Pet Names · Dog Names
By Sophie Kihm · Updated September 2026
Across 6 pages
of 6
Invented nickname
Up-and-coming actress Beanie Feldstein is attracting attention toward her unusual — but rather cute — nickname. She was born Elizabeth Greer Feldstein but nicknamed "Elizabeanie" by her childhood…
English word name
"an immature bean pod used as a vegetable"
The unisex word name Bean, distant cousin of the infamous Apple, was used for the name of a child in Louise Penny's novel "A Rule Against Murder." A cute choice, it's likely best reserved for a…
Irish
"tiny one"
An attractive ancient Irish saint's name that conjures up a beacon of light, this Irish name for boys is well-used in Ireland but rarely heard in the US.
"the little hero"
The double ' e ' gives this Celtic surname a genial sound. It derives from an old Irish name — Suibhne (SHEEV-ne) that was borne by several early saints and kings, including, unfortunately, one…
"small, fair one"
If you like the Irish surname feel, there are loads of more congenial options.
Italian
"little girl"
Better saved for a doll.
"little lord"
An old Irish surname cousin of Tierney that makes an unusual and appealing Irish gender switch.
"little raven"
Feeny and its alternative spelling Feeney have several origins in Irish. They are anglicised forms of the surnames Ó Fiannaidhe (descendant of Fiannaidhe, meaning warrior), and Ó Fidhne (descendant…
Tiny is an endearing feminine name that originated as a diminutive nickname before occasionally being used as a given name. It directly references small stature or youthfulness, deriving from the…
Latin; Sanskrit
"soul; tiny"
Anima is a name that could work in so many languages, blessed as it is with easy spelling and pronunciation. It works equally well in the East and in the West, as its roots can either come from…
English diminutive of Antigone, Greek
"worthy of one's parents, in place of one's parents"
An energetic nickname name occasionally encountered in England, particularly among Telegraph-reading circles. It is traditionally short for Antigone, but nowadays it's just as often bestowed as a…
"rough little one"
Irish surname derived from the name Gairbhín, a diminutive of garbh , "rough". It's barely been used as a first name, but could be a similar-yet-different alternative to names like Nolan and Sullivan.
Welsh
"small glen, valley"
The feminine version of the common Welsh name Glyn became somewhat known in this country via the charming Welsh actress Glynis Johns. Variations include Glenys and Glynys. With other Welsh…
Flemish
"little John"
Possible (and offbeat) middle name twist when honoring a familial John.
Dutch
Famke was introduced to this country via Dutch-born actress Famke Janssen, but is not likely to appeal to many American parents.
African, Ashanti
"chubby baby"
Kessie is cute but slight.
Short form of Elfrida or Elfrieda
Elf is an adorable nickname for the otherwise-clunky Elfrida or Elfrieda. Elf was used for the tragic sister in Miriam Toews' novel All My Puny Sorrows .
English
"small, noble one"
Feels like a hybrid. Better go for Edith or Evelyn.
Diminutive of Lillian and Lily, flower name
"lily"
Spunky old vaudeville era nickname name suddenly sounds new again.
French
"of the little farm"
The name of the great French novelist, author of the timeless The Count of Monte Cristo and The Three Musketeers , would make a surprising middle name choice.
