Middle Names, Surnames, and Nicknames
Nickname Names
Across 44 pages
of 44
Vallie
Diminutive of Valentina or Valerie or word name, English, Latin
"strength, health; valley"
Vallie is one of those names that doubles up as a sweet, stylish nickname for several well-established choices and as a modern, nature-connected word name. A Top 1000 choice in the late 19th- and…
Vanna
Italian
"god is gracious"
Diminutive of the Italian Giovanna, or sometimes Vanessa or Ivanna. Wheel of Fortune's Vanna White — who pronounces her name like the end of Savannah — got her name from her grandmother's next-door…
Vanya
Russian, diminutive of John
This short form of Ivan just could join the other Russian nickname names coming into fashion, and it does have the Chekhov connection.
Vern
Diminutive of Vernon, English
"place of alders"
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.
Via
Nickname name
Could be a short form of Sylvia, Olivia, or any other similar name. Or a vivid Italian word name.
Vic
Diminutive of Victor, Latin
"conqueror"
This short form of classic Victor is popular in its own right in Belgium and the Netherlands.
Vicki
Vicki is a feminine name that originated as a diminutive form of Victoria, which derives from Latin meaning "victory." This shorter, friendlier version gained significant popularity as an independent…
Vicky
Diminutive of Victoria
"victory"
This once vivacious midcentury nickname is rarely used for modern babies.
Vin
Diminutive of Vincent, Latin
"conquering"
Minimalist nickname via XXX star Diesel (born Mark Vincent).
Vince
Short form of Vincent, Latin
"conquering"
Vince is not a short form that often stands alone on the birth certificate, the way Jack or even Joe does, but it has certain credibility as the name always used for football great Vince Lombardi.…
Ving
Diminutive of Irving
Actor Rhames's imaginative shortening of the prosaic Irving, giving it new life and energy.
Vinny
Diminutive of Vincent
Best left at the Jersey Shore.
Viv
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…
Vivi
Diminutive of Viv- names
"life"
Vivi is a short form of all the Vivian and Viveca forms that is sure to get a lot more attention now that a little Jolie-Pitt girl has been named Vivienne.
Vlad
Diminutive of Vladimir, Slavic
"great ruler, peaceful ruler, ruler of the world"
The most famous Vlad was nicknamed "the Impaler." Enough said.
Von
Norse
"hope"
One of those midcentury shortenings that are starting to sound cool again, though we prefer Van.
Wally
English, diminutive of Walter or Wallace
A Leave It to Beaver/old comic-strip name, vacationing for years with the Griswolds in WallyWorld, but now back as WALL-E?
Walt
German, diminutive of Walter
A straightforward, down-to-earth nickname many Walters, from Whitman to Disney, have chosen to go by.
Ward
English occupational name
"guard, watchman"
Until recently Ward was, like Wally, a Cleaver name, but today's parents are seeing it as a cooler nickname for Edward than Eddie, and are also beginning to use it on its own.
Watts
English surname
"son of Watt, son of Walter"
Watts is a patronymic surname derived from Watt, a popular Middle English nickname for Walter. Today, Watts makes a contemporary and stylish way to honor a Walter in your life.