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Names with a nicknamey feel

  1. Ginny
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Virginia, Ginevra, Genevieve, or Imogen
    • Meaning:

      "virgin, pure; white wave; maiden"
    • Description:

      A nickname to Latin Virginia, French Genevieve, Italian Ginevra, English Imogen, and any other name with the 'gin' sound in there, Ginny ranked in the latter end of the US charts in the mid 20th century. Made familiar again in the contemporary world by the show Ginny & Georgia, along with the Harry Potter character, Ginny has seen a small amount of attention in recent years, given to around 50 babies in the latest stats.
  2. Nell
    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Helen, Eleanor, et al
    • Meaning:

      "bright, shining one"
    • Description:

      Nell, once a nickname for Helen, Ellen, or Eleanor, is a sweet old-fashioned charmer that is fashionably used today in its own right. While Nell is perfectly in tune with contemporary vintage name style, it hasn't taken off the way some of its sisters have and so maintains an air of distinction. Use Nell or Nellie as a short for any name from Eleanor to Penelope or just name her Nell.
  3. Sol
    • Origin:

      Spanish
    • Meaning:

      "sun"
    • Description:

      Although pinochle-playing partner Sam came out of retirement, we don't see it happening to Sol. Near soundalike Saul has more of a shot.

  4. Clem
    • Origin:

      , English, diminutive of Clement
    • Description:

      Laid-back and humble, with a distinctive down-home charm.
  5. Libby
    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Elizabeth
    • Meaning:

      "pledged to God"
    • Description:

      Through all the years when Betty, Betsy, Beth, Liz, and Lizzie were the Elizabethan nicknames of choice, the bubblier Libby was set aside, but today it may be the most modern of all—it has already made a strong comeback in England and Wales, where it ranks Number 139.
  6. Lula
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of any Lu name
    • Description:

      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 Lucy or Louise, or may stand on its own two adorable feet. Lula was actually a Top 50 name in the late 1880's and continued in the Top 100 for a couple of decades more.
  7. Scout
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Meaning:

      "one who gathers information covertly"
    • Description:

      Scout, a character nickname from To Kill a Mockingbird (her real name was Jean Louise), became a real-life possibility when Bruce Willis and Demi Moore used it for their now-grown middle daughter, followed by Tom Berenger a few years later.
  8. Mitzi
    • Origin:

      German, diminutive of Maria
    • Meaning:

      "beloved; drop of the sea, bitter"
    • Description:

      Mitzi is a sparky German nickname name that might appeal to parents drawn to the genre of lively vintage girl names that proliferated in 1930's musicals. Actress and entertainer Mitzi Gaynor (born Francesca Marlene de Czani von Gerber) made this a notable name in mid-century America, where it ranked alongside Jerri, Sherri, Christi, Jodi, and Mimi.
  9. Cadie
    • Description:

      Cadie is a feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may be a diminutive form of names like Cadence or Arcadia, or a modern variant of Katie or Kady. With its friendly, approachable sound, Cadie strikes a balance between sweetness and simplicity. The name gained modest popularity in the United States during the early 2000s, possibly influenced by golf terminology where a 'caddie' assists players on the course. While not among the most common names, Cadie offers a contemporary feel with its succinct spelling and soft sounds. The name works well across age groups, from childhood to adulthood. Parents might choose Cadie seeking something familiar yet not overused, with a casual, unpretentious charm and modern sensibility.
  10. Cass
    • Origin:

      English 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.
  11. Ezrie
    • Ezzie
      • Fia
        • Origin:

          Irish, Portuguese, Italian
        • Meaning:

          "wild, weaver"
        • Description:

          Fia may be most notable at this moment as the Anglicized version of the Irish Fiadh, one of the fastest-rising names in the Republic of Ireland. The meaning of Fia or Fiadh is sometimes given as "deer" but that's in the sense of a wild deer, as the name relates to the ancient word for wild.
      • Jaz
        • Origin:

          English, diminutive of Jasmine or Jasper
        • Description:

          Unisex variation of Jazz or Jasper that couldn't say it more plainly. Used for their daughter by tennis couple Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi.
      • Jem
        • Origin:

          Diminutive of James or Jeremiah
        • Description:

          This name of the ten-year-old boy in the much loved and acclaimed modern classic To Kill a Mockingbird could find favor along with that of the character's sister, Scout.
      • Joss
        • Origin:

          English diminutive of Jocelin
        • Meaning:

          "the merry one"
        • Description:

          Joss hadn't been heard much in this country before the emergence of Joss (born Joseph) Whedon, creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, et al; it would make a catchy middle name choice. Female British singer Joss Stone was born Jocelyn.
      • Jordie
        • Keats
          • Origin:

            English literary name
          • Meaning:

            "kite"
          • Description:

            Poetic and easy to pronounce (it's keets), this is one of many poets' names to consider, such as Auden, Eliot, Frost, Byron, Lorca, Marlowe, Blake, Emerson and Tennyson. Likely meaning "kite", in reference to the bird of the same name, it could also be used as a nickname to Keaton, or as an alternative to vintage Kit.
        • Lux
          • Origin:

            Latin
          • Meaning:

            "light"
          • Description:

            This name of a character played by Kirsten Dunst in the movie Virgin Suicides, originally a novel by Jeffrey Eugenides, is gaining attention, also thanks to the heroine Lux, Lady of Luminosity in the League of Legends games. Luz is the Spanish version.
        • Mally
          • Origin:

            Scottish short form of Mary, Hebrew or Egyptian,"drop of the sea; bitter; beloved; love"
          • Meaning:

            "drop of the sea; bitter; beloved; love"
          • Description:

            Mally actually has several possible derivations beyond being a medieval nickname, ala Molly, for Mary . It might be a diminutive of names like Mallory, derived from French meaning "unfortunate" or "unlucky," or as a nickname for Amalia, meaning "work" or "labor" in Germanic languages.

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