Name Spellings, Initials and Sounds
By Sophie Kihm · Updated September 2026
Across 9 pages
of 9
English word name
With River and Ocean becoming mainstream, why not consider Sea?
Egyptian
"God of the earth"
This name, more recognized as a short form of Sebastian, is perfectly usable a cool full name, and, in fact, ranks on the UK popularity list. Seb is getting lot of attention as the nickname name of…
Diminutive of Pamela, English
"all honey"
This mild-mannered short form was Queen of the Prom in the fifties and sixties, but today is mostly heard on TV's The Office (and of course as one of the founders of Nameberry). While about 100 baby…
Scottish diminutive of Simon
"the listener"
The Biblical Simon has been rediscovered and this appealing short form, an alternative to Sam, might be a way to make your Simon even more special.
Dutch, diminutive of Bastiaan and Sebastian
"person from the city of Sebastia"
Bas is a fashionable name in its own right in the Netherlands, where it's been in the Top 10. Used throughout Europe, it may have a future here as a straightforward-but-charming nickname name. Baz is…
Oma is a feminine name with Germanic origins, literally meaning 'grandmother' in German and Dutch. The name carries warm associations of maternal wisdom and familial nurturing. While primarily known…
English diminutive of Diana, Latin
"divine"
Fans of the late Princess Diana might remember an early nickname, Shy Di. Di was more commonly heard in the middle of the last century, when Diane and sisters were in top vogue. Today, people may…
English
"a female deer"
Doe is a soft and gentle-eyed middle name possibility and, like Fawn, one of the few animal names open to girls. The Ballad of Baby Doe is a modern American opera based on the story of Elizabeth…
Diminutive of Yaniv, Hebrew; Neville, English; or Nevin, Irish
"he will prosper; new town; holy"
Short and strong multicultural option for a son. Nev Schulman (born Yaniv) is the creator of the MTV series Catfish .
Yoruba, Nigerian
"joy"
This charming West African mini name fits in with the other similarly short names that are all the rage right now. Ayo is enjoying new visibility thanks to actress Ayo Edebiri, star of TV's The Bear .
English, diminutive of Nathan or Nathaniel
Just the kind of old-fashioned nickname coming back into style.
Chinese
"quick"
Puts the -min in diminutive.
Dutch, from English
"who is like God?"
This Dutch spelling of Mick, a diminutive of the classic Michael, has seen small but steady use in the Netherlands. The streamlined Mik variant has a cool edge over the friendly original.
Diminutive of Margaret, Greek
"pearl"
Meg, perennially one of the Little Women, is a Margaret short form that manages to be neither quite in nor quite out of style. Meg is sleeker and more sophisticated than Maggie, more contemporary…
Diminutive of Edward et al
"wealthy"
The most minimalist of names, Ed is decidedly out -- though that usually means it's due to swing back in. More stylish these days: Ned or even Ted.
Hebrew
"Jehovah is my strength"
Despite its biblical pedigree and popularity in Israel, it has far too many ties to the lethal submachine gun to find many fans here.
Diminutive of Fiona
Too fiscal.
Diminutive of Florence, Latin
"flourishing, prosperous"
Flo is an antiquated nickname not often used these days, possibly because "Aunt Flo" is a euphemism for a period.
Diminutive of Victor, Latin
"conqueror"
This short form of classic Victor is popular in its own right in Belgium and the Netherlands.
Dutch
"noble, ready"
A short form of Alfons that feels more modern and approachable than the original, Fons is a Dutch named used most commonly in Belgium, where it has made the Top 200 for the last 5 consecutive years.
