Short Baby Names
- Tai
Origin:
ChineseMeaning:
"great extreme"Description:
Skater Tai Babilonia brought this sleek modern name to the world's attention. Pronounced "tie."
- Poe
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"peacock"Description:
Hip new middle-name choice, conjuring up the gothic tales of Edgar Allan, and current single-named pop singer Poe.
- Jad
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"serious"Description:
Simple and serious Arabic name which debuted in the US Top 1000 in 2016.
- Aja
Origin:
Spelling variation of Aya or HindiMeaning:
"goat"Description:
Sounds like and is often confused with Asia, though it has an air of retro cool via the seminal Steely Dan album. Or, pronounced eye-ah, it can be an alternate spelling of the international favorite Aya.
- Zak
Origin:
Diminutive of ZacharyMeaning:
"the Lord has remembered"Description:
This zippy short form of Zachary is more and more often standing on its own -- sometimes as Zac, Zach, Zack, or even Zakk -- but this simple-yet-straightforward version may be the very best.
- Vic
Origin:
Diminutive of Victor, LatinMeaning:
"conqueror"Description:
This short form of classic Victor is popular in its own right in Belgium and the Netherlands.
- Jen
- Tea
Origin:
Short form of Dorotea or MatteaMeaning:
"gift of God"Description:
As Theo and Thea get more popular, so do Teo and Tea, short forms of the Latinate variations of Theodore and Matthew -- which include Dorotea and Mattea. But like Theo and Thea, Tea can stand perfectly well on its own and blends seamlessly into any Anglophone or European culture, if that is your aim. Some may argue that the Tea version is the prettiest and it's certainly the sleekest.
- Anu
Origin:
Finnish and Estonian diminutive of Anna, Sanskrit diminutive of Anuradha, Yoruba, CelticMeaning:
"grace; causing success; mercy"Description:
A multicultural mini name with roots in three continents.
- Per
Origin:
Scandinavian variation of PeterDescription:
So simple, yet so unique: a prime candidate for export. Pronunciation is like the English pair or pear.
- Ed
Origin:
Diminutive of Edward et alMeaning:
"wealthy"Description:
The most minimalist of names, Ed is decidedly out -- though that usually means it's due to swing back in. More stylish these days: Ned or even Ted.
- Sim
Origin:
Scottish diminutive of SimonMeaning:
"the listener"Description:
The Biblical Simon has been rediscovered and this appealing short form, an alternative to Sam, might be a way to make your Simon even more special.
- Min
Origin:
ChineseMeaning:
"quick"Description:
Puts the -min in diminutive.
- Jas
Origin:
Abbreviation of James or short form of Jasper
- Ham
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"hot, warm"Description:
Along with Shem and Japheth, a son of Noah with a name that's almost never used -- for more obvious reasons than those of his brothers.
- Gal
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"wave"Description:
This unisex Israeli name, which rhymes with ball, is sure to receive more serious international attention now that actress Gal Gadot is the new Wonder Woman.
- Viv
- Rob
Origin:
English, diminutive of RobertMeaning:
"bright fame"Description:
Rob has claimed Bob's turf.
- Jan
Origin:
Feminine variation of JohnDescription:
Very Brady Bunch.
- Pat
Origin:
Diminutive of PatrickMeaning:
"noble, patrician"Description:
As seen on SNL, Pat is the ultimate androgynous name. Stick with long form Patrick, and make sure everyone calls him Patrick.