Name Spellings, Initials and Sounds
Streamlined Baby Names
Across 5 pages
of 5
Cinda
Diminutive of Cynthia or Lucinda
Cindy for the 21st century, with a word adjacent feel.
Cisco
Diminutive of Spanish Francisco
"Frenchman or free man"
Shortening Francisco somehow makes it sound even cooler. Cisco is also the name of a digital security company.
Coby
English, diminutive of Coburn or Jacob or Jacoby
Actor Coby Bell gives this short but sweet name a hefty amount of street cred. Can also be spelled Koby or Kobe, as in Kobe Bryant.
Colm
Irish variation of Latin Columba
"dove"
Colm is a popular Irish name for boys that could immigrate, especially with its peaceful meaning. Colm Toibin is a contemporary Irish novelist and critic, author of The Master and Brooklyn ; Colm…
Don
Diminutive of Donald, Scottish
"proud chief"
Short form of Donald -- or more stylishly, Donahue or Donovan -- that's acquired a new sixties-era suaveness thanks to Mad Man Don Draper. The name also carries a Sopranos or Godfather-style double…
Drea
English diminutive of Andrea, Greek
"strong and manly"
Introduced via Sopranos star Drea (born Andrea) de Matteo, and catching on with a wider audience.
Fina
Fina is a feminine name with multiple origins, functioning both as a standalone name and as a diminutive form of names ending in '-fina' such as Serafina or Josefina. In Italian and Spanish contexts,…
Fredo
Diminutive of Alfredo or Frederico, Spanish and Italian forms of Alfred or Frederick, English or German
"wise counselor or peaceful ruler"
Fredo is a masculine name that originated as a diminutive form of the Italian names Alfredo or Federico. The name gained cultural recognition through its use in 'The Godfather' novels and films for…
Gene
Diminutive of Eugene, Greek
"wellborn, noble"
Like Ray, a formerly funky nickname name that is newly cool. Comedian Amy Schumer used it for her son. While technically Gene is short for Eugene, it can certainly be used on its own as an honor name…
Gina
Diminutive of Regina, Eugenia, Georgina, and similar, English, German, Spanish
"queen; well born; farmer"
A short form for a whole variety of names, this short form has been used across Europe as a stand-alone since the 1920s. It spiked in popularity in the 1950s, owing to the fame of Italian actress…
Jelica
Short form of Anjelica
Calls to mind the world Jellicle, as in CATS. But still classier than Angie.
Jorie
Diminutive of Marjorie or Jordan
Poet Jorie Graham is the best-known (okay: only known) bearer of this fresh, spirited spin on the Cory-Tory-Rory group. The boys' Jory is a Cornish nickname for George.
Kiel
Short form of Ezekiel
Sharp attractive short form which has a nautical translation in German: "keel" (although it isn't used as a name there). Fun fact: the similarly spelt Kieł is the name of Hagrid's dog Fang in the…
Lani
Variation of Elaine, English, Hawaiian
"bright, shining; sky, heavens, royal, majesty"
Simple but substantial, Lani is surprisingly underused considering the popularity of Lainey, Leilani, Lana, and Kehlani. A multi-cultural choice with both Hawaiian and English origins, it is also…
Lanie
Lanie is a sweet, feminine name that originated as a diminutive form of names like Elaine, Alaine, or Melanie. With its roots in various European traditions, Lanie carries the meanings of its parent…
Liza
Diminutive of Eliza and Elizabeth, Hebrew
"pledged to God"
Liza's heyday was the mid-1970s, following on the heels of super-popular sister Lisa. But thanks to the fact that it never became superpopular, Liza remains a name not especially tied to one…
Lonzo
Diminutive of Alonzo
"noble, ready"
Adds some dash and substance to Lon.
Lotte
German, Scandinavian diminutive of Charlotte
"free man"
Lotte is a short form of Charlotte and a name used in its own right in Scandinavia as well as Dutch- and German-speaking countries. It’s unlikely to catch on in the US, where even Lottie hasn’t…
Lyssa
Short form of Alyssa or Greek mythological name
"anger, fury, rage"
Most contemporary English speakers will hear the name Lyssa as short for the long-popular Alyssa or Melissa. But Lyssa is a bona fide Greek mythology name, though not a very appealing one. The…
Manda
Diminutive of Amanda
The full version is prettier.
