Short Baby Names
- Zan
Origin:
Diminutive of Alexander, GreekMeaning:
"defending men"Description:
There's Zan and there's Xan--take your pick. Both of these are the latest generation of Alexander nicknames, Xan having been noticed first as a character on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (a rich source of names), and soon phoneticized into Zan.
- Cam
Origin:
Diminutive of Cameron or CamillaDescription:
A Pam for the modern age, improved by a harder edge and a tad less prissiness.
- Irv
Description:
Irv is a masculine name primarily used as a diminutive of Irving, which has Old English origins meaning 'green water' or 'sea friend.' This short, punchy name gained modest popularity in the early to mid-20th century, particularly in Jewish-American communities where Irving was more common. Irv carries a vintage, mid-century charm that evokes the era of its peak usage. While rarely used as a formal given name today, it maintains recognition as a nickname. The brevity of Irv gives it a straightforward, unpretentious quality that contrasts with longer, more elaborate naming trends. It represents a connection to earlier generations while offering simplicity.
- Viv
Description:
Viv is a feminine name that functions as both a standalone name and a diminutive of Vivian, Vivienne, or Viviana. These names derive from the Latin "vivus" meaning "alive" or "lively." Viv embodies this meaning perfectly with its short, vibrant sound. The name's brevity gives it a modern, punchy quality while maintaining connections to its more traditional longer forms. Viv gained some recognition through notable bearers like British actress Vivien Leigh (who was sometimes called Viv) and more recently through characters in film and literature. As a standalone name, Viv remains relatively uncommon, giving it distinctiveness while still being recognizable and easy to pronounce across various cultures.
- Ham
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"hot, warm"Description:
Along with Shem and Japheth, a son of Noah with a name that's almost never used -- for more obvious reasons than those of his brothers.
- Pam
Origin:
Diminutive of Pamela, EnglishMeaning:
"all honey"Description:
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).
- Di
Origin:
Short form of Diana, LatinMeaning:
"divine"Description:
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 take Di as a very dark word name.
- Fons
Origin:
DutchMeaning:
"noble, ready"Description:
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.
- Oma
Description:
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 as a term of endearment for grandmothers in German-speaking countries, Oma has occasionally been used as a given name in the United States, particularly in communities with German heritage. The name peaked in limited popularity in the early 1900s but has since become quite rare as a first name. Oma also appears in Japanese, meaning 'horse,' and in some African languages with various meanings. The name's brevity and soft sounds give it a gentle quality, though its strong association with grandmotherhood in German culture may influence how the name is perceived.
- Poe
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"peacock"Description:
Hip new middle-name choice, conjuring up the gothic tales of Edgar Allan, and current single-named pop singer Poe.
- Ala
Origin:
Igbo, Polish, diminutive of AlicjaMeaning:
"nobility"Description:
Ala is the Igbo earth goddess whose symbol is the crescent moon. In a very different vein, Ala can be a diminutive for Alicja or Alexandra or really any other name with an A at both ends and an L in the middle. Ala is also an Arabic name meaning "excellence, supremacy"; could be confused as a homonym for Allah, or as part of a phrase like a la mode.
- Mik
Origin:
Dutch, from EnglishMeaning:
"who is like God?"Description:
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.
- Lib
Origin:
Diminutive of Elizabeth or LibertyMeaning:
"pledged to god; freedom"Description:
A concise and zippy short form of Elizabeth, Liberty or similar, used for the main character in the novel and film adaptation of Emma Donoghue's The Wonder about a nurse sent to observe a girl who is miraculously surviving without food, to check the validity of her parents' claim.
- Min
Origin:
ChineseMeaning:
"quick"Description:
Puts the -min in diminutive.
- Ed
Origin:
Diminutive of Edward et alMeaning:
"wealthy"Description:
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.
- Ayo
Origin:
Yoruba, NigerianMeaning:
"joy"Description:
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.
- Deb
Origin:
Short form of Deborah, HebrewMeaning:
"bee"Description:
During the heyday of Deborah, Debra, and Debra -- the late 1950s and early 60s -- there were enough baby girls named Deb, just Deb, for it to make the Top 1000.
- Dru
Origin:
Diminutive of DrucillaDescription:
Flimsier than Drew spelling.