Unisex Nicknames
- Gabe
Origin:
Short form of Gabriel, HebrewMeaning:
"God is my strength"Description:
Gabe ranked in the Top 1000 from 1880 until 1905, when it fell into obscurity. There are fewer than 100 boys named Gabe, just plain Gabe, each year in the US, compared with over 10,000 named Gabriel. Our advice: Go with the crowd and choose the angelic long form, and then call him Gabe if you want to.
- Jessie
Origin:
Variation of JesseDescription:
The -ie version is usually for girls, with the simple e ending—pronounced the same as Jessie—for boys, though the spellings sometimes cross gender lines.
- Jo
Origin:
Diminutive of Joanna or Josephine, HebrewMeaning:
"Jehovah increases"Description:
The name Jo still evokes the spunky image of the character in Louisa May Alcott's Little Women. Its literary status makes Jo one of the OG boyish nicknames for girls, ala Frankie, Billie, and Stevie. If you like that form, you can lengthen it to Joey.
- Freddy
Origin:
Diminutive of FrederickMeaning:
"peaceful ruler"Description:
Another old-school nickname getting new attention thanks to TV's Mad Men. Names like Fred, Pete, and George have been out so long it's time for them to come back in. It reentered the US Top 1000 in 2015 following a two-year absence from the list. It currently ranks Number 199 in England and Wales.
- Pat
Origin:
Diminutive of PatrickMeaning:
"noble, patrician"Description:
As seen on SNL, Pat is the ultimate androgynous name. Stick with long form Patrick, and make sure everyone calls him Patrick.
- Stevie
Description:
Stevie is a masculine name that originated as a diminutive of Stephen or Steven, meaning "crown" or "garland" from Greek origins. While traditionally a nickname, Stevie gained popularity as a standalone name in the mid-20th century, bolstered by famous bearers like musician Stevie Wonder and singer Stevie Nicks (who popularized it for females as well). For boys, Stevie carries a friendly, approachable quality while maintaining masculine associations. The name peaked in popularity during the 1950s-1970s but has maintained steady usage since. Stevie offers the rare combination of being recognizable without being overly common, with a vintage charm that appeals to contemporary parents. The name evokes a sense of warmth and familiarity while still feeling distinctive in today's naming landscape.
- Gussie
Description:
Gussie is traditionally a masculine nickname that originated as a diminutive for names like Augustus, Augustine, or Gustav. These parent names have Latin and Germanic roots meaning "revered," "great," or "staff of the Goths." Gussie was fairly common in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in the southern United States, giving it a vintage, folksy charm. While primarily used for boys historically, it occasionally appeared as a nickname for girls named Augusta or Augustine as well. The name declined in popularity after the 1920s but retains nostalgic appeal. Gussie exemplifies the trend of reviving antique nickname-names as formal names, appealing to parents drawn to names with historical character and unpretentious warmth.
- Izzy
Origin:
NicknameDescription:
Multipurpose pet name serving Isidore, Isaac, Israel, and -- increasingly -- Isabel.
- Nicky
Origin:
Diminutive of Nicholas or NicoleDescription:
Nicky is a forever-cute short form of Nicholas once used as a full name but now relegated to nickname (no pun intended) status.
- Georgie
Origin:
Diminutive of George, GreekMeaning:
"farmer"Description:
A warm and cuddly nickname name, although he famously "kissed the girls and made them cry" in the old nursery rhyme.
- Mattie
Origin:
Diminutive of Matthew, HebrewMeaning:
"gift of God"Description:
Mattie ranked among the Top 1000 for boys a century ago, in the heyday of the nickname-name. Today, few parents would dream of putting it on the birth certificate, preferring it as a short form for the perennially-popular Matthew. Mattie is in the Top 1000 in the U.S. for girls.
- Gerry
Origin:
English, diminutive of GeraldineDescription:
Gerry was hep along with poodle skirts and banana splits.
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