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Vintage Nicknames

  1. Addie

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Adelaide or Adeline

    • Description:

      Old-fashioned nickname with sweet turn-of-the-last-century charm that's become a favorite among the popular girl names starting with A of today. In fact, with all spellings of Adeline/Adalynn taken together firmly in the Top 10, and Adelaide and Addison also high in the charts, Addie is one of the most frequently-heard short forms around. But no matter how popular (or pandemic) it gets, Addie is undeniably one of the cutest names for baby girls. Little girls might like the fact that it's the name, though spelled Addy, of an American Girl series doll.
  2. Aggie

    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Agatha and Agnes

    • Description:

      Mauve-tinted nickname with vintage charm that could just follow in the footsteps of ABBIE. More prominent now as the nickname for the Texas A&M sports teams.
  3. Annie

    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Ann

    • Meaning:

      "grace"

    • Description:

      Annie is one of the most open and optimistic, the-sun'll-come-out-tomorrow type of name, having been celebrated over the years in song (Annie Laurie), comic strip (Little Orphan Annie), folklore (Annie Oakley, born Phoebe), and film (Annie Hall). It strikes a nice old-fashioned-but-jaunty chord that still has appeal, but we do suggest that you consider putting a more formal version on her birth certificate.
  4. Augie

    • Origin:

      Short form of August and variations

    • Description:

      Augie is an adorable and, at this point, fresher sounding short form than Gus of the rising August and all its variations, from Augustine to Augustus. The Adventures of Augie March is a 1953 novel by Nobel winner Saul Bellow.
  5. Bea

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Beatrice

    • Meaning:

      "she who brings happiness"

    • Description:

      Bea is a former old lady name that's cute again as a short form -- and is now beginning to stand on its own. Bee is a variation that, like Bea, can work as a diminutive for any name that starts with the letter B, or in the middle. Bea actually stood alone on the popularity lists for four years at the beginning of the twentieth century--and it could happen again.
  6. Belle

    • Origin:

      Short form of Isabelle or French

    • Meaning:

      "beautiful"

    • Description:

      Belle has nothing but positive associations, from "belle of the ball" to "Southern belle" to the heroine of Disney's Beauty and the Beast. As if this weren't enough good things, Belle is also one of the most familiar and usable names that mean beautiful. Though it has been overshadowed by the Twilight-influenced Bella and longer forms like Isabella and Annabella, Belle has its own Southern charm and would make a pretty choice as a first or middle name.
  7. Bess

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Elizabeth

    • Meaning:

      "pledged to God"

    • Description:

      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.
  8. Bessie

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Elizabeth, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "pledged to God"

    • Description:

      After a century of association with horses and cows, this name just could be ready for revival by a fearless baby namer -- after all, it did happen to Jessie and Becky.
  9. Betsy

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Elizabeth

    • Meaning:

      "pledged to God"

    • Description:

      This Elizabeth nickname has a decidedly retro feel--think Betsy Ross and the Betsy Wetsy doll-- once seen as a perkier, younger-sounding alternative to Betty. But with Betty on the brink of a comeback, pigtailed Betsy could return as well.
  10. Betty

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Elizabeth

    • Meaning:

      "pledged to God"

    • Description:

      Combine the popularity of Betty White and Mad Men's glamorous Betty Draper Francis, with the residual sweetness of Ugly Betty's Betty Suarez, and the result is an impending return of the name. It's got presidential cred via Betty Ford and feminist history through Betty Friedan.
  11. 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.
  12. Cassie

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Cassandra

    • Meaning:

      "prophetess"

    • Description:

      Though not much in use, still retains a cozy Little House on the Prairie-type pioneer feel.
  13. Charlie

    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Charles, French from German

    • Meaning:

      "free man"

    • Description:

      Charlie derives, of course, from the classic name Charles which, in turn, comes from a German word meaning "free man." Charles became very popular in France during the Middle Ages due to the fame of Charles the Great, also known as Charlemagne. Charley is an alternate spelling.
  14. Dot

