Now on iOS & AndroidSwipe baby names with your partner — match on names you both love.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play
Nameberry Logo
​
​

Short-ish Names for Girls

  1. Nixie

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "water nymph"

    • Description:

      If you love Dixie, Trixie and Pixie, this name of a mermaid-like sprite in German folklore may be for you. It might also make an update for Nicki.
  2. Pari

    • Origin:

      Iranian/Persian

    • Meaning:

      "fairy"

    • Description:

      Simple yet meaningful Iranian name that would make an excellent import to the English-speaking world.
  3. Rica

    • Origin:

      Scandinavian, diminutive of Federica or Erica

    • Description:

      Pretty but slight.
  4. Riza

    • Origin:

      Hungarian short form of Rozalia or Terezia, Filipino diminutives of Clarissa or Rizal, Urdu, Arabic

    • Meaning:

      "rose flower; to harvest; clear, bright; rice field; satisfaction, contentment"

    • Description:

      As a diminutive name, Riza is used predominantly in the Philippines, though it also has its roots in Hungarian, and in Arabic. Spirited yet familiar, Riza could be related to the surname Rizal meaning "rice field", to the names Tereza and Clarissa, or to the Arabic masculine name Rida, meaning "contentment".
  5. Rue

    • Origin:

      Botanical names or word name

    • Meaning:

      "herb; regret"

    • Description:

      Rue has gone from Golden Girls actress to Hunger Games heroine to a fresh alternative to beloved middle name Rose. This botanical name is also a coincidental double word name, meaning "regret" in English and "street" in French. Despite these unfortunate secondary meanings, Rue has real potential to be one of the most popular new middle names for girls.
  6. Sabre

    • Description:

      Sabre is a feminine name derived from the word for a type of curved sword, originating from the French "sabre," which came from the Hungarian "szablya." As a name, Sabre projects strength, sharpness, and a cutting edge – qualities that give it a powerful, distinctive character. While uncommon as a given name, it has occasionally been used in English-speaking countries since the mid-20th century. The name carries connotations of fierceness and determination, appealing to parents seeking a strong, unusual choice for their daughters. Sabre's military associations give it a certain boldness, while its short, crisp sound makes it memorable and impactful. This rare name might appeal particularly to families with military connections or those drawn to names that convey power and precision.

  7. Sabrine

    • Origin:

      French form of Sabrina, British river name

    • Description:

      Sabrina is the Latin name for the Severn, Britain's longest river. Drop the final syllable and you get a streamlined, French-esque name that's just as elegant, but without the Teenage Witch association. Sabrine has been used in the USA since 1970, but never for more than 18 girls a year — that makes it a rare gem.
  8. Sanna

    • Origin:

      Swedish, Finnish, Inuktitut

    • Meaning:

      "lily"

    • Description:

      If you're ready to move beyond Anna and Hannah, consider this traditional Scandinavian short form of Susanna, historically very popular in its native lands.
  9. Skya

    • Description:

      Skya is a modern feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may be a creative variation of 'Sky' or 'Skye,' referencing the heavens and conveying a sense of limitlessness and freedom. The name could also have Scandinavian or Scottish influences, possibly relating to the Isle of Skye in Scotland. Some parents might choose Skya as a unique spelling of the Sanskrit-derived 'Skaya,' meaning 'branch' or 'protection.' With its compact, flowing sound and distinctive appearance, Skya appeals to parents seeking something contemporary yet meaningful. Though rare in statistical records, the name's connection to nature and the celestial realm gives it appealing symbolic depth.
  10. Tabby

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Tabitha, Aramaic

    • Meaning:

      "gazelle"

    • Description:

      Feline nickname for Tabitha — a bewitching vintage choice.
  11. Tansy

    • Origin:

      Flower name, from Greek

    • Meaning:

      "immortality"

    • Description:

      Tansy is a flower name rarer than Rose, livelier than Lily and a lot less teasable than Pansy.
  12. Teddy

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Theodora, Greek

    • Meaning:

      "gift of God"

    • Description:

      Cute boyish short forms like Teddy and Frankie and Billie are in some ways a relic of the past, of the days before unisex names, when girls were given feminized versions of their father's names, but they are starting to come into their own again.
  13. Thisbe

    • Origin:

      Greek mythological name, meaning unknown

    • Description:

      Thisbe, the name of a beautiful but tragic lover in mythology, is lively and cute -- in a slightly thistly, prickly way. Ovid retold the story of Thisbe and Pyramus, young lovers in ancient Babylon kept apart by family rivalry, which was the inspiration for Romeo and Juliet. A modern bearer of the name is writer Thisbe Nissen.

      In Sarah Dessen's novel Along for the Ride, the baby daughter is named Thisby, nn Isby.

  14. Trixie

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Beatrix, Latin

    • Meaning:

      "she who brings happiness"

    • Description:

      A sassy, spunky name for the bold parent who doesn't remember Mrs. Ed Norton on The Honeymooners or who's into the nicknames-as-given-names trend sweeping the UK and returning to the US.
  15. Wrenna

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "wren"

    • Description:

      The Old English word for a male wren has now become an elaboration of the bird name for girls. Rising up alongside Wrenley, Renli, Wrenn, Wrenlynn, and so on, in the US, Wrenna was given to 67 girls in a recent year — double the number it was chosen for the year prior. This number could rise, not only because Wren names are in vogue, but because Wrenna may feel more grounded, owing to its similarity to Jenna, Rowena, and Olenna.
  16. Xenia

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "hospitable, welcoming, guest"

    • Description:

      The name of a Christian saint and a city in Ohio, Xenia is one of the more accessible and intriguing x names. It is the name of one of the Bond Girls--played by Famke Janssen in the film "GoldenEye."
  17. Zanna

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Susanna; Polish variation of Jane, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "lily or pledged to God"

    • Description:

      A feminine multicultural nickname name perfectly able to stand on its own, Zanna might technically relate to either Susanna or Jane, making it a flexible honor name for an ancestral Susan or Jane or even John.
  18. Zuzu

    • Origin:

      Czech diminutive of Susan

    • Meaning:

      "lily"

    • Description:

      This sizzling nickname Zuzu is heard every Christmas as the name of Jimmy Stewart's little girl in "It's a Wonderful Life," but we love it all year round as a lively alternative to double names like Gigi and Bibi.

The Nameberry App Is Live

Nameberry app screenshot
Find your perfect baby name together in our app, now available on the App Store and Google Play.
  • 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.
Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play
Nameberry app screenshot