Names with a nicknamey feel
- Mitzi
Origin:
German, diminutive of MariaMeaning:
"bitter"Description:
Mitzi is a spunky German nickname name that might appeal to parents drawn to the genre of lively vintage chorus girl names that proliferated in 1930's musicals. Lively entertainer Mitzi Gaynor--who was originally named Francesca Marlene de Czani von Gerber--made the name notable in mid-century America.
- Joss
Origin:
English diminutive of JocelinMeaning:
"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.
- Misty
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"mist"Description:
The Play Misty for Me jokes will get old really fast.
- Jem
Origin:
Diminutive of James or JeremiahDescription:
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.
- Landry
Origin:
French and EnglishMeaning:
"ruler"Description:
Landry is one rising surname name, often after legendary Dallas Cowboys football coach Tom Landry, that is given to boys and girls. But the y ending does give it a feminine sound (as opposed to the more boyish and more popular Landon). Land is a Landry nickname that might work for boys or girls.
- Clancy
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"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.
- Allie
Origin:
Variation or diminutive of Alexandra, Alice or Allison; Greek, German or ScottishMeaning:
"defending men or noble"Description:
Allie is one short form that's gotten so popular it's often used as a name on its own. Cute, friendly, yet we'd recommend using one of the proper names such as Alice to give your daughter an option.
- Posy
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"a bunch of flowers"Description:
A sweet, nostalgic nosegay kind of name, Posy has been long fashionable in England, a country of gardeners, but this pretty bouquet-of-flowers name is still rarely heard in the US, though it could be seen as a more unusual possible alternative to Rosy or Josie.
- Tansy
Origin:
Flower name, from GreekMeaning:
"immortality"Description:
Tansy is a flower name rarer than Rose, livelier than Lily and a lot less teasable than Pansy.
- Abram
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"father of multitudes"Description:
Abram was Abraham's original name in the Bible; it's more user-friendly but with a bit less gravitas. And it does offer that cool nickname Bram, as well as the friendly Abe. After some early American usage, in 1936 Abram completely disappeared for nearly forty years, until its return in the 1970s.
- Lux
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"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.
- Ginny
Origin:
English, diminutive of Virginia, American place-name and LatinMeaning:
"virginal"Description:
Ginny was more common before Jenny and its myriad variants came along.
- Marcy
Origin:
Diminutive of MarciaMeaning:
"Mars, god of war"Description:
Marcy is about as hip as bobby sox and saddle shoes – which is to say, it's probably due a revival in the not-too-distant future! It was a typical Peanuts character name, which peaked in the seventies, but is starting to attract attention again across the pond, where soundalikes like Macy, Marnie, Maisy, Darcy and Lacey are already popular.
- Essie
Origin:
Diminutive of Esther, PersianMeaning:
"star"Description:
Cute short form of Esther, now associated with the iconic nail polish brand.
- Perrie
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"dweller near a pear tree"Description:
Perrie, a soft and playful twist on Perry, gained attention through Perrie Edwards, singer of the British girl group Little Mix. With its sleek -ie ending, Perrie fits right in with rising unisex names and stylish picks like Frankie and Stevie.
- Ami
Origin:
Japanese, Sanskrit, or variation of AmyMeaning:
"second beauty; second ocean; second truth; nectar; beloved"Description:
A multicultural unisex choice that peaked for girls at the same time as Amy. Ami is also the French word for "friend."
- Mica
Origin:
Short form of MichalDescription:
Mica is not the same name -- though it sounds the same -- as Micah, but the h makes it feel more masculine.
- Keats
Origin:
English literary nameMeaning:
"kite"Description:
Poetic and easier to pronounce (it's keets) than Yeats (which is yates). This one of many poets' names to consider, such as Auden, Eliot, Frost, Byron, Lorca, Marlowe, Blake, Emerson and Tennyson, which was used by Russell Crowe.
- Lonnie
Origin:
Short form of Alonso or Alonzo, variations of AlphonsoMeaning:
"noble, ready"Description:
Lonnie is one of those antiquated nicknames that is used much more often in the US than you might think, especially as a short form of Alonso or Alonzo, names always on the US Top 1000.
- Alby
Description:
Alby is a diminutive form of Albert or Albin, carrying a friendly, approachable quality. Of Germanic origin, it means 'noble' or 'bright' depending on its root name. While less common as a standalone name, Alby has maintained modest usage as both a nickname and given name, particularly in English-speaking countries. Its short, two-syllable structure makes it appealing for parents seeking a name that's simple yet distinctive. Alby has a youthful charm that can transition well into adulthood, balancing familiarity with uniqueness. In popular culture, characters named Alby have appeared in literature and film, slightly boosting its recognition without making it overly common.