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Nickname Names

  1. Zazie

    • Origin:

      French

    • Description:

      This jazzy French diminutive of Isabelle was first made famous by the title character of Raymond Queneau’s novel Zazie dans le métro, which was adapted into a film in 1960. It could also work as a nickname for Elizabeth or Susannah.
  2. Willie

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Wilhelmina or Willa, feminine forms of William, German

    • Meaning:

      "resolute protection"

    • Description:

      Willie is one of the adorable boyish nicknames newly fashionable for girls, rarer than Billie. It definitely makes the somewhat-fearsome Wilhelmina more fun and approachable.
  3. Zach

    • Description:

      See Zac.
  4. Bette

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Elizabeth

    • Description:

      Pronounced a la Bette (Betty) Davis or Bette (Bet) Midler, a twentieth-century relic. Though if the equally vintage Betty comes back, Bette may be close behind.
  5. Dirk

    • Origin:

      Flemish and Dutch, contracted form of Derek

    • Description:

      A perennial classic in the Netherlands, short-and-sweet Dirk is starting to feel like a fresher alternative to cousin Derek.
  6. Sammy

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "god has heard"

    • Description:

      Short for Samuel or long for Sam, Sammy is a sweet midcentury nickname name that we can see coming back.
  7. Howie

    • Description:

      Howie is a masculine name that originated as a diminutive form of Howard, though it's now often used as an independent given name. Howard derives from the Old Norse name Hávarðr, meaning "high or chief guardian." Howie carries a friendly, approachable quality typical of nicknames ending with the -ie suffix. The name reached its peak popularity in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s, aligning with the success of figures like musician Howie Day and television host Howie Mandel. While retaining a certain boyish charm, Howie has declined in usage in recent decades, giving it a distinctive retro quality that might appeal to parents looking for a friendly, unpretentious name with historical roots.

  8. Lady

    • Origin:

      English; diminutive of Adelaide

    • Meaning:

      "noble"

    • Description:

      You can't get much more feminine, sweet, and ladylike than Lady. Would make a cute nickname for up-and-coming Adelaide. Lady will also bring to mind the canine lover of the Tramp.
  9. Cali

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of any Cal- name

    • Description:

      A short form that is given on its own to a good number of baby girls each year — Cali has been on trend in recent years along with sister names Callie and Kali, as the popular 90s and early 2000s nickname Allie has felt less fresh.
  10. Mitt

    • Origin:

      Nickname for Milton

    • Meaning:

      "settlement with a mill"

    • Description:

      If you'd like to name your baby after Gov. Romney, Mitt isn't it: his birth name is Willard. Mitt is an inherited nickname from Milton Romney, a favorite cousin of his father's who was a Chicago Bears quarterback in the 1920's.
  11. Rania

    • Origin:

      Arabic, Greek

    • Meaning:

      "to gaze, to look; heavenly"

    • Description:

      As an Arabic name, Rania is a variation of Raniya, ultimately derived from the Arabic word ranā meaning "to gaze" or "side look". Other descendants of this root include Ranya and Rana itself. Familiar in the UK, Spain, the Netherlands and France, Rania is currently borne by Rania Al Abdullah, Queen of Jordan.
  12. Pat

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Patrick

    • Meaning:

      "noble, patrician"

    • Description:

      As seen on SNL, Pat is the ultimate androgynous name. Stick with long form Patrick, and make sure everyone calls him Patrick.
  13. Gil

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "happiness"

    • Description:

      Pronounced zheel, it's a dashing conquistador; as gill, it's the nice and slightly boring guy down the street.
  14. Richie

    • Origin:

      Short form of Richard

    • Description:

      Richie was once a popular enough nickname for Richard that it made the Top 1000 all by itself. It's seriously out of style now -- though still a better choice than Dick or even Ricky.
  15. Aggie

    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Agatha and Agnes

    • Description:

      Mauve-tinted nickname with vintage charm that could just follow in the footsteps of ABBIE. More prominent now as the nickname for the Texas A&M sports teams.
  16. Ash

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Ashley, English

    • Meaning:

      "ash tree"

    • Description:

      Ash is a gender-neutral choice that calls to mind the '80s favorite: Ashley. But view it as a nature name -- as in the tree, not the charred bit of soot in the fireplace -- and it makes a cool choice that fits with today's trends.
  17. Nicki

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Nicola, Nicole, Nicolette

    • Meaning:

      "people of victory"

    • Description:

      Once the teenaged babysitter, now more likely to be the mom who hires her. The names many variations include Nickee, Nickie, Nickey, Nicky, Niki, Nikkee, Nikkey, Nikki, Nikkie, Nikky, and Niky.
  18. Mo

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Maureen, Irish variation of Mary, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "bitter"

    • Description:

      Mo is a punchy, unisex nickname with endless versatility, from Maureen to Morgan to the British favorite Imogen. Its simplicity and charm make it a modern pick for parents embracing minimalist names - and part of a rising trend of boyish nicknames for girls.
  19. Fanny

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Frances

    • Meaning:

      "free man"

    • Description:

      As this word is less often used to mean derriere, it becomes more possible to view Fanny as the kind of appealingly quaint nickname name, like Josie and Nellie, that many parents are favoring now.
  20. Jeb

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Jebediah, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "beloved friend"

    • Description:

      Both Jeb and Jed are very attractive Old Testament short forms with long and bright futures. Jeb's main current association is with the Bush brother and former governor of Florida, but the name was a mainstay on early TV westerns, and then went upscale as the nickname (his birth name being Josiah) of the President on "The West Wing."