'Nickname' names

Bea

English diminutive of Beatrice, Latin

"she who brings happiness"

Bea is a former old lady name that's cute again as a short form — and is now beginning to stand on its own. Bee is a variation that, like Bea, can work as a diminutive for any name that starts with…

Flossie

Diminutive of Florence

"flourishing, prosperous"

Flossie was an extremely popular Florence nickname that was used independently in the early twentieth century, given to over five hundred girls per year a century ago. Appealing, sweet as candy…

Lula

Diminutive of any Lu name

Lula is one of the livelier nickname-names with the fashionable double-L sound: It joins Lulu, Lila, Lily, and Lou among the trendiest names today. Lula might be short for Talula and sisters or for…

Ouisa

Diminutive of Louisa

"renowned warrior"

Wheezy short form of lovely name, featured in the movie "Steel Magnolias", spelled as Ouiser. Similar, literary Ouida is less breathy, while Lou, Lulu, Lula, Lissy or Whizz might appeal instead.

Posey

English

"a bunch of flowers"

Posey is fashionable in England, a country of gardeners, but this pretty bouquet-of-flowers name is only starting to be heard here. A possible alternative to Rosy or short form for Josephine. Posey…

Emme

Variation of Emmy, English diminutive of Emily and Emma

"work; universal"

Introduced by model Emme (born Melissa) and now a legitimate member of the Em-starting girls' name group, especially since it was chosen by Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony for their twin daughter.

Drea

English diminutive of Andrea, Greek

"strong and manly"

Introduced via Sopranos star Drea (born Andrea) de Matteo, and catching on with a wider audience.