Boyish Nicknames for Girls

Jo

Diminutive of Joanna or Josephine, Hebrew

"Jehovah increases"

The name Jo still evokes the spunky image of the character in Louisa May Alcott's Little Women . Its literary status makes Jo one of the OG boyish nicknames for girls, ala Frankie, Billie, and…

Jaime

Spanish variation of James

Though every Spanish student knows that the male classic is pronounced HY-me, for girls this is a straight homonym for Jamie, a favorite ambisexual 1970s nickname name. Another way to think of it is…

Louie

Variation of Louis, German and French

"renowned warrior"

With Stevie, Scottie, and Charlie on the rise, and Lula, Lucy, Eloise, and Lucia all in style, we're predicting a rise in baby girls called Louie. Fitting the "boyish-nicknames-for-girls" trend, it…

Neely

English diminutive of Cornelia, Eleanor, Helena, or McNeilly, English, Scottish

"horn; shining torch; son of the poet"

A nickname style name, Neely could derive from the strong sounding Cornelia, as a playful alternative to Nelly from Eleanor and Helena, or as a variation of the Scottish surname McNeilly, with the…

Tommy

Aramaic, English

"twin"

Cute boyish nickname for Thomasina, Thomasin or Tamsin.

Benny

Diminutive of Benjamina, Benedicte, or Bernadette

"son of the right hand; blessed; brave bear"

With Scottie, Stevie, Billie, and Frankie all on trend for girls, Benny could be another unisex nickname that catches on in the coming years. Influencer Jaci Marie Smith named her baby Benny Marie in…

Bo

Norse nickname

"to live"

This tiny but punchy name has multiple origins. It stands strong alone, but could be short for numerous names including Bonnie and Bodhi. In Mandarin Chinese, Bo means "wave".

Nico

Italian, diminutive of Nicola

"people of victory"

A much more dynamic nickname than Nicky for any of the Nic-names. Part of a growing trend of boyish nicknames for girls - alongside Stevie and Lou - Nico has cheerful, snappy sounds, and a fresh,…

Ricki

Feminization of Ricky, English, or English diminutive of Frederica, German

"dominant ruler; peaceful ruler"

One of the earliest of the relaxed, unisex names, now relegated to oldies rock stations. Ricki is a spirited, retro nickname traditionally short for Frederica but now stands strong on its own.…

Perri

English

"dweller near a pear tree"

For boys, this name calls to mind old-school detective Perry Mason. But peppy Perri is coming around as part of a group of boyish nicknames for girls - along with favorites like Leni and Charlie. In…

Jordie

Diminutive of Jordan

"flowing down"

A cutesy short form of Jordan that's never been overly popular. With boyish nicknames for girls - a la Joey and Scottie - rising, Jordie may have her chance to shine.

Corey

Irish

"from the hollow"

Cool a few decades ago, along with Lori and Tori. Currently out of fashion but may make a retro tomboy choice as an offbeat spin on Charlie.

Sam

Diminutive of Samantha

"told by God"

Sam as a name standing on its own was given to only 18 girls in 2021, versus over 400 boys. But as a short form it's appealing and down-to-earth for both sexes, and heard far more often: There were…

Leo

Latin

"lion"

Leo is of course a very popular name for boys and an equally rare one for girls. But 28 baby girls were named Leo in the US last year, and as feminine leonine names such as Leonora and Leonia find…

Lonnie

Latin

"lion"

An old-timey boyish nickname that works as a diminutive of Leona or Leonie, Alondra, Lorna or any female name with strong L and N sounds.

Jordy

Diminutive of Jordan

"flowing down"

A cutesy short form of Jordan that's never been overly popular. Like Jordan, Jordy would work equally well for a girl or boy.

Lee

English

"pasture, meadow"

The original brief, breezy name is somewhat out of favor now even as a middle name. The Leigh spelling has more substance and is more identifiable as female.

Matty

Diminutive of Matilda or Martha, Aramaic

"battle-mighty; lady"

Matty could be a short form of Martha, Matilda, or even Madeline. It is a tomboyish option, especially with the classic Matthew still popular for boys. But with boyish nicknames for girls - like…

Theo

Diminutive of Theodora

"divine gift, gift of God"

Most commonly used as a short form of Theodora or Theodosia, this "boyish" nickname for girls is used much less frequently than Thea, Dora, or Teddy. One notable appearance however, was as the…

Davy

Short form of David, Hebrew

"beloved"

Davy (or Davey) is a little-used member of the trendy new group of boyish nicknames for girls, which includes Stevie, Scottie, and Billie. Maybe that's because there's no good feminine form of David…