Crazy Nicknames for Boys

  1. Cager
    • Origin:

      Short form of Micajah, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "Who is like God?"
    • Description:

      Sounds a bit like a nickname in a Dickens novel, but this short form was used in New England a few centuries ago, back when names like Micajah were popular. Both short and long forms are now ripe for revival.
  2. Rollie
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Roland, German
    • Meaning:

      "famous throughout the land"
    • Description:

      As its parent name Roland comes back into style (yep, it’s happening), could there be an uptick in baby Rollies? Certainly as a pet form.
  3. Tolly
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Tolliver or Bartholomew
    • Description:

      Tolly is an antique short form that is not only jolly but makes Bartholomew usable in the modern world, when Bart is too Simpsonesque. For the adventurous nicknamer, Tolly might even be a novel short form of Oliver.
  4. Flip
    • Origin:

      Nickname for Philip, Phillip, or Felipe
    • Meaning:

      "lover of horses"
    • Description:

      Flip is a cute, attitude-filled nickname for the very proper Philip and variations. A perfect choice if you're looking for a buttoned-up proper name with an informal short form.
  5. Skip
    • Doc
      • Origin:

        English word name
      • Description:

        A boy with this name is certain to be bombarded with "What's up, doc?" every day of his life. Even Doctor would be preferable.
    • Treat
      • Origin:

        English word and nickname
      • Description:

        One of the magical words of childhood (and beyond), and associated with actor Treat (born Richard) Williams, whose nickname came from ancestor Robert Treat Williams, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
    • Simba
      • Origin:

        Swahili or Shona
      • Meaning:

        "lion; strength"
      • Description:

        Traditional African name made cartoonish by the Disney character in The Lion King. In Shona it means "strength".
    • Bing
      • Origin:

        German
      • Meaning:

        "kettle-shaped hollow"
      • Description:

        When Kate Hudson named her second son Bingham and announced that she would be calling him Bing, it put this zingy nickname name out on the table. Before that, there was only one, further nicknamed Der Bingle -- and he was really Harry Lillis Crosby.
    • Kitto
      • Origin:

        Cornish, diminutive of Christopher, Greek and Latin
      • Meaning:

        "bearer of Christ"
      • Description:

        Kitto updates Dad Name Christopher with a trendy o-ending short form. Use it as an honor name or an original nickname.
    • Jinx
      • Origin:

        English word name
      • Meaning:

        "attracting bad luck"
      • Description:

        Popular choice for black cats.
    • Bud
      • Origin:

        English nickname
      • Description:

        This is a name you get stuck with, not (we hope) one your parents choose for you.
    • Flash
      • Origin:

        Word and comic book name
      • Description:

        Flash Gordon makes this a superhero name, but Flash might just appeal to modern parents looking for one of the new active boys' names, ala Ace and Breaker and Ranger. We'd recommend something more pulled-together as a proper name with Flash as a nickname or middle name.
    • Lum
      • Origin:

        Diminutive of Columbus, English from Latin
      • Meaning:

        "dove"
      • Description:

        A forgotten nickname for Columbus, which itself is becoming ever rarer. Radio comedy program Lum and Abner, which ran for over two decades beginning in 1931, featured a character named Columbus "Lum" Edwards.
    • Alf
      • Origin:

        English
      • Meaning:

        "elf counsel"
      • Description:

        Short form of Alfred that had fallen out of favor, but could come back alongside Alfie and other clunky old-style nicknames like Gus and Ike.
    • Hap
      • Origin:

        English diminutive of Henry or Harold
      • Meaning:

        "estate ruler; army ruler"
      • Description:

        The old-school cool nickname Hap is a (mostly) bygone short form of classic H names for boys like Henry, Harold, and Harrison. Several notable Haps — including former New Jersey senator Hap Farley — were first nicknamed Happy, later shortened to Hap.
    • Mingo
      • Origin:

        Short form of Domingo
      • Description:

        Mingo is a cute nickname of the Spanish version of Dominic. It's not to be confused with Mungo, the name of the patron saint of Glasgow.
    • Bubba
      • Origin:

        American nickname
      • Description:

        The original southern Good Ol' Boy.
    • Toy
      • Jock
        • Origin:

          Scottish variation of Jack
        • Description:

          This is a Scottish pet form of John, the equivalent of Jack in England. Has long been used as a generic name for a Scotsman, here it's a generic name for a--well--jock.