    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Dorothy

    • Description:

      Old-fangled nickname could make dot.com era short form or middle name.
  15. Dottie

    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Dorothy

    • Meaning:

      "gift of God"

    • Description:

      Dottie and Dot are old Dorothy nicknames that some cutting-edge Brits are bringing back to fashion. It's been half a century since Dottie ranked on its own in this country, one of those nickname names that flourished in the 1890's.
  16. Eddie

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Edward et al

    • Meaning:

      "wealthy"

    • Description:

      Most parents today call their Edwards Edward -- and we tend to think that's the right call. But it's worth noting that Eddie has been in the Top 1000 every year since records began in 1880; indeed, it was a mainstay on the Top 100 through the 1950s.
  17. Edie

    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Edith

    • Meaning:

      "prosperous in war"

    • Description:

      Edie is part of the Evie-Ellie et al family of cute and friendly short forms that sometimes stand on its own. Briefly popular in the 1960s, it could well be due for rediscovery. It's already a fashionable choice in the UK, where it has ranked just outside the Top 100 for several years.
  18. Effie

    • Origin:

      English diminutive of Euphemia, Greek

    • Meaning:

      "pleasant speech"

    • Description:

      Effie is the old-fashioned short form for Euphemia. It shares a vintage charm with Hattie and Letty although is much rarer than either. Effie is a character in The Hunger Games and Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.
  19. Ellie

    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Eleanor and Ellen

    • Meaning:

      "bright shining one"

    • Description:

      Ellie first took off in the UK—yes, in this nickname form—and this warm and friendly name has also become hugely popular here. In 2011, Ellie entered the US Top 100 girl names for the first time and has remained near the top of the charts ever since.
  20. Elsie

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Elizabeth via its Scottish variation, Elspeth

    • Meaning:

      "pledged to God"

    • Description:

      Elsie is a sweet vintage nickname-name turned modern star. After a 30-year hiatus, Elsie started climbing the US popularity list 20 years ago and is still headed for the top.
  21. Evie

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Eve or Eva

    • Meaning:

      "life"

    • Description:

      Evie was derived from Eve, which in turn comes from Chawwah, a Hebrew name related to the concept of life. Evie can be used as a nickname for any name that starts with Ev-, including Eva, Evelyn, and Evangeline, but also for names such as Genevieve and Maeve. Evie is typically pronounced with a long E sound, but a short E is also valid.
  22. Fanny

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Frances

    • Meaning:

      "free man"

    • Description:

      As this word is less often used to mean derriere, it becomes more possible to view Fanny as the kind of appealingly quaint nickname name, like Josie and Nellie, that many parents are favoring now.
  23. Florrie

    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Florence and Flora

    • Description:

      A sweet Bobbsey-twin era nickname, fluffy and floral.
  24. Flossie

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Florence

    • Meaning:

      "flourishing, prosperous"

    • Description:

      Flossie was an extremely popular Florence nickname that was used independently in the early twentieth century, given to over five hundred girls per year a century ago. Flossie was one of the younger twins in the iconic children's book series The Bobbsey Twins, first published in 1904. Appealing, if a little cutesy--sweet as candy floss. A similar name is Florrie.
  25. Hank

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Henry, German

    • Meaning:

      "estate ruler"

    • Description:

      Hank is a midcentury guy nickname (which actually dates back to the seventeenth century) of the Al/Hal/Dick school, which has been on recess from the playground for decades. Now it's just beginning to be given on its own again, appreciated for its earthy, sportsguy cool. Hanks Aaron and Greenberg (born Henry) and Hank Williams (born Hiram) Sr and Jr. are worthy namesakes.
  26. Hattie

    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Harriet

    • Meaning:

      "estate ruler"

    • Description:

