Boy Names Lists · Middle Names, Surnames, and Nicknames
By Sophie Kihm · Updated September 2026
Across 7 pages
of 7
Diminutive of Francisco
"free man"
Frisco is a frisky, roguish semi-place-name (San Francisco natives never call it that) that could make a lively, unusual o-ending choice. Frisco is the kind of nickname name sometimes used for cowboy…
English diminutive of Gilbert or Gibson
"shining pledge; son of Gilbert"
Upper crust pet form still used in some old money families.
English slang word
In addition to being the term for a job performing music, Gig has been used as a name, as in onetime actor Gig Young--who was born Byron but took his stage name from a character he played.
English
"useful"
Handy was once an English nickname, given to someone who was useful and skilled. It has a similar vibe to Curley, Doc, Dusty, and Muley, wordy nicknames that you might find in a John Steinbeck novel.
English diminutive of Henry or Harold
"estate ruler; army ruler"
The old-school cool nickname Hap is a (mostly) bygone short form of classic H names for boys like Henry, Harold, and Harrison. Several notable Haps — including former New Jersey senator Hap Farley —…
Diminutive of Hitchcock
The charming Hitch played by Will Smith in the eponymous movie put this into the lexicon. Also known as the nickname of director Alfred Hitchcock and writer Christopher Hitchens, who titled his…
English, diminutive of Robert
"bright fame"
A Robert nickname out of use for hundreds of years, but now sounds cooler than Bob or Rob for a modern boy.
Welsh
"weathy lord"
Rhythmic Welsh nickname name, derived from the Welsh royal name Iorwerth, which has sometimes been anglicized as Edward.
Diminutive of Japheth
"he expands"
Japhy Ryder was a hero of Jack Kerouac's Dharma Bums . Compared with Moses and Noah, Japhy sounds downright adorable and eminently baby-worthy.
English, diminutive of Jasmine or Jasper
Unisex variation of Jazz or Jasper that couldn't say it more plainly. Used for their daughter by tennis couple Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi.
Jimbo is a masculine name that originated as a familiar, affectionate nickname for James. With English-American origins, it combines the shortened form 'Jim' with the suffix 'bo,' which was a popular…
English word name
"spell, curse, bringer of bad luck"
A popular choice for black cats, Jinx has become a quietly used option for baby boys in the US. Previously, it had been largely given to girls, likely because it appeared in the James Bond movie Die…
Frisian diminutive of Gijsbert, Dutch
"shining pledge"
In the well-known Dutch children's book series Jip and Janneke, Jip is a boy, but this cutesy nickname name can traditionally be used on both girls and boys.
Scottish variation of Jack
This is a Scottish pet form of John, the equivalent of Jack in England. Has long been used as a generic name for a Scotsman, here it's a generic name for a--well--jock.
Diminutive of Jonathan
"gift of Jehovah"
Jaunty, to say the least, Jonty might be an option if Johnny feels too old school. It has been noticed most often on the playing fields, as in U.K. rugby player Jonty Parkin (born Jonathan) and South…
Cornish, diminutive of Christopher, Greek and Latin
"bearer of Christ"
Kitto updates Dad Name Christopher with a trendy o-ending short form. Use it as an honor name or an original nickname.
Word name
A name that shows up on the Social Security roles of a hundred years ago. Let's hope it was a never-to-be-repeated mistake.
Loney is an uncommon given name that originated as an English surname, derived from Old French 'l'aulnai,' meaning 'alder grove' or from the Old English 'lane-eg,' referring to a 'long island.' As a…
Diminutive of Columbus, English from Latin
"dove"
A forgotten nickname for Columbus, which itself is becoming ever rarer. Radio comedy program Lum and Abner , which ran for over two decades beginning in 1931, featured a character named Columbus…
"elf counsel"
Short form of Alfred that had fallen out of favor, but could come back alongside Alfie and other clunky old-style nicknames like Gus and Ike.
