Boyish Nicknames for Girls

Niko was used for 14 baby girls in the US last year, and twin sister Nico for another 30 -- though that's still far fewer than the 1500 baby boys who were given one of those two names.

Joss is more fashionable than Jocelyn or Josslyn. This is a short form that could be used independently, a la the singer Joss Stone. One of a troupe of adorable boyish nicknames newly fashionable for girls a la Lou and Charlie.

Using the 'ie' ending makes Johnny slightly more feminine, which must have been what Melissa Etheridge was thinking when she named one of her twins Johnnie Rose.

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.

Diminutive of Montague or Montgomery that has long been used as a standalone for boys – and for a few girls too, especially during the middle years of the 20th century. It has largely fallen out of favor, though it is frequently used as a standalone boys'name across the pond. With boyish nicknames for girls - a la Charie and Stevie - on trend, Monty has the chance to come back.

One of the earliest of the relaxed, unisex names, now relegated to oldies rock stations. Ricki is a spirited, retro nickname traditionally short for Frederica but now stands strong on its own. Notable bearers include talk show host Ricki Lake, giving it a bold, independent vibe.

Boyish nicknames for girls are trending! Gus - short for the proper Augusta - fits alongside casual cool girls Jo and Lou. With August and Gus rising for boys, maybe Gus will be next to cross over.

Sweet and soft alternative to Sasha. Typically used as a diminutive for the Russian male names like Pavel, which itself is a diminutive of Paul. But could be used as a twist on Pauline. Pasha offers an international flair with a cozy, approachable vibe.

One of the trendiest names for boys, Jax is becoming familiar on the girls' side through the singer/songwriter and Tiktok star Jax, born Jackie.

If you're over Allie, consider Alfie. This nickname name has already made a splash as a top 20 pick for boys across the pond. But with the growing trend of scrappy tomboy names, Alfie makes a promising choice for girls too.

Bernie is an old school unisex nickname name, on the order of Bobbie or Willie. But with Billie and her tomboyish crew coming back, it's time to get Bernie on your radar! Bernie has a certain vintage charm and is boosted by the funky clunky Bernadette long form.

Somewhat surprisingly, this old-school David nickname is now used for baby girls in the US more than 80% of the time. In fact, Davie is really heating up for baby girls, in the same style as Frankie and Scottie and Stevie.

Now that Theodora (and Dorothea) are back, the adorable Teddi might work again for a baby girl. Teddi fits the rising trend of boyish nicknames for girls - alongside picks like Leni and Charlie.

This old man nickname feels remarkably fresh when applied to girls. The cutesy -ie spelling makes it feel very feminine. Use it as a short form of Lena, Helena, Magdalena, Lennon or Lennox. The pan-European Leni is identical in sound yet feels a little lighter and fresher, and is a fashionable favorite in Germany.

Mack, a no-nonsense nickname with roots in Mackenzie, is part of the growing trend of boyish names for girls. Its crisp, modern feel gives it standout appeal alongside similar picks like Max and Drew. Not often heard on girls, although Hillary Scott used it as the middle name for her daughter Betsy in 2018.

Toby is an early unisex name with a Shakespearean pedigree; when used for a girl it retains its tomboyish quality. Fits well with the growing trend of boyish nicknames for girls -- alongside rising choices like Frankie and Stevie. Toby peaked as a girl's name in 1936 and was last on the charts in 1975. Though, it's been slowly rising in recent years with nearly 100 baby girls named Toby in 2023.

Artie is usually short for Arthur, but with boyish nicknames like Billie and Frankie rising it may be time to consider Artie for a girl too. Artie works as a sweet retro tomboy name, a possible nickname for Artemis or Arlette, and a way to honor Grandpa Arthur.

A jaunty offshoot of Sullivan, Sully will be associated by kids with the beloved character in the Pixar animated film Monsters, Inc. Rare for a girl, but with a cool surnamey style and echoes of midcentury favorite Sally.

Duke has recently been seen on the TV show Better Things as the name of the youngest of three sisters, the other two having the very on trend names Max and Frankie.

Gussie fits the growing trend of boyish nicknames for girls - alongside Charlie and Frankie. But Gussie is a bit fussy — try Gus.