      In the USA, Hattie is one of those nicknames that is now more popular than its parent name, Harriet. In England, however, Harriet is still by far more popular than Hattie, while in Australia, Harriet is highly popular while no data exists on Hattie. In the US, we’d like to see Harriet get more usage but we’re happy to see Hattie again.
  27. Jack

    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of John

    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"

    • Description:

      Jack may have fallen from its Number 1 place in England, but in the US it's as popular as it was at its height in the 1920s and 1930s. A durable, cheery, everyman form of John, Jack ranks as one of the most popular boy names starting with J.
  28. Jeanie

    • Origin:

      Short form of Jean or Jeanne

    • Description:

      Jeanie is a midcentury bobby soxer kind of nickname that might almost be so old it's new again.
  29. Jessie

    • Origin:

      Anglicized form of Teasagh or diminutive of Jessica, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "behold or wealthy"

    • Description:

      Jessie has never been used as much as Jennie/Jenny, partly because it's a boys’ name as well (spelled Jesse), but it does have a friendly and unpretentious pioneer feel. In Scotland, it's found as an Anglicized form of Teasagh, itself a form of Jean, and is used as a full name. And in the rest of the world, Jessie may be short for Jessica or used on its own.
  30. Josie

    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Josephine, feminine of Joseph, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "Jehovah increases"

    • Description:

      Josie is jaunty and friendly: among the most winning of all nickname names. She's been on the social security list since records began being kept.
  31. Kay

    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Katherine, Greek

    • Meaning:

      "pure"

    • Description:

      Kay, a cigarette-smoking, nightclubbing name of the 1930's, could be ready for a comeback along with cousins May/Mae and Ray/Rae.
  32. Kit

    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Christopher

    • Meaning:

      "bearer of Christ"

    • Description:

      Actor Kit Harington, aka the dreamy Jon Snow on Game of Thrones, has given this nickname-name new style and appeal for boys. Actress Jodie Foster used it for her son back in the 2000s, while actor Kit Connor of Heartstopper fame may have introduced it to a wider audience.
  33. Kitty

    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Katherine

    • Meaning:

      "pure"

    • Description:

      This endearing nickname name is one Katherine pet form that predates all the Kathys and Katies, having been fairly common in the eighteenth century. With the current mini-craze for animal-related names, Kitty is sounding cute and cuddly again—she's already jumped back onto the U.K. list, at number 199.
  34. Lettie

    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Letitia, Latin

    • Meaning:

      "joy, gladness"

    • Description:

      Lettie, also spelled Letty, is a nickname name not heard in over a century, giving it the patina of a treasured antique. Lettie's style currency is rising with the trend for old-fashioned, down-to-earth nickname, such as Lottie, Hettie, Hattie, Josie, and Maisie.
  35. Lily

    • Origin:

      English flower name

    • Meaning:

      "lily"

    • Description:

      Lily is the most popular of the popular delicate century-old flower names now making a return, thanks to its many irresistible attributes: a cool elegance and a lovely sound, a symbol of purity and innocence, and a role in Christian imagery.
  36. Lizzie

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Elizabeth, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "pledged to God"

    • Description:

      Lizzie was commonly used as an independent name in the last half of the nineteenth century. Today Lizzie is still one of the most stylish short forms of Elizabeth, but few U.S. parents put it on the birth certificate.
  37. Lottie

    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Charlotte

    • Meaning:

      "free man"

    • Description:

      Lottie is a nostalgic great-grandma name that conjures up lockets and lace, and — like Nellie, Josie, Hattie, Tillie, and Milly — has considerable vintage charm.
  38. Lou

    • Origin:

      Short form of Louise

    • Meaning:

      "renowned warrior"

    • Description:

      Lou is usually a short form of Louise, Louisa, or Lucy in English-speaking countries, when Lou is used for girls at all. But in France and Germany, it's a fashionable choice all on its own, sure to gain even more widespread style credibility since Heidi Klum and Seal chose it for their daughter.
  39. 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.
  40. Lulu

