Flimsier than Drew spelling.

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.

Too fiscal.

Hip new middle-name choice, conjuring up the gothic tales of Edgar Allan, and current single-named pop singer Poe. As a first name, it's radically underused, given last year in the US to only five baby boys and no baby girls.

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.

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.

A Pam for the modern age, improved by a harder edge and a tad less prissiness.

Simple and serious Arabic name which debuted in the US Top 1000 in 2016.

Just the kind of old-fashioned nickname coming back into style.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Puts the -min in diminutive.

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.

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.

So simple, yet so unique: a prime candidate for export. Pronunciation is like the English pair or pear.