Nicknames for Girls

  1. Busy
    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Elizabeth
    • Meaning:

      "pledged to God"
    • Description:

      Yes, it's a word name, but Busy is also a rare pet form of Elizabeth. And yes, actress Busy Philipps was christened Elizabeth--she was given the nickname because she was such an active child. She must have been happy with the name, because she also gave her daughters adorable unique baby names, Birdie and Cricket.
  2. Jazz
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      Musical choice that may be a short form of Jasmine or Jazlyn, or might stand on its own like this or as Jaz, the spelling used by tennis duo Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi.
  3. Chani
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Channah or Chandra, Hebrew or Hindi
    • Meaning:

      "grace or goddess of the moon"
    • Description:

      Chani, which rhymes with Johnny, is famous as the name of the character played by Zendaya in the Dune books, video games, and movies. Another force driving the name's use is Canadian astrologer Chani Nicholas.
  4. Zaza
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "movement"
    • Description:

      Funky choice with za-za-zoom. Zaza could be used as a nickname for almost any name with the "za" cluster, including Elizabeth and Esperanza.
  5. Drea
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Alexandrea or Andrea
    • Description:

      Introduced via Sopranos star Drea (born Andrea) de Matteo, and catching on with a wider audience.
  6. Gabby
    • Minta
      • Origin:

        English, diminutive of Araminta, invented hybrid name
      • Description:

        Minta is an eighteenth century short form of a literary beauty still used in England today, but yet to be discovered by American baby namers. It has a fresh and dainty feel.
    • Tibby
      • Origin:

        Diminutive of Elizabeth
      • Meaning:

        "pledged to God"
      • Description:

        Cute and unusual as a nickname, but lacking the legs to stand on its own.
    • Zibby
      • Origin:

        Diminutive of Elizabeth
      • Description:

        Zibby is the adorable, zippy nickname for Elizabeth used for the lead female character in the film "Liberal Arts." Zibby can make a Libby for the 21st century.
    • Keedie
      • Origin:

        Invented name, Scottish surname, diminutive of Katherine
      • Meaning:

        "of the red earth; pure"
      • Description:

        Like a blend of vintage-style Edie and popular Katie, Keedie is either an invented name, a variant of the Scottish surname Keddy, or possibly a short form of Katherine.
        In the case of Soprano singer Keedie Babb, her name was a creation of her father's, inspired by his love of pop star, Kiki Dee. As a variation of the Scottish surname, Keedie would ultimately derive from the Gaelic Mac Adaidh, meaning "the son of Adam" or "son of the red earth". As a diminutive of Katherine, Keedie likely draws inspiration from Kitty, Katie, Kadie, or Kiki.
    • 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".
    • Lil
      • Origin:

        Diminutive of Lillian and Lily, flower name
      • Meaning:

        "lily"
      • Description:

        Spunky old vaudeville era nickname name suddenly sounds new again.
    • Hazy
      • Origin:

        Diminutive form of Hazel, English word name
      • Meaning:

        "the hazelnut tree; foggy, misty atmosphere"
      • Description:

        Weather inspired choices from Sunny to Stormi are currently in vogue, and Hazy could be a contender to replace 70s star Misty. Referring to fog and dry, dusty air, "haze" is an atmospheric phenomenon in which the visibility of the sky is obscured, in turn evoking imagery of hazy, summer days. Alternatively, it might be used a diminutive of popular Hazel, inspired by the likes of Daisy and Maisie.
    • Kota
      • Origin:

        English, Native American
      • Meaning:

        "allies, friends"
      • Description:

        Also used as an exclusively masculine name in Japan and India, as an English name, Kota likely derives from the poplar Dakota. Similar in sound and feel to Kali, Noa, Kora, Koa, and the aforementioned Dakota, it started to be quietly given to girls in the late 2000s.