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Nickname Names

  1. Jess

    • Description:

      This short form of Jesse has an androgynous, cowperson feel. It's Jess rather than Jesse or Jessie that can be considered among the truly androgynous baby names
  2. Monty

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "pointed hill"

    • Description:

      Diminutive of Montague or Montgomery that has long been used as a standalone for boys – and for a few girls too, especially during the middle years of the 20th century. It has largely fallen out of favor, though it is frequently used as a standalone boys'name across the pond. With boyish nicknames for girls - a la Charie and Stevie - on trend, Monty has the chance to come back.
  3. Roo

    • Origin:

      Diminutive

    • Description:

      A cutesy nickname — identical sounding to the more substantial Rue and Roux.
  4. Cathy

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Catherine

    • Meaning:

      "pure"

    • Description:

      One of the most popular nicknames of the fifties and sixties -- and who could forget the romantic heroine of "Wuthering Heights"? -- now largely ignored in favor of Cate or Kate.
  5. Gabby

    • Description:

      Gabby is a feminine name that functions both as a standalone name and as a familiar diminutive for Gabrielle, Gabriella, or Abigail. Derived ultimately from the Hebrew name Gabriel, meaning 'God is my strength,' Gabby projects a friendly, approachable personality. The name rose in popularity during the late 20th century as parents increasingly chose casual-sounding names as official given names. Gabby carries a cheerful, energetic quality that often matches its meaning in slang as someone who is talkative. In sports contexts, the name gained visibility through notable athletes like Olympic gymnast Gabby Douglas. While maintaining its casual charm, Gabby offers versatility as its bearer can always opt for a more formal version in professional settings.

  6. Alf

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "elf counsel"

    • Description:

      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.
  7. Tammy

    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Tamara

    • Description:

      Made famous in fifties movies as a wholesome backwoods gal, Tammy was a Top 10 choice from the mid-60s to early-70s, but is now given to fewer than 100 babies per year in the US.
  8. Ori

    • Description:

      Ori is a delicate feminine name with multicultural roots. In Hebrew, it means "my light" derived from "or" (light), symbolizing enlightenment and hope. In Finnish mythology, Ori refers to a majestic wild mountain reindeer. The name also appears in Japanese as a variant of "Hori," meaning "ditch or canal." As a feminine name, Ori has gained modest popularity in recent years among parents seeking short, meaningful names with cross-cultural appeal. Its simplicity and melodic quality make it versatile across different languages and cultures, while its connections to light and nature give it a spiritual and ethereal quality that resonates with modern naming trends.

  9. Jory

    • Origin:

      Cornish variant of George, or diminutive of Jordan

    • Description:

      A rarely-used name even in its native Cornwall, Jory nevertheless feels very wearable, thanks to its similarity to familiar picks like Rory, Corey and Joey. Jory Cassel is a minor character in the first season of Game of Thrones.
  10. Trish

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Patricia

    • Meaning:

      "noble, patrician"

    • Description:

      Trish was a cool -- in every sense of the word -- nickname back when Patricia was one of the most popular names in the US, primarily in the 1960s and 1970s. Trish is actually kind of a nickname of a nickname, Tricia, best known as Tricia Nixon, the daughter of President Richard who named after her mother, who was called Pat. Trish, along with almost every other name related to Patricia including Pat, Patti, Patsy, and Tricia, is seriously out of fashion today.
  11. Milly

    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Millie or short form of Camilla, Millicent, Mildred etc.

    • Description:

      Milly and her more popular sister Millie are adorable Old Lady nickname-names springing back to life. Nearly 100 baby girls were named Milly, just Milly, last year, and Millie is in the US Top 500. Milly is the Molly of the new generation.
  12. Gilly

    • Origin:

      Literary name

    • Description:

      Gilly is a name that's popped up from time to time in different contexts: As a nickname for Gillian, for instance, and as the name of a town in Switzerland. But it's increasingly associated with Hannah Murray's character Gilly in HBO's Game of Thrones, whom Sam Tarly rescued from Craster's Keep.
  13. Zuzu

    • Origin:

      Czech diminutive of Susan

    • Meaning:

      "lily"

    • Description:

      This sizzling nickname Zuzu is heard every Christmas as the name of Jimmy Stewart's little girl in "It's a Wonderful Life," but we love it all year round as a lively alternative to double names like Gigi and Bibi.

  14. Yoli

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Yolanda, Spanish

    • Meaning:

      "violet flower"

    • Description:

      This perky Spanish nickname deserves to be more popular. Singer Michael Bublé recently used it as one of the middle names for his daughter Cielo, which may give Yoli a boost.
  15. Abe

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Abraham. Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "father of multitudes"

    • Description:

      Old-time nickname that's following in the fashionable footsteps of cronies Jake and Sam. Abe feels both fresher and cuter -- which is maybe the same thing? -- than those choices right now. You can also get to Abe via Abel, which may prove a friendlier formal name than the gray-bearded Abraham.
  16. Minta

    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Araminta, invented hybrid name

    • Description:

      Minta is an eighteenth century short form of a literary beauty still used in England today, but yet to be discovered by American baby namers. It has a fresh and dainty feel.
  17. Dezi

    • Origin:

      Short form of Desiderio, Spanish

    • Meaning:

      "desired one"

    • Description:

      A Desi variation that moves the name away from Lucy -- though it's just as dizzy. TV star Jaime Pressly used it for her son.
  18. Vern

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Vernon, English

    • Meaning:

      "place of alders"

    • Description:

      Until recently, Vernon and its short form Vern seemed like grandpa names not ready for revival, but now we can see it happening. Never the popular, Vern works particularly well as a middle name.
  19. Tig

    • Origin:

      English diminutive of Antigone, Greek

    • Meaning:

      "worthy of one's parents, in place of one's parents"

    • Description:

      The quirky nickname Tig is exceedingly rare, but historically has been used as a short form of Antigone. Today, many people are familiar with the name via comedian Tig Notaro. Notaro was born Mathilde — she was dubbed Tig by her brother Renaud when he had difficulty pronouncing her given name.
  20. Pim

    • Origin:

      Dutch diminutive of Willem or William

    • Meaning:

      "resolute protection"

    • Description:

      Pim is traditionally a male nickname in the Netherlands, but its relative obscurity in the US would allow you to get away with using it for a daughter. This name has never been recorded in the US - for boys or girls. But it's style match with other slim, boyish nicknames for girls like Lou and Scout means Pim may not stay off the grid for much longer.