"Animal Crossing" Names
- Antonio
Origin:
Spanish and Italian variation of AnthonyMeaning:
"from Antium"Description:
Antonio is a Shakespearean favorite -- the Bard used it in no less than five of his plays, and has long been a ubiquitous classic in Spanish-speaking countries, where the nickname Tonio is also prevalent. Antonio is also among an elite group of perennially popular names in the US, where it has always been among the boys' Top 1000 since baby name record-keeping started in 1880.
- Rhoda
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"rose"Description:
To those who remember, Rhoda is still reminiscent of the brassy Bronx 1970s sitcom Rhoda Morgenstern. But Rhoda has a much longer history--it is a name that can be found in the New Testament as a servant girl in the house of Mary, mother of John. Later, Rhoda appeared in the novel Vanity Fair and the Shaw play Man and Superman.
- Tasha
Origin:
Diminutive of NatashaDescription:
See NATASHA.
- Tad
Origin:
Diminutive of Thaddeus, AramaicMeaning:
"gift of God"Description:
An approachable mini name that could go on the birth certificate, but may work best as a nickname. Full name options include Thaddeus, Theodore, and Thomas, which was the given name of Abe's son Tad Lincoln. Taddy is a rare alternative to Teddy.
- Boyd
Origin:
ScottishMeaning:
"blond"Description:
Has a bit of a hayseed image, and that oy sound is tough to work with.
- Ozzie
Origin:
Diminutive of Osmond, Oswald, or OscarMeaning:
"divine; deer"Description:
Ozzy has been on the rise in recent years and currently sits in the Top 1000 in the UK and the US. The Ozzie spelling has yet to catch up, but has nevertheless gained more attention thanks to its popular counterpart. Given to 135 boys and to 50 girls in 2023, for every one Ozzie there are three Ozzys.
- Elvis
Origin:
Meaning unknownDescription:
When the King was alive, and for years afterwards, few people (except Declan McManus who became Elvis Costello) dared use his singular name, but now it's very much up for grabs.
- Velma
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"will helmet"Description:
Velma likely originated as a phonetic spelling of the German name Wilma, itself derived from Wilhelmina. Velma Dinkley is a smart, if nerdy, character in Scooby Doo.
- Hans
Origin:
German, Dutch, and Scandinavian, diminutive of JohannesDescription:
Though familiar to all via such childhood icons as Hans Brinker, Hans(el) and Gretel, and Hans Christian Andersen, few Americans have chosen this name for their sons because of its intractably Old Country image.
- Paolo
Origin:
Italian, variation of PaulMeaning:
"small"Description:
Paolo is an irresistibly lush Italian name for boys, worlds more romantic than its spare English equivalent.
- Whitney
Origin:
English surnameMeaning:
"white island"Description:
Yesterday's sensation that rose with the popularity of Whitney Houston. Whitney may have lost some of its style value, but it still sounds like one of the quintessential English names for girls. Today, you might want to shorten it to cool nickname Whit.
- Tipper
Origin:
Diminutive or variation of Irish surname TabarMeaning:
"water pourer"Description:
A nickname with quirky, old-fashioned charm, Tipper likely comes from the Irish surname, Tabar, meaning "water pourer", though it may also just be used as a playful pet name for a girl, if it happens to suit. Former Second Lady of the United States, Tipper Gore (born Mary Elizabeth), is possibly the most famous bearer, having been bestowed the nickname because her favorite childhood lullaby was "Tippy Tippy Tin".
- Timmy
Description:
Timmy is a warm, friendly masculine name that originated as a diminutive form of Timothy. The root name Timothy comes from the Greek "Timotheos," meaning "honoring God" or "honored by God," and appears in the Bible as the name of Paul's young companion. Timmy gained significant popularity in the mid-20th century, often used as both a nickname and a given name in its own right. The name evokes a sense of youthfulness and approachability, and has been featured in popular culture through characters like Timmy Turner in "The Fairly OddParents" animated series. While some parents now prefer to use Timothy on birth certificates, Timmy continues to be chosen for its cheerful, unpretentious quality and familiar sound. Its usage has declined since its peak but maintains steady recognition.
- Kody
Origin:
Spelling variation of CodyDescription:
Both Kody and Cody — shining stars of the 90s — are in decline, although more people are choosing Cody than Kody.
- Don
Origin:
Diminutive of Donald, ScottishMeaning:
"proud chief"Description:
Short form of Donald -- or more stylishly, Donahue or Donovan -- that's acquired a new sixties-era suaveness thanks to Mad Man Don Draper. The name also carries a Sopranos or Godfather-style double entendre.
- Sheldon
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"steep-sided valley"Description:
Like Marvin and Melvin, Sheldon has been perceived as about as far out as you can get, though there are very pretty towns in Devon and Derbyshire that inspired it. Sheldon Lee Cooper is the lead nerd character on the TV hit The Big Bang Theory, giving the name a brainy image. Nickname Shel (as in Shel Silverstein, author of Where the Sidewalk Ends) could, in the modern world of nature name love, be seen as beach evoking.
- Farley
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"fern clearing"Description:
Actor Farley Granger set it in motion, now could be a gentler alternative to Harley.
- Walt
Origin:
German, diminutive of WalterDescription:
A straightforward, down-to-earth nickname many Walters, from Whitman to Disney, have chosen to go by.
- Bob
Origin:
English, diminutive of RobertMeaning:
"bright fame"Description:
Kids love Bob the Builder, but do they want to be Bob the Builder? Bob and Bobby have been out of style since the 1960s, but as vintage nickname-names -- Fred, Archie -- come back into vogue, Bob may tag along. Charlie Sheen used it for one of his twin sons.
- Pietro
Origin:
Italian variation of Peter, GreekMeaning:
"rock, stone"Description:
Yet another winning international form of Peter.
Introducing the Nameberry App

- Swipe through thousands of names with your partner
- Names you match on are saved to your shared list
- Get personalized recommendations that learn based on your and your partner's preferences
- Partner with friends and family to find names you all love
- Backed by Nameberry's 20 years of data around name preferences.

