Nicknames I love...but stumped on the full names!

  1. Ari
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Ariel, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "lion of God"
    • Description:

      Ari, the short form of Ariel (or any other Ari- beginning name, such as Aristotle) stands up better as a boys’ name than its progenitor does. It is also short for Aristotle, as in Onassis, and is a prominent character on TV's Entourage -- the uberagent Ari Gold.
  2. Nova
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "new"
    • Description:

      Nova has the feel of both newness, from its meaning, and great energy as an astronomical term for a star that increases suddenly in brightness before fading.
  3. Edie
    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Edith
    • Meaning:

      "prosperous in war"
    • Description:

      Edie is part of the Evie-Ellie et al family of cute and friendly short forms that sometimes stand on its own. Briefly popular in the 1960s, it could well be due for rediscovery. It's already a fashionable choice in the UK, where it has ranked just outside the Top 100 for several years.
  4. Hal
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Harold or Henry, English, Scandinavian, German
    • Meaning:

      "army ruler or estate ruler"
    • Description:

      Could Hal be the Jack, Max, or Gus of the future? It just might happen in the new nickname environment, especially with Cal and Cy feeling cool, and with the interest in vintage, cowboy-esque choices, considering Hal ranked in the US Top 1000 in the first half of the 20th century.
  5. Dax
    • Origin:

      French place-name
    • Description:

      The appealingly energetic Dax, with its trendy X-ending, re-entered the Top 1000 in 2007. Its somewhat sci-fi vibe emanates from his appearance as a fictional being in the Star Trek universe, seen on the TV show "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine." The Power Rangers character Dax Lo was the Blue Ranger.
  6. Nola
    • Origin:

      Gaelic
    • Meaning:

      "white shoulder"
    • Description:

      Nola, a name with a sleek, enigmatic quality, was used for the much-pursued heroine of Spike Lee's 1986 breakout film, She's Gotta Have It, and again by Woody Allen in Match Point. It's a short form of the traditional Irish name Fionnuala. Nola reentered the US Top 1000 in 2008, for the first time in 50 years.
  7. Ari
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Ariel, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "lion of God"
    • Description:

      In 2010, baby boys named Ari outnumbered baby girls 4 to 1; today, there are nearly equal numbers of boys and girls named Ari. And that's only counting the babies who receive Ari as a full name. Ari can also be short for not only Ariel but Aria, Arya, Ariana, and any other name starting with Ari. Ari entered the US Top 1000 for girls in 2016.
  8. Tenley
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "burnt clearing"
    • Description:

      This name is currently best known on The Bachelorette's Tenley Molzahn. In the 1950s, it was attached to the Olympic figure skating champion Tenley Albright, and Jessica Biel played a Tenley in the movie Summer Catch.
  9. Tula
    • Origin:

      Choctaw, English, Spanish, Hindi, or Kiswahili
    • Meaning:

      "leaping waters; town; spear strength; mountain peak"
    • Description:

      Tula is a multicultural name, linked to the names Tallulah, Gertrude, and Tullia, a mountain range in Antarctica, and to the Greek Toula, used for the heroine of the hit film My Big Fat Greek Wedding.
  10. Jory
    • Origin:

      Cornish variant of George, or diminutive of Jordan
    • Description:

      A rarely-used name even in its native Cornwall, Jory nevertheless feels very wearable, thanks to its similarity to familiar picks like Rory, Corey and Joey. Jory Cassel is a minor character in the first season of Game of Thrones.
  11. Arley
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "from the rabbit meadow"
    • Description:

      Abbreviated form of Harley that might also be spelled, for girls, Arleigh or Arlee.
  12. Chaz
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Charles
    • Description:

      The jazziest nickname for Charles.
  13. Tally
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Talia
    • Meaning:

      "gentle dew from heaven"
    • Description:

      Nickname sometimes heard on its own, sort of an updated Sally and playmate of Hallie.
  14. Jory
    • Description:

      Jory as a feminine name is an intriguing choice with several possible origins. It may be a feminine adaptation of the masculine Jory, which itself can be a variant of George (meaning "farmer"), a form of the Hebrew name Yore ("he will teach"), or a short form of names like Marjorie. When used for girls, Jory has a modern, androgynous quality with its short, punchy sound. The name's simplicity makes it easy to spell and pronounce while remaining distinctive. Though uncommon for either gender, it has seen occasional use throughout the English-speaking world. Jory carries an independent, spirited quality that parents seeking an unconventional yet accessible name might find appealing. Its brevity allows it to pair well with longer surnames and middle names.

  15. Ria
    • Origin:

      Spanish
    • Meaning:

      "small river"
    • Description:

      Short and feminine, Ria has a rhythmic flow.
  16. Dru
    • Origin:

      English diminutive of Drusilla, Latin
    • Meaning:

      "fruitful"
    • Description:

      Flimsier than Drew spelling.
  17. Ramey
    • Raymie
      • Tru

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