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Louise or Lucy, or Arabic

    • Meaning:

      "pearl"

    • Description:

      Lula has a firecracker personality, a singing and dancing extrovert. Interesting that Lulu was a Top 100 name when the Social Security list was born in 1880, but it's been sliding ever since and has not been in the Top 1000 for decades. Modern parents in love with Lulu might well reverse that trend.
  41. Mae

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Mary or Margaret, Hebrew, Latin

    • Meaning:

      "beloved, bitter, drop of the sea; pearl"

    • Description:

      Mae, a sweet and springlike old-fashioned name, hadn't been on the national charts in forty years, but finally made it back in 2010. Mae is derived from May, the month name that was chosen for its connection to Maia, the Roman goddess of growth and motherhood.
  42. Maggie

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Margaret

    • Meaning:

      "pearl"

    • Description:

      Maggie is a cute, earthy short form that has been in style for several decades now, still sometimes used as an independent name by such parents as Jon Stewart. First used in Scotland, it got a large bump in popularity via the 1971 Rod Stewart hit song "Maggie May." Today's Maggie might just as well be short for a more adventurous name such as Magdalena or Magnolia as for the classic Margaret.

      Maggie Gyllenhaal was born Margaret.

  43. Maisie

    • Origin:

      Scottish diminutive of Margaret or Mary

    • Meaning:

      "pearl or bitter"

    • Description:

      Maisie, a charming name long popular as a nickname for Margaret or Mary, entered the Top 1000 as itself ten years ago and continues to rise. Game of Thrones star Maisie Williams helped propel the name back into the limelight, along with the that of her character, Arya.
  44. Mamie

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Mary or Margaret, Hebrew, Egyptian, Greek

    • Meaning:

      "drop of the sea or bitter or pearl"

    • Description:

      Mamie is back. Having finally shorn her Mamie Eisenhower bangs, this insouciant and adorable nickname name is perfect if you want a zestier way to honor a beloved aunt Mary. Meryl Streep's actress daughter, properly named Mary Willa, is called Mamie Gummer. You might think of Mamie as a sister of the stylish Maisie.
  45. Millie

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Mildred or Millicent

    • Meaning:

      "gentle strength; strong in work"

    • Description:

      Millie is back. It's a Top 100 name throughout much of the English-speaking world, though not yet in the US. Millicent would be an appealing long form, but many people are using Millie all by its cute self -- so many, in fact, that it returned to the Top 500 in 2015 for the first time since World War 2 and continues to climb.
  46. Minnie

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Wilhelmina, German

    • Meaning:

      "resolute protection"

    • Description:

      Minnie was wildly popular at the turn of the last century — it was the fifth or sixth most popular name throughout the 1880s — but is completely obscure in the US today. Blame Mickey's girlfriend. Regardless, it's possible that the up and coming trend toward old-fashioned nickname-names — think Maisie, Mamie, Millie — may give Minnie (all on its own, not as a short form of anything) a new moment in the sun.
  47. Nan

    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Nancy

    • Description:

      Bobbsey Twins-era nickname name that could find new life via Nan, heroine of The Nanny Diaries. Nan was also the nickname of Annabel St George, the protagonist of Edith Wharton's novel "The Buccaneers".
  48. Nannie

    • Description:

      Nannie is a feminine name that originated as a diminutive form of Ann or Nancy. The name has historical roots as an affectionate nickname before establishing itself as a standalone given name, particularly in the Southern United States during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Nannie peaked in popularity in the 1880s-1890s but has since become rare as a formal name. The term also evolved into a common affectionate title for grandmothers or nursemaids in some regions. With its warm, vintage quality, Nannie evokes a sense of nostalgic charm and Southern heritage. Though seldom used for newborns today, it retains a sweet, homespun appeal that connects to a simpler era.

