Mini Names for Girls

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.

Frisian short form of names that contained the Old Frisian element ēs, meaning "Æsir" (one of the two main pantheons of deities in Norse mythology).

Francie is one of the most neglected nicknames for Frances, despite having more style value than Franny and Fanny and being more unique than Frankie. We'd love to see it get more use, whether as a Frances short form or as an independent name.

A classic short form of Henrietta, also seen as a nickname for Mehetabel.

Dovie was a fairly popular nickname name a century or more ago, dropping off the Top 1000 in the 1940s only to be heading straight back uphill now.

Gentry is a word name that's gaining ground for girls as a kind of updated Jennifer, especially in the Jentry (or Jentri or Jentree) spelling.

Tora is the female version of Tor or Thor, the name of the Norse god of thunder. Actress Jeanne Tripplehorn chose it for her daughter.

Sprightly and engaging nickname for human, full name for pet. Author Jojo Moyes and dancer/singer Jojo Sliwa have propelled the name into the public eye.

Tippi is best known as the nickname of actress Tippi Hedren, star of Hitchcock's "The Birds" and "Marnie." Hedren's real name was Nathalie Kay; her father dubbed her Tippi. Although the name will inevitably be reminiscent of Hedren, it could make a cute short form for a name such as Tiffany or Philippa.

Although she declared her independence as far back as the reign of Elizabeth I — Good Queen Bess, Bess now sounds less passé than Beth or Betsy.

Versa is an uncommon feminine name with multiple potential origins. It may derive from Latin, where 'versa' relates to turning or change, suggesting versatility and adaptability. Alternatively, it could be a modern invention or a shortened form of names like Versailles. In Italian, 'versa' means 'to pour,' adding a fluid, giving connotation. The name's brevity and strong 'v' sound give it a contemporary feel despite its classical roots. Versa remains rare in most countries, making it a distinctive choice. Its simplicity allows for easy pronunciation across cultures while maintaining a unique quality that stands out in a classroom or professional setting.

Old-fashioned nickname for a sister, almost never heard today.

One of the warm and earthy Russian nickname names now coming into style. Denzel Washington gave his daughter the Katia spelling.

Princess Ozma was the leading character of L. Frank Baum's book Ozma of Oz.

As a name, Prim is generally short for Primrose – as in the sweet younger sister of heroine Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games. But a word of warning: it also coincides with the English word "prim", meaning "disapproving, overly correct".

One of the rare English surname names originally derived from a female given name: Eoforhild (Everild), meaning "boar battle". Also spelled Averill, it's an extremely rare choice today, but shares sounds with fashionable Ava and Avery.

Cloris is a feminine name of Greek origin, derived from 'Chloris,' which means 'pale green' or 'greenish-yellow.' In Greek mythology, Chloris was the goddess of flowers and the wife of Zephyrus, the west wind. The name embodies the freshness of spring and new growth. While never extremely common in English-speaking countries, Cloris saw modest usage in the mid-20th century, partly due to the visibility of actress Cloris Leachman. It has a classic, somewhat antiquated charm that appeals to parents seeking a rare botanical name with mythological connections and a melodious sound.

The goddess and personification of victory in Greek mythology – sister to strength, force, and zeal – could make a powerful namesake for a daughter. The goddess would fly a chariot across battlefields rewarding the victors with laurel garlands. Though Nike would make a more unique alternative to her much more popular Roman counterpart, Victoria, be warned that many people’s first association will be the sportswear brand.

A lucky word name that started to rise out of obscurity in the 2010s. Like Dream and True, Charm could be just one celebrity baby away from becoming a big trend. In fact, the Australian YouTube family, The Norris Nuts have a daughter/sister called Charm, born in 2019, after which the number of Charms born in the US increased by 40%. Given to 88 girls in a recent year it is probably more popular than people think.

Vivie is a charming feminine name that functions both as a standalone name and as a diminutive of Vivian or Vivienne. It derives from Latin roots meaning "alive" or "lively," perfectly capturing a sense of energy and vitality. With its concise two-syllable structure and friendly ending sound, Vivie creates an impression of cheerfulness and approachability. The name has a vintage quality that appeals to parents seeking something classic yet uncommon. Though not widely used in most English-speaking countries, Vivie occasionally appears in France and other European regions. Its simplicity makes it easily pronounced across cultures while maintaining its distinctively feminine character. For those seeking a name with inherent brightness and warmth, Vivie offers substance in a compact, memorable form.