User-created list
By maggiethurstons · Updated May 2023
Across 43 pages
of 43
Italian and Spanish diminutive of Nina
"little girl"
Might be carrying things too far -- little little girl? -- though could freshen up this favorite.
Latin and Scandinavian variation of Oliver
Unconventional nickname option that's best kept as a nickname.
Welsh
"shining, holy"
Nolwenn is popular in Wales but would be a very adventurous choice in the US. Though with the increased visibility of names like Arwen, thanks to Lord of the Rings , it may not feel as odd going…
Variation of Odie, English or German
"of the valley; wealthy"
We can't get past the odd part of this name.
French variation of German Otthild
"prospers in battle"
Odette's evil Swan Lake twin -- gives the name a sinuous, sensuous appeal. It was a popular choice in France in the 20th century and made the Top 40 back in 1952, however, it has since fallen out of…
Diminutive of Ophrah, Hebrew
"fawn"
A very old-fashioned nickname for the biblical city name Ophrah.
Finnish
"happiness, luck"
A popular Finnish name with an upbeat meaning, Onni is a popular choice in its native Finland where a recent year saw it rank at #6 — though it has ranked as high as #1 in the 2010s. Fairly intuitive…
French variation of Ophelia
"help"
Though this name properly takes an accent over the first e, most Americans would probably have trouble pronouncing it with French elan. Ophelie is the title of a Rimbaud poem, Ophelie Davis is a…
Otilie is a feminine name of German origin, derived from the medieval name Odilia, which comes from the Germanic elements 'odo' meaning 'wealth' or 'fortune' and 'hild' meaning 'battle.' Saint Odilia…
German
Wears long blonde braids, carries a spear, and sings duets with Brunhild. But variations Ottilie, Ottiline, or Ottoline are both unusual and chic.
Ottiline is a rare feminine name with Germanic and Old English influences. It appears to be a variant of Ottoline, which combines elements meaning 'prosperity' and 'serpent' or 'dragon.' The name…
French and English, diminutive of Ottolie
Curiously appealing, in a hoop-skirted, wasp-waisted way, Ottoline has recently entered the realm of modern possibility, especially since Sienna Miller chose it as the middle name of her daughter…
Variation of Paul, Latin
"small"
Paulie is one short form that never caught on the way Stevie and Danny did, except for the sadistic mama's boy on The Sopranos . Pauley buttons it up and turns it into a surname.
English
"enclosed meadow"
And if it's triplets: Pembroke, Pendleton, and Penley.
"awe-inspiring"
Most famous as the name of King Pepin the Short, this choice might feel somewhat belittling. The even-shorter form is Pippin, a name adopted for musical theater, and the Dutch form Pepijn is in that…
English, Sanskrit
"berry"
More popularly used for girls, this peppy word name has been worn by football player Pepper Johnson (born Thomas and given the childhood nickname for sprinkling pepper on his cereal) and appears in…
English from Greek
"leaf"
Petal is the soft and sweet-smelling name of a character in the novel and film, The Shipping News . With the rise of such flower names as Poppy and Posy, we believe Petal — down-to-earth yet romantic…
English, diminutive of Philip
"lover of horses"
The original Pip was the main character in Great Expectations (full name Philip Pirrip). Cute for a tike, maybe too cute for an adult.