  49. Ned

    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Edward

    • Meaning:

      "wealthy guardian"

    • Description:

      Ned is a gently old-fashioned Nancy Drew-Bobbsey Twins-era short form for Edward that sounds cooler than Ed and is enjoying a small style renaissance.
  50. Nellie

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Helen, Ellen, and Eleanor, English, Swedish

    • Meaning:

      "light, shining torch"

    • Description:

      This sweet nickname name has seen a recent revival in the US, breaking the Top 1000 in 2019 for the first time in 40 years. By 2023, Nellie became one of the fastest rising girl names, chasing sister name Eleanor up the charts. Nellie is an elaboration of Nell, a medieval diminutive of names starting with El, such as Eleanor and Ellen. It may have arisen from the affectionate phrase "mine El" which was later reinterpreted as "my Nel".
  51. Ollie

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Oliver, Latin

    • Meaning:

      "olive tree"

    • Description:

      Down-home nickname name once associated with the friendly dragon on kids' TV. As Oliver rises, we may well hear more Ollies.
  52. Patsy

    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Patricia

    • Meaning:

      "noble, patrician"

    • Description:

      This sassy, spunky name was used for the mostly Irish jump-roping pigtailed girls of the thirties and forties -- and some Irish and Italian boys as well. Its most noted bearer was iconic country music singer Patsy Cline (born Virginia), and was sighted most recently in the Ab Fab movie. After reaching Number 52 in the late thirties, it dropped off the list completely in 1970--and we're not anticipating a return.
  53. Rosie

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "rose"

    • Description:

      Rosy-cheeked and cheery, Rosie (also spelled Rosy) has been standing on her own for many decades, back to the days of 1943 musical Sweet Rosie O'Grady. She's one of the perky nickname-names that are filling the popularity lists of other English-speaking countries. In the US, she came back to the Top 1000 in 2013, after a 30 year hiatus. In 2023, Rosie was one of the fastest rising girl names.
  54. Roxie

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Roxanne

    • Description:

      Audacious offshoot of Roxanne, the wayward heroine of the musical Chicago.
  55. Sophie

    • Origin:

      French variation of Sophia

    • Meaning:

      "wisdom"

    • Description:

      Sophie is the French form of the Greek Sophia, for which it is also commonly used as a nickname. Given Sophia's long standing among the Top 10 girl names in the US, Sophie may feel more popular than it actually is.
  56. Theo

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Theodore

    • Meaning:

      "gift of God"

    • Description:

      See the popularity graph below for the name Theo? It's been heading straight uphill since 2010, when it hopped back onto the Top 1000 after a 60+ year absence.
  57. Tillie

    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Matilda

    • Meaning:

      "battle mighty"

    • Description:

      A surprise recent hit revival with cutting-edge British, Tribeca and Malibu parents; Tillie, also spelled Tilly, is cute, frilly, and sassy all at once. Tilly is currently Number 90 on the England-Wales popularity list, joining such other Top 100 nickname names as Milly, Maisie, Kitty and Lottie. Tillie along with these other short forms transform proper names rooted in other cultures into true English names for girls.
  58. Vinnie

    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Lavinia

    • Description:

      A winning, gold locket nickname name of the turn of the last century, though also a common nickname for Vincent.
  59. Wally

    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Walter or Wallace

    • Description:

      A Leave It to Beaver/old comic-strip name, vacationing for years with the Griswolds in WallyWorld, but now back as WALL-E?
  60. Walt

    • Origin:

      German, diminutive of Walter

    • Description:

      A straightforward, down-to-earth nickname many Walters, from Whitman to Disney, have chosen to go by.
  61. Winnie

    • Origin:

      English diminutive of Winifred

    • Meaning:

      "holy peacemaking, gentle friend"

    • Description:

      This pet form of such names as Winifred and Edwina and Gwendolyn has loads of vintage charm, a la Millie and Maisie, with a decidedly winning vibe. And it just got celebrity cred as the baby daughter of Jimmy Fallon.