Vintage Nicknames for Girls

Flory

French

"blooming, flowering"

Florence is back, and the adorable short form Flory (or Florie) is too. Or you could just choose Flora and cover all bases with one stroke.

Retta

Retta is a feminine name with multiple origins. Most commonly, it serves as a diminutive of names ending in "-retta" such as Henrietta, Loretta, or Margaretta. The name has Italian roots as well,…

Rilla

German

"small brook"

Rilla dropped out of the US Top 1000 in 1915, but it's starting to feel like an intriguing possibility again in this age of short, sweet, a-ending names for girls. It is traditionally a short form…

Jossie

Jossie is a feminine name that functions as a diminutive of names like Jocelyn, Josephine, or Josette. With English and French influences, it carries a sweet, endearing quality through its 'ie'…

Posy

English

"a bunch of flowers"

A sweet, nostalgic nosegay kind of name, Posy has been long fashionable in England, a country of gardeners, but this pretty bouquet-of-flowers name is still rarely heard in the US, though it could be…

Bess

English diminutive of Elizabeth, Hebrew

"pledged to God"

Although she declared her independence as far back as the reign of Elizabeth I — Good Queen Bess, Bess now sounds less passé than Beth or Betsy.

Rilda

Diminutive of names ending -rilda

"battle"

With a hint of ruggedness and strength about it, but quirky, retro vibes too, Rilda is a rare nickname name. Similar to Tilda or Hilda, it comes from names ending -rild or -rilda , such as Serilda,…

Barra

Irish

"fair-headed"

Barra is a Gaelic-speaking island in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland, that's been inhabited since the Neolithic era. A male nickname for Finbarr in Ireland, as well as a stand-alone name, Barra was used…

Virgie

Diminutive of Virginia, Latin

"virginal, pure"

Virginia is a hundred years past its peak of the 1920s, but according to Nameberry's own Hundred Year Rule, that means it's due for a comeback. Indeed, Virginia's long downward slide leveled off and…

Gert

Short form of Gertrude, German

"strength of a spear"

Gert is an old school nickname for one of the oldest school names, Gertrude. Only the most adventurous, so-far-out-it's-in baby namers will choose Gertrude or Gert today, but it's definitely geek…

Beah

English diminutive of Beatrice, Latin

"she who brings happiness"

A rarely seen member of the Beatrice clan, with its own distinctive charm.

Betta

Diminutive of Elizabeth

"pledged to God"

A modern version of the dated Betty. You might want to consider varying Elizabeth, too, to the Italian Elisabetta.

Biddie

English and Scottish diminutive of Bridget, Irish

"strength, exalted one"

Vintage short form of Bridget, very rarely still heard in Irish Catholic communities.

Bidu

Diminutive of Bridget

"strength, power"

Uncommon choice too reminiscent of "bidet". Try Bridie instead.

Caddie

Diminutive of Caroline, French

"free man"

Trapped somewhere in the nether region between Haddie and Catie, with the added confusion of sounding like someone who works on a golf course. Caddie Woodlawn was a TV heroine of the Old West in the…

Caro

Diminuitve of Carol or Caroline, English, French ,"free man"

"free man"

Upper-crusty nickname occasionally used in Britain, particularly in 1930s novels featuring significant garden party scenes, but eclipsed here by Carrie et al.

Cat

Diminutive of Catherine, Greek

"pure"

May be the most modern, stylish Catherine nickname: more unusual than Kate or Cate, with an animal and word name edge. Cat Power is a trendy folksinger.

Charty

English diminutive of Charlotte, French

"free man"

A Charlotte nickname heard much more often in Britain than here — American parents might prefer Charlie or Lottie.

Cia

English or Swedish diminutive of Cynthia, Greek, or Cecilia, Latin

"moon goddess, woman from Kynthos; blind"

What's Cia short for? Cynthia or most any other C -name. Stylish in its sleek Mia-Nia minimalist feel, but may remind some of the Central Intelligence Agency.

Cinda

Diminutive of Cynthia or Lucinda

Cindy for the 21st century, with a word adjacent feel.