Vintage Nicknames for Girls
- France
Origin:
Place-nameDescription:
This geographic name has lots of Gallic elan. France Nuyen is a French-Vietnamese actress who starred in the Broadway hit The World of Suzie Wong.
- Dosia
- Mago
Origin:
Diminutive of Margaret, GreekMeaning:
"pearl"Description:
So many short forms of Margaret, from Peggy all the way through Maggie and Megan, are outdated now that Mago has value simply by being undiscovered. But still, not very appealing.
- Tib
Origin:
English diminutive of IsabelMeaning:
"pledged to God"Description:
Tib and Tibb originated in the 13th century as nicknames for Theobald (for boys) and Isabel and Isabella (for girls). As Isabel grew in popularity, Tib(b) was used more often on girls. By the 16th century, Tib was a term for a young girl, much like Tom was for young boys.
- Cam
Origin:
Diminutive of Cameron or CamillaDescription:
A Pam for the modern age, improved by a harder edge and a tad less prissiness.
- Tibbie
Origin:
Diminutive of ElizabethMeaning:
"pledged to God"Description:
An old-fashioned nickname that hasn't been heard in ages--Cute and unusual, but lacking the legs to stand on its own. Maybe save it for your kitten.
- Biddie
Origin:
Diminutive of Bridget, IrishMeaning:
"strength, exalted one"Description:
Vintage short form of Bridget, very rarely still heard in Irish Catholic communities.
- Fronie
Origin:
Diminutive of Sophronia, GreekMeaning:
"sensible, prudent"Description:
These days Sophie would be the most likely nickname for Sophronia, but back in Colonial times, Fronie was a common diminutive.
- Bidu
Origin:
Diminutive of BridgetMeaning:
"strength, power"Description:
Uncommon choice too reminiscent of "bidet". Try Bridie instead.
- Retta
- Cleda
- Liddie
- Doro
Origin:
Diminutive of DorothyMeaning:
"gift of God"Description:
Some parents might like this energetic diminutive for Dorothy used in the Bush family, though the traditional Dottie and Dot seem to be coming back.
- Moll
Origin:
Short form of Molly, diminutive of Mary, Hebrew or Egyptian"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"Meaning:
"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"Description:
Moll is one of those names that is used all the time as a nickname for a nickname, but rarely put on the birth certificate. Moll Flanders is an eponymous 18th century novel by Daniel Defoe, the author of Robinson Crusoe,
- Viney
Origin:
Diminutive of Lavinia and Melvina, Latin, CelticMeaning:
"from Lavinium; chieftan"Description:
Viney (and Viny) is an antiquated nickname for names with the "vin" component, such as Lavinia and Melvina.
- Nelie
- Debs
Origin:
Diminutive of DeborahMeaning:
"bee"Description:
Debbie is decidedly out, the original Deborah lovely, and other short forms -- Deb, Debs -- for occasional use only.
- Hitty
Origin:
Diminutive of Mehitabel, HebrewMeaning:
"God rejoices"Description:
An old-school nickname for a rare biblical gem. Hetty is a more favorable option.
- Beah
Origin:
Short form of BeatriceMeaning:
"she who brings happiness"Description:
A rarely seen member of the Beatrice clan, with its own distinctive charm.
- Charty
Origin:
Diminutive of CharlotteMeaning:
"little and womanly"Description:
A Charlotte nickname heard much more often in Britain than here--American parents might prefer Charlie or Lottie.