda Rosenkrantz
For a while there it looked like nickname names were on their way out. Baby William was called William and not Billy or Willie and James was James, not Jimmy or Jim.
That part still holds true to a great extent, but suddenly there’s a whole raft of fresh-sounding nicknames, many of them vintage ones making a return (and strangely enough, some of the oldest are the most appealing); and a number of them are popular enough to be used on there own.
Here are some of the hottest new nicknames right now, mostly with the older pet forms they’ve replaced:
GIRLS
Bee for Beatrice, along with the still used Bea
Cat and Cate for Catherine—no more Cathy
Cece for Cecily who used to be Sissy
Charlie and Lottie for Charlotte, and we’ve even heard Chaz
Dot is back as the short form of Dorothy, as is Dolly; bye bye Dodie
Drea for Andrea, who is no longer Andie
Elsie and Libby for Elizabeth, replacing Liz and Beth—and Betty may be joining them soon
Fifi and Posy are back in for Josephine, along with the still popular Josie
Florrie and Flossie—these Bobbsey Twinish nicknames are back on the horizon for Florence, alternatives to Flo
Frankie is firmly in for Frances, replacing Fran and Fanny—one of several boyish early 20th century nicknames now found on girls (illustration: Drew Barrymore and daughter Frankie)
Gertie is so much more retro-cute for Gertrude than Trudy
Jules/Jools for Julia, rather than Julie
Kitty is edging out Kathy for Katherines, with the sophisticated Kay also under the radar
Lulu for Lucinda, replacing Cindy; she’s also being used for Tallulah
Maisie for Margaret, the new but older Maggie
May back for Mary, stepping in for Molly
Minnie for Wilhelmina, who used to be Willie or Billie or Mina
Nell for Eleanor, who’s often still Ellie; Nell is also now used for Penelope
Nico for Nicole, fresher than Nicky
Sadie, the old-time nickname for Sarah is back
Thea for Cynthia, who used to be Cindy; also a nn for Dorothea
Tillie for Matilda, rather than Mattie
Trixie for Beatrix, along with Bea
Vivi for Vivienne, more fun than just plain Viv
Zuzu for Susanna, who is no longer Susie
BOYS
Alfie and Freddie for Alfred, not Al—thanks to the Brits for pointing the way
Benno for Benjamin and other Bens—far fresher than Benjie
Bertie for Albert, who’s no longer Al, and for Robert, no longer Bobby
Bram for Abraham and Abram, replacing Abe
Cale for Caleb, an update of Cal
Cole for Nicholas—cooler than Nick
Drew for Andrew, rather than Andy
Gus for August and Augustus, not Augie
Hank and Hal coming back for Henry, thanks in part to some celebs
Jem in for Jim, via To Kill a Mockingbird
Joss for Joseph and Joshua, the newer Joe and Josh
Kit for Christopher, back in for Chris
Ned is back replacing Ed/Eddie for Edward
Sasha–-The Russian nickname for Alexander (and Alexandra), rather than Alex
Theo now firmly in place for Theodore, standing in for Ted and Teddy—who themselves may return
Ward another Ed replacement for Edward
Will is the new Bill, though of course Liam has moved in as the other, mega popular Irish short form of William