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Names with a nicknamey feel

  1. Cass

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Cassandra or Cassia, Greek

    • Meaning:

      "shining or excelling man; cinnamon"

    • Description:

      Ties to the unfortunate Mama are now unraveling, leaving Cass or Cassie to stand on its own as a fresher sounding Cathy or Kate. With gender-neutral names abound and the growing trend of boyish nicknames for girls, Cass may be on the up and up.
  2. Clancy

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "red-haired warrior"

    • Description:

      Clancy, one of the original crossover Irish surname names, is as energetic and appealing as ever — full of moxie, more distinctive than Casey, and also one of the less obvious of the red-headed names.
  3. Clem

    • Origin:

      , English, diminutive of Clement

    • Description:

      Laid-back and humble, with a distinctive down-home charm.
  4. Cleo

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "glory"

    • Description:

      Cleo, one of the few girls' names to boast the cool-yet-lively o ending, is of course short for Cleopatra, the name of one of the most powerful women in history.
  5. Cole

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "swarthy, coal black"

    • Description:

      Cole -- a short name that embodies a lot of richness and depth -- has long been associated with the great songwriter Cole Porter. It's quite popular in Scotland.
  6. Deenie

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of names ending in deen, dene or dine, or short form of Deanna

    • Meaning:

      "valley; divine"

    • Description:

      Best associated with the Judy Blume novel of the same name, Deenie is a retro feeling nickname choice.
  7. Dell

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "shaded valley"

    • Description:

      A sweet and simple nature name that could also be short for the surname name Odell, the vintage name Della, or the obscure saint's name Endellion.
  8. Della

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Adela, Adele or Adelaide

    • Meaning:

      "noble"

    • Description:

      Fresh, bright, and sunny, Della could be an alternative to Ella, Delilah, or Adeline. Familiar but not yet overused, it combines the elements of contemporary favorites with vintage charm.
  9. Denny

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Dennis

    • Description:

      Fast-food chain, no longer a baby.
  10. Dessie

    • Description:

      Dessie is a charming feminine name with multiple origins. Primarily considered a diminutive of Desdemona (from Greek, meaning 'ill-fated'), it's also used as a nickname for names like Desirée (French for 'desired') or Odessa (derived from a Ukrainian city name). Additionally, Dessie is the name of a city in Ethiopia, giving it geographical significance. The name peaked in popularity in the early 1900s in the United States, particularly in southern regions, and carries a sweet, vintage quality. With its soft sounds and approachable nature, Dessie evokes a friendly, warm personality. Though relatively uncommon today, it maintains appeal for parents seeking a distinctive yet accessible name with historical roots and a gentle, feminine quality.
  11. Donny

    • Description:

      Donny is a masculine name most commonly used as a diminutive of Donald, which derives from the Scottish Gaelic name Dòmhnall, meaning "world ruler" or "world mighty." The name gained significant popularity in the mid-20th century, particularly in the United States, partly due to the fame of performers like Donny Osmond. Donny has a friendly, approachable quality that maintains the strength of Donald while adding a more casual, boyish charm. Though its usage as a formal given name has declined since its peak, it remains recognized as both a nickname and standalone name. Donny carries a nostalgic appeal for many, evoking the easy-going American culture of the 1960s and 1970s, while still functioning as a personable, unpretentious option for boys today.

  12. Drew

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Andrew

    • Meaning:

      "strong and manly"

    • Description:

      Drew, which projects a polished, somewhat intellectual impression, is rapidly becoming the Andrew nickname of choice, replacing the past favorite, Andy. It is fully capable of standing on its own, which it has for many decades, non-stop since 1942.
  13. 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.
  14. Effie

    • Origin:

      English diminutive of Euphemia, Greek

    • Meaning:

      "pleasant speech"

    • Description:

      Effie is the old-fashioned short form for Euphemia. It shares a vintage charm with Hattie and Letty although is much rarer than either. Effie is a character in The Hunger Games and Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.
  15. Eli

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "ascended, uplifted, high"

    • Description:

      With its sharp, succinct sounds and cool, laidback style, Eli is a popular choice among parents today. Compact and punchy, it is a Biblical name with plenty of charm.
  16. Elsie

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Elizabeth via its Scottish variation, Elspeth

    • Meaning:

      "pledged to God"

    • Description:

      Elsie is a sweet vintage nickname-name turned modern star. After a 30-year hiatus, Elsie started climbing the US popularity list 20 years ago and is still headed for the top.
  17. Emmy

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Emily and Emma

    • Meaning:

      "work; universal"

    • Description:

      Long a nickname for all the Em-names, as well as an annual award, Emmy is now being given on its own, as are soundalikes Emme and Emmi. Might be too identified with the TV awards--though that doesn't seem to have hurt Oscar or Tony. We think Emmy is a little too cutesey, and is probably best kept as a nickname for something that ages a little better.
  18. Eppie

    • Description:

      Eppie is a feminine name traditionally used as a diminutive of Euphemia, a Greek name meaning 'well-spoken' or 'words of good omen.' It gained literary recognition through George Eliot's novel 'Silas Marner,' where Eppie is the adopted daughter of the protagonist. The name has Scottish and English roots and was moderately popular in the 19th century. Eppie has a cheerful, vintage charm with its playful double 'p' sound and friendly ending. Though not commonly used in modern times, it retains appeal among parents seeking uncommon vintage names with historical depth. Its short, sweet nature makes it both distinctive and accessible.
  19. Essie

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Esther, Persian

    • Meaning:

      "star"

    • Description:

      Cute short form of Esther, now associated with the iconic nail polish brand.
  20. Etta

    • Origin:

      English and Scottish, short form of any name ending with -etta: Henrietta, Loretta etc.

    • Description:

      Thanks to the surprise hit revival of Etta James' song At Last and because of recent interest in vintage style nicknames, Etta has established herself as a possible successor to Emma and Ella. Back in the US Top 1000 as of 2023 and rising rapidly up the UK charts, where it sits in the Top 200, Etta is a snappy, smart and sparky choice.