Nickname Names

Petey is a masculine name traditionally used as an affectionate diminutive of Peter, which derives from the Greek 'Petros' meaning 'rock' or 'stone.' This nickname-as-given-name carries a boyish charm and friendly approachability that extends into adulthood. While more common in the mid-20th century, Petey has decreased in formal usage but remains enduring as a nickname. The name evokes a nostalgic Americana quality, bringing to mind simpler times and friendly neighborhood characters. Though informal in nature, some parents choose Petey as a given name for its unpretentious warmth and inviting sound. The name has occasional pop culture references, including the cartoon character Petey Piranha from Mario games, which may influence contemporary associations for younger generations.

Petey

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.

Short but spirited, Pim is in the Top 200 in The Netherlands, though it is little-known elsewhere. A diminutive of Willem (or William), it possibly emerged via its rhyme with alternative, more direct short form, Wim.
 
While some English speakers may be reminded of pimples or Pimms, it could nevertheless make an original nickname in a family with lots of Williams, setting a child apart from father Will and grandpa Bill.

The original Pip was the main character in Great Expectations (full name Philip Pirrip). Cute for a tike, maybe too cute for an adult.

Mikie is a boyish nickname-name of a style that's becoming more popular, ala Billie, Frankie, Stevie, and Scottie. New Jersey Congresswoman and former Navy pilot Mikie Sherrill is a noted bearer.

Mikie might be the freshest option for honoring grandma Michele or grandpa Mike.

Mikie

A multicultural nickname with a number of origins and multiple meanings, particular to the bearer. It can be a short form of Bozhidar, or any other name with the Slavic element "božĭjĭ", meaning "divine". It can come from the surname style Bosley, or the Biblical name Boaz. Ambrose and Boris could be alternative long forms.
 
Boz was notably used as a pen name by Charles Dickens, when publishing short pieces for newspapers early in his career. These pieces were eventually collected in the book Sketches by Boz, giving the nickname a literary connection. Dickens took the name from a mispronunciation of his brother's nickname, Mose for Moses.

A multicultural nickname style name, Boz has several different origins. It can derive from the Western African name, Bozoma, used in Ghana and borne by marketing executive, Real Housewife of Beverly Hills, and businessperson, Bozoma "Boz" Saint John. The name might mean "goddess", however other sources suggest it is a local, tribal name of the Nzema people.
 
Boz can also work as a short form of any name derived from the Slavic element božĭjĭ meaning "divine", such as the Croatian Božica, the Slovakian Božena, and the Bulgarian Bozhidara. 
 
Boz is unisex nickname, notably used as a pen name by Charles Dickens.

Gentle yet sassy, Fliss is a short form of Felicity that has the spark of Flick, the softness of Lissy, and the cutesiness of Fifi. 

Fliss

A concise, handsome, and distinctive name of Greek origin, Stathis is related etymologically to Eustace. They both derive from the Greek Eustathios, literally meaning "good to stand up", and interpreted as "stable and well-built". 

Stathis

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. 

Omie

A unisex nickname style name, similar in sound and feel to Andie, Randy, Indy, or Danny, Landie could be a short form of any name including the land element. This includes Landon, Roland, Leland, or Orlando, though it might also work for Leander or Lysander. 
 
As a surname, it could have derived from the Middle English word lavendrie, referring to someone who is in charge of washing, or from Landry or Landric, meaning "landowner", "lord of the manor" or "magistrate". 
 
As a South African name, it coincides with the Afrikaans word for "country", likely referring to the countryside, to open fields and pastures.
 
In popular culture, Landie (or Landy) is sometimes used as an affectionate term to refer to Land Rover cars.

Landie

A unisex nickname style name, similar in sound and feel to Andie, Candy, Indy, or Danny, Landie could be a short form of any name including the land element. This includes Holland, Orlanda, Scotland, or Ireland.
 
Alternatively, it may well be used as a diminutive of Yolanda meaning "violet", or Leandra, meaning "like a lion".
 
As a surname, it could have derived from the Middle English word lavendrie, referring to someone who is in charge of washing, or from Landry or Landric, meaning "landowner", "lord of the manor" or "magistrate". 
 As a South African name, it coincides with the Afrikaans word for "country", likely referring to the countryside, to open fields and pastures. 
 In popular culture, Landie (or Landy) is sometimes used as an affectionate term to refer to Land Rover cars.

This Swedish diminutive could be an alternative to Tessa or Tess. It appeared in Swedish TV drama Bonus Family and a 2022 Swedish film, Tack för senast ("Thanks for the last time").

Tessan

While Aussie is usually known as the colloquial term for people from Australia, some parents are considering it as a more feminine form of uber-cool nickname Ozzy. It might raise a few eyebrows at first, but, with Roman, Scottie, and Scott all well established choices and place names very much in use, perhaps Aussie isn't too odd?  And we suppose it could make a fun alternative to Gussie of Augie for a little Augusta, maybe?




Aussie

A distinctive Polish short form of Krystyna, ultimately deriving from Christian, Krysia has a similar feel to Sasha, but with a bit of kick from the K sounds. 

Krysia

Like a blend of vintage-style Edie and popular Katie, Keedie is either an invented name, a variant of the Scottish surname Keddy, or possibly a short form of Katherine. 
 
In the case of Soprano singer Keedie Babb, her name was a creation of her father's, inspired by his love of pop star, Kiki Dee. As a variation of the Scottish surname, Keedie would ultimately derive from the Gaelic Mac Adaidh, meaning "the son of Adam" or "son of the red earth". As a diminutive of Katherine, Keedie likely draws inspiration from Kitty, Katie, Kadie, or Kiki.
 
The name has been used by writer Elle McNicoll in her novel A Kind of Spark and the character Keedie features in both the television adaptation, and in the follow up novel, Keedie.

Keedie

Zsa Zsa is a zippy Hungarian nickname name, sometimes used independently, linked for decades with the Hungarian-born actress Zsa Zsa Gabor--who was born Sari.

Zsazsa

Zibby is the adorable, zippy nickname for Elizabeth used for the lead female character in the film "Liberal Arts."  Zibby can make a Libby for the 21st century.

Zibby

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. Actress Zazie Beetz, Emmy-nominated for her supporting role in FX's Atlanta, has lent new verve and energy to this already upbeat, on-trend name.

Zazie

 — directly on the birth certificate these days. Sometimes they like the nickname better than the formal name, sometimes they want more control over what their child is actually called, and sometimes they simply see the short form as cuter, more modern, and more stylish than its proper equivalent.

, other nickname names in the US Top 1000 include 

. Rare nickname names with the potential to be future hits include 

, are full names in their own right, they make the list because they can be short forms of longer names, such as 

, have been used as full names for so long that they're more widely used than their proper forms.

And then there are the nicknames that have more recently found their footing as proper names. We'd count 

Some nickname names you might want to consider for your own baby include the following.

Nicknames that are used as proper names, for baby girls and baby boys, with meanings, origins, and popularity, including Alfie, Rory, Maisie, and Coco (Page 40)