Sugary Sweet Names for Boys

Aubie

Short form of Aubrey, Auburn, Aubin, or Auberon, English, French

"elf ruler; reddish-brown color; white, bright"

A playful short form with a similar sound to Toby, Augie, Albie, or Bobbie, Aubie might come from a variety of AUB- names, and may be pronounced AWB-ee or O-bee, depending on which long form you had…

Ru

Short form of Rupert, Rudy, or Ruben, variation of Rue, variation of Ruadh, or Chinese

"bright flame; famous wolf; regret, herb; red; scholar"

Succinct but playful, the unisex and multicultural Ru fits in with the likes of Tru, Cru, Blu, and Bo. Typically used as a short form of Ruben, Rudy or Ruben, it might also be a form of the word name…

Gili

Hebrew

"my joy"

Spirited unisex Hebrew name.

Gibby

Gibby is a playful diminutive that typically derives from Gilbert or Gibson. The name Gilbert comes from Germanic origins meaning 'bright pledge' or 'shining hostage,' while Gibson was originally a…

Geordi

Geordi is a masculine name that gained recognition primarily through the character Geordi La Forge from the television series 'Star Trek: The Next Generation,' portrayed by LeVar Burton. The name…

Sebbie

Short form of Sebastian, Latin, Greek

"person from Sebastia"

A nickname style choice derived from the popular Sebastian, Sebbie feels like it could fit in with the likes of Teddy, Reggie, Billy, and Toby. Rarely used as a standalone name, it is borne by a…

Connie

Diminutive of Conrad or Constantine

One of those Old World nicknames -- think Sally and Patsy -- that long ago crossed over to the girls' side.

Amzi

Hebrew

"strong"

The name of several minor Biblical characters, Amzi seems streamlined and modern and has the potential to catch on. Meaning "strong", it may appeal to parents who enjoy Azariah, Aziel, and Amias.…

Allie

Diminutive of Allen

Too far gone to the girls.

Tib

English diminutive of Theobald, German

"courageous people"

Tib was a unisex nickname in the 13th century, used as a short form of Theobald and Isabel. As Theobald waned in popularity, it became far more associated with girls, so much so that Tib was a term…

Tolly

Diminutive of Tolliver or Bartholomew

Tolly is an antique short form that is not only jolly but makes Bartholomew usable in the modern world, when Bart is too Simpsonesque. For the adventurous nicknamer, Tolly might even be a novel short…

Willoughby

English

"farm near the willows; willow town"

Energetic Willoughby is a familiar last name, but, as yet, makes for a unique choice in the first spot. An unexpected way to get to popular short forms Will and Billy, Willoughby could make an…

Wilkie

Scottish surname from a diminutive of William

"resolute protection"

William was such a popular name, thanks to the Conquerer, in early England that it gave rise to a range of nicknames, including the distinctly Scottish Wilkie. Heard mostly as a surname these days,…

Wolfie

Diminutive of Wolfgang, German

"traveling wolf"

A domesticated take on Wolf, if the animal name is too ferocious for your liking. Wolfie has never charted as a given name in the US, but that may soon change now that Wolf names are of interest…

Fleury

Masculine form of Fleur, French

"flower"

Also used as a surname, this floral choice was the name of an 11th century French prince, and a familiar choice in France during the early 20th century. While it faded out of style in the '40s, could…

Koazy

Invented name

"cozy"

Nickname names and cutesy names have been on the rise in recent years as have alternatively spelled words and names featuring the letter Z. This modern invention combines all these elements and was…

Boo

Word name or nickname

Boo as a first name first achieved notoriety as the name of the child-man in Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird. Arthur "Boo" Radley was meant to be frightening, but only in a simple, non-threatening…

Pim

Dutch diminutive of Willem or William

"resolute protection"

Short but spirited, Pim is in the Top 200 in The Netherlands, though it is little-known elsewhere. A diminutive of Willem (or William), it possibly emerged via its rhyme with alternative, more direct…

Wim

Diminutive of Willem, contracted form of Wilhelm, Dutch, German

"resolute protector"

With a sound that brings to mind at once "whim," "vim," and "win," this is one Dutch boys' name with serious potential for use in the English-speaking world. Film director Wim Wenders brought this to…

Fen

English, Dutch, Frisian

"marshland; peace"

In English, a fen is a wetland fed by surface and/or groundwater. In Dutch and Frisian, it's a traditional diminutive of names containing the element frid , meaning "peace". Either way, Fen makes a…