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Nickname Names

  1. Timmy

    • Description:

      Timmy is a warm, friendly masculine name that originated as a diminutive form of Timothy. The root name Timothy comes from the Greek "Timotheos," meaning "honoring God" or "honored by God," and appears in the Bible as the name of Paul's young companion. Timmy gained significant popularity in the mid-20th century, often used as both a nickname and a given name in its own right. The name evokes a sense of youthfulness and approachability, and has been featured in popular culture through characters like Timmy Turner in "The Fairly OddParents" animated series. While some parents now prefer to use Timothy on birth certificates, Timmy continues to be chosen for its cheerful, unpretentious quality and familiar sound. Its usage has declined since its peak but maintains steady recognition.

  2. Omie

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Naomi, Hebrew, Arabic

    • Meaning:

      "pleasantness; flourishing, thriving, long-lived"

    • Description:

      Similar to Amy and Romy, Omie is a sweet yet unexpected diminutive of Naomi. It might also work as a short form of Ramona or Salome, and as a feminine form of Omar.
  3. Patch

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "patch"

    • Description:

      A nickname occasionally given as a name in its own right. It doesn't have to be short for anything — comic physician Patch Adams's real first name is Hunter — but it could be a fun short form of Patrick.
  4. Tazio

    • Origin:

      Italian form of Tatianus or Tatiano, Latin, meaning unknown

    • Description:

      A zippy Italian choice, derived from a Sabine-Latin family name whose meaning is unknown, Tazio is a relation of Tatiano and Tatiana. Other sources suggest it might also be used as a short form of the names of Eustazio ("stable"), Lutazio ("a wrestling") and Anastasio ("resurrection") or possibly, though rarely, as a variant of Taddeo ("gift of god").
  5. Duff

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "swarthy"

    • Description:

      This somewhat boisterous Celtic name would be at home in a noisy pub or out walking on the moors. In Scotland, it was originally a nickname for someone with dark hair or a swarthy complexion.
  6. Mal

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Malcolm, Scottish

    • Meaning:

      "devotee of St. Colomba"

    • Description:

      A nickname for Malcolm that at one point ranked independently on the US Top 1000. It still exists as an affectionate pet form, but you’re unlikely to hear a Malcolm introduce himself as Mal.
  7. Hodge

    • Origin:

      Variation of Roger, German

    • Meaning:

      "famous warrior"

    • Description:

      Hodge is a medieval English nickname for Roger, which was brought to England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. Roger isn't ready for a comeback yet, but we'd love to see the resurgence of Hodge, which never was a common choice in the US.
  8. Spence

    • Origin:

      Short form of Spencer

    • Description:

      Spence is occasionally used as a name all on its own and it has more of a sense of completeness than many nickname-names.
  9. Brosie

    • Origin:

      Short form of Ambrose, Ambrosio, or Ambrosius, Latin

    • Meaning:

      "immortal"

    • Description:

      A cozy short form of Ambrose and co., Brosie could make a sweet nickname for a kid, but as a stand alone, it might be best reserved for a pet.
  10. Maso

    • Origin:

      Italian, diminutive of Tomasso

    • Meaning:

      "twin"

    • Description:

      Appealing, lively, and distinctive.
  11. Cash

    • Origin:

      English word name; diminutive of Cassandra

    • Meaning:

      "shining, excelling man"

    • Description:

      Rising fast for boys both as a stand-alone name and as a nickname to Cassius or Cassian, Cash also has potential to cross over to the girls' side — either as an edgy word name, or as a diminutive of names such as Cassia and Cassandra.
  12. Dede

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of names starting with D

    • Description:

      Of all the names with repeating sounds, Dede isn't the first we'd use (Lulu or Coco, maybe), but it certainly isn't the last — we much prefer it to Dodo or Fifi.
  13. Nan

    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Nancy

    • Description:

      Bobbsey Twins-era nickname name that could find new life via Nan, heroine of The Nanny Diaries. Nan was also the nickname of Annabel St George, the protagonist of Edith Wharton's novel "The Buccaneers".
  14. Ola

    • Origin:

      Polish diminutive of Aleksandra

    • Meaning:

      "defending men"
  15. Biddy

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "strength or exalted one"

    • Description:

      A once very common Irish diminutive of Bridget that has unfortunately been associated since the 18th century with a pejorative slang term for an old or fussy woman.
  16. 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.
  17. Lu

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of names beginning with Lu

    • Description:

      Lu is an adorable mini-name that could be short for Luna, Lucinda, Luisa, or any other name beginning with the letters Lu. Or it can just stand on its own in first or middle place.
  18. Zan

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Alexander, Greek

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  19. Toni

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Antoni, Polish

    • Meaning:

      "priceless one"

    • Description:

      Seen across Europe as both an independent name and a short form of names such as Antoni and Anton. In the US, however, this is considered to be the feminine spelling.
  20. Kota

    • Origin:

      English, Native American

    • Meaning:

      "allies, friends"

    • Description:

      Also used as an exclusively masculine name in Japan and India, as an English name, Kota likely derives from the poplar Dakota. Similar in sound and feel to Kali, Noa, Kora, Koa, and the aforementioned Dakota, it started to be quietly given to girls in the late 2000s.