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Lojban Cunrafsi Names

SorklaMenli
By SorklaMenli
Updated Fri Mar 17 2023
Short and sweet 3-letter names that just happen to be rafsi. Rafsi are combining forms of words that can be strung together to make compounds, and can be used as nicknames (or as names in their own right) in the Lojban-speaking community.
  1. Kai

    • Origin:

      Hawaiian, Frisian, Chinese

    • Meaning:

      "sea; warrior; triumph"

    • Description:

      Kai is an internationally flexible name with many possible origins and meanings, growing in popularity in the US and a diverse range of European countries.
  2. Kit

    • Origin:

      English diminutive of Katherine, Greek

    • Meaning:

      "pure"

    • Description:

      Kit is a crisp, old-time nickname with plenty of spirit and style. In the UK it's a rising star for boys, while in the US, it is trending upwards for girls too.
  3. Cal

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of names including Cal

    • Meaning:

      "dog; the whole of; dove; bald; war-strife; beautiful"

    • Description:

      Cal is a nickname style name that feels as friendly and calm as it does cool and breezy. While its longer forms have proved more popular over the years, Cal as a stand alone has dropped on and off of the US Top 1000 since the 1880s.
  4. 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.

  5. Mac

    • Origin:

      Scottish or Irish

    • Meaning:

      "son of"

    • Description:

      In Ireland and Scotland, Mac and Mc mean "son of"; here, Mac is a generic fella, or a short form cooler than either Matt or Max. Mac can be a nickname of any longer Mac or Mc starting name such as McCoy or Macalister. If you want to make it feel more complete, you can always spell it Mack.
  6. Ben

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "son of"

    • Description:

      Ben, the diminutive of Benjamin or Benedict, can easily stand on its own as a simple, strong, nice-guy choice, though it's somewhat attenuated. Ben is this generation's Bob or Bill.
  7. Gus

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Augustus, Angus, Gustave, Augustin, Augusten, Augustine, August

    • Description:

      Gus is a homey grandpa nickname name that can work as a short form for any of the above or stand on its own as a cutting-edge replacement for Max and Jake--though it was off the Top 1000 from 1978 until 2016, when it squeaked in at Number 999.
  8. Pip

    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Philip

    • Meaning:

      "lover of horses"

    • Description:

      The original Pip was the main character in Great Expectations (full name Philip Pirrip). Cute for a tike, maybe too cute for an adult.
  9. Jet

    • Origin:

      Mineral and word name

    • Description:

      This super-charged variation of Jett is on the rise -- along with the unlikely newcomer Jetson.
  10. Ted

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Theodore or Edward, Greek or English

    • Meaning:

      "gift of god; rich guard"

    • Description:

      Like Ed, Eddie and Teddy, Ted is rarely used as an independent name – in the US, at least. In the UK, Eddie ranks just outside the Top 200, Teddy ranks just outside the Top 30, and Ted is a Top 200 pick.
  11. Ron

    • Origin:

      Short form of Ronald, Norse

    • Meaning:

      "ruler's counselor"

    • Description:

      Ron is a masculine name that functions both as a standalone name and as a shortened form of longer names like Ronald, Aaron, or Byron. Ronald, its most common source, derives from the Old Norse 'Rögnvaldr,' meaning 'ruler's advisor' or 'decision maker.'
  12. Bix

    • Origin:

      Modern nickname

    • Description:

      Bix is a cool and jazzy nickname name, thanks to that final x. It's largely associated with the legendary and influential cornet player (and inspiration for the novel Young Man With a Horn), Bix Beiderbecke. He was born Leon Bismark Beiderbecke and his nickname derived from his middle name.
  13. Rei

    • Origin:

      Japanese

    • Meaning:

      "bell or beautiful"

    • Description:

      A sweet and simple Japanese name with several possible meanings, depending on the kanji characters used.
  14. Tim

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Timothy, Greek

    • Meaning:

      "honoring God"

    • Description:

      Tim is a boyish short form occasionally given on its own. There were 37 baby boys named Tim in the US last year, versus over 1700 named Timothy.
  15. Jon

    • Origin:

      Variation of John or Jonathan

    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious; or gift of Jehovah"

    • Description:

      Streamlined version of the classic boys' names, sometimes a short form of Jonathan, which is in fact an entirely different name from John attached to a different Biblical personage. Jon feels more modern than the traditional John, but some may find it an overly slight variation on an already slim name. Jon Snow is a popular character on HBO's Game of Thrones.
  16. Pim

    • Origin:

      Dutch diminutive of Willem or William

    • Meaning:

      "resolute protection"

    • Description:

      The short, cute Pim is a Top 100 boys' name in The Netherlands though little-known outside that country. But in a family overrun with Williams, Pim could make an original nickname setting a modern child apart from father Will and grandpa Bill.
  17. Rin

    • Origin:

      Japanese

    • Meaning:

      "dignified, severe"

    • Description:

      A very popular girls' name in Japan whose sound is consistent with its meaning. Another possibility is Ren.
  18. Jin

    • Description:

      Jin is a masculine name with multicultural origins, most prominently associated with East Asian heritage. In Korean, Jin (진) means 'truth' or 'gold' depending on the Chinese character used. In Chinese, Jin (金) typically means 'gold' or 'metal,' symbolizing brightness and prosperity. In Japanese, the name can represent 'benevolence' or 'virtue.' This short, powerful name has gained international recognition while maintaining its cultural significance. Jin's simplicity makes it easy to pronounce across languages, adding to its appeal for multicultural families. While traditionally masculine in East Asian cultures, it occasionally appears as a unisex name in Western contexts. The name has seen increased global visibility through notable bearers, including members of K-pop groups and fictional characters in popular media.

  19. Mai

    • Origin:

      Japanese, French, Welsh, Vietnamese, Navajo

    • Meaning:

      "dance; May; cherry blossom; coyote"

    • Description:

      Cross-cultural winner.
  20. Mel

    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Melvin

    • Meaning:

      "council protector"

    • Description:

      Though most Mels are playing pinochle with Murray and Morris, there was a notable Saint Mel. He is one of the earliest Irish saints, a nephew of St. Patrick. He became a priest, then built a great monastery where he served as abbot.