Vintage Nicknames for Girls

It sounds like a modern nature name, but Leafy was coined as a Puritan nickname for the girls' name Relief, which referred to the relief of Christ.

This Victorian pen name is the childish version of the novelist's real name, Louisa, but it has managed to gain a sophisticated image. Ouisa is a similar childhood nickname name.

Cutesy pet form of Clementine.

You can just hear some sassy dame in a 1930s movie using this name. We prefer the original -- or even its original, Amabel.

Barra is a Gaelic-speaking island in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland, that’s been inhabited since the Neolithic era. A male nickname for Finbarr in Ireland, as well as a stand-alone name, Barra was used by George R.R. Martin as a girl’s name. It means ‘fair-haired’.

Feline nickname for Tabitha — a bewitching vintage choice.

Like Mitzi, the bubbly Fritzi shows signs of rising again. Has a bit of a comic-strip feel.

Virginia is a hundred years past its peak of the 1920s, but according to Nameberry's own Hundred Year Rule, that means it's due for a comeback. Indeed, Virginia's long downward slide leveled off and reversed over the past 15 years, which means we'll be hearing more little girls called Virgie -- not the easiest nickname to bear, but still a cute old-fashioned choice.

An English diminutive of Isabel or Elizabeth that works best with a longer form on the birth certificate.

Lex is still used mostly for boys, but like Alex, may cross over with the rising popularity of all long forms of the name. Lexi is another, more feminine option.

Kizzy remains the most popular spelling of the Keziah short form, at least in some part thanks to its appearance in the 1977 television show Roots.

Wheezy short form of lovely name, featured in the movie "Steel Magnolias." Go for Lou or Lulu instead.

Uncommon choice too reminiscent of "bidet". Try Bridie instead.

Dosia is rare but not foreign, especially since the antiquated name Theodosia was highlighted in the play Hamilton.

A Pam for the modern age, improved by a harder edge and a tad less prissiness.

Has a dotty, antic feel via dotty, antic Auntie Mame.

Cindy for the 21st century.

A modern version of the dated Betty. You might want to consider varying Elizabeth, too, to the Italian Elisabetta.