​
​
Advanced Search

Lojban Cunrafsi Names

SorklaMenli
By SorklaMenli
Updated Fri Mar 17 2023
Short and sweet 3-letter names that just happen to be rafsi. Rafsi are combining forms of words that can be strung together to make compounds, and can be used as nicknames (or as names in their own right) in the Lojban-speaking community.
  1. Baz

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Sebastian or Basil; Kurdish

    • Meaning:

      "regal; falcon"

    • Description:

      As Bas, it's a popular name in The Netherlands, but Baz, as in director Luhrmann, has potential for independent life too.

      Curiously, Australian-born Moulin Rouge director Luhrmann was born neither Sebastian nor Basil, but had the name Mark Anthony on his birth certificate; his nickname arose from his supposed resemblance to a British TV fox puppet named Basil Brush.

  2. Ben

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "son of"

    • Description:

      Ben, the diminutive of Benjamin or Benedict, can easily stand on its own as a simple, strong, nice-guy choice, though it's somewhat attenuated. Ben is this generation's Bob or Bill.
  3. Bev

    • Description:

      Bev is primarily a feminine name that originated as a short form of Beverly, which was initially an English surname derived from a place name meaning 'beaver stream.' This concise, single-syllable name carries a friendly, approachable quality that became particularly popular in the mid-20th century. Bev gained independent usage during the 1950s and 1960s when nickname forms were often given as formal names. While its popularity has declined since its peak, Bev retains a vintage charm and unpretentious warmth. It exemplifies the mid-century trend of short, efficient names and continues to be appreciated for its simplicity and nostalgic appeal.
  4. Bix

    • Origin:

      Modern nickname

    • Description:

      Bix is a cool and jazzy nickname name, thanks to that final x. It's largely associated with the legendary and influential cornet player (and inspiration for the novel Young Man With a Horn), Bix Beiderbecke. He was born Leon Bismark Beiderbecke and his nickname derived from his middle name.
  5. Cal

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of names including Cal

    • Meaning:

      "dog; the whole of; dove; bald; war-strife; beautiful"

    • Description:

      Cal is a nickname style name that feels as friendly and calm as it does cool and breezy. While its longer forms have proved more popular over the years, Cal as a stand alone has dropped on and off of the US Top 1000 since the 1880s.
  6. Cam

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Cameron, Scottish

    • Meaning:

      "crooked nose"

    • Description:

      Cameron is still more popular as a boy's name than a girls and this simple, snappy short form works well for either sex.
  7. Cat

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Catherine

    • Meaning:

      "pure"

    • Description:

      May be the most modern, stylish Catherine nickname: more unusual than Kate or Cate, with an animal and word name edge. Cat Power is a trendy folksinger.
  8. Deb

    • Origin:

      Short form of Deborah, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "bee"

    • Description:

      During the heyday of Deborah, Debra, and Debra -- the late 1950s and early 60s -- there were enough baby girls named Deb, just Deb, for it to make the Top 1000.
  9. Dag
    • Flo

      • Origin:

        Diminutive of Florence, Latin

      • Meaning:

        "flourishing, prosperous"

      • Description:

        Flo is an antiquated nickname not often used these days, possibly because "Aunt Flo" is a euphemism for a period.
    • Gus

      • Origin:

        Diminutive of Augustus, Angus, Gustave, Augustin, Augusten, Augustine, August

      • Description:

        Gus is a homey grandpa nickname name that can work as a short form for any of the above or stand on its own as a cutting-edge replacement for Max and Jake--though it was off the Top 1000 from 1978 until 2016, when it squeaked in at Number 999.
    • Jem

      • Origin:

        Diminutive of Jemma or Jemima

      • Meaning:

        "gem; dove"

      • Description:

        There was an eighties cartoon queen named Jem (& The Holograms), and this is as likely to be a full name as a short form – deriving from Jemma, Jemima or Jameela.
    • Jen

      • Description:

        Jen is a short, crisp feminine name that originated primarily as a diminutive of Jennifer, though it can also be a nickname for names like Jenna, Jenny, or Genevieve. The root name Jennifer comes from the Welsh 'Gwenhwyfar,' meaning 'white wave' or 'fair spirit.' Jen gained independent usage during the 1970s and 1980s when Jennifer was at peak popularity, with some parents choosing to put just 'Jen' on the birth certificate. Its simplicity and directness appeal to those preferring unpretentious, straightforward names. While Jen's popularity as a stand-alone name has declined since the 1990s, it maintains appeal for its brevity and friendly, approachable quality. The name carries a casual confidence and remains recognizable without being overly common as a formal name.
    • Jet

      • Origin:

        Mineral and word name

      • Description:

        This super-charged variation of Jett is on the rise -- along with the unlikely newcomer Jetson.
    • Jim

      • Origin:

        English, diminutive of James

      • Meaning:

        "supplanter"

      • Description:

        Peaked in the 1940s, but still an amiable classic, a la Joe and Tom -- though rarely used on its own.
    • Jin

      • Description:

        Jin is a masculine name with multicultural origins, most prominently associated with East Asian heritage. In Korean, Jin (진) means 'truth' or 'gold' depending on the Chinese character used. In Chinese, Jin (金) typically means 'gold' or 'metal,' symbolizing brightness and prosperity. In Japanese, the name can represent 'benevolence' or 'virtue.' This short, powerful name has gained international recognition while maintaining its cultural significance. Jin's simplicity makes it easy to pronounce across languages, adding to its appeal for multicultural families. While traditionally masculine in East Asian cultures, it occasionally appears as a unisex name in Western contexts. The name has seen increased global visibility through notable bearers, including members of K-pop groups and fictional characters in popular media.

    • Jon

      • Origin:

        Variation of John or Jonathan

      • Meaning:

        "God is gracious; or gift of Jehovah"

      • Description:

        Streamlined version of the classic boys' names, sometimes a short form of Jonathan, which is in fact an entirely different name from John attached to a different Biblical personage. Jon feels more modern than the traditional John, but some may find it an overly slight variation on an already slim name. Jon Snow is a popular character on HBO's Game of Thrones.
    • Jun

      • Origin:

        Chinese, Korean

      • Meaning:

        "ruler, talented, handsome"

      • Description:

        A simple and charismatic Chinese and Korean name, also spelled Joon.
    • Jad
      • Kai

        • Origin:

          Hawaiian, Frisian, Chinese

        • Meaning:

          "sea; warrior; triumph"

        • Description:

          Kai is an internationally flexible name with many possible origins and meanings, growing in popularity in the US and a diverse range of European countries.

      Want to keep track of your favorite names?

      Create an account and you can create lists, keep track of favorites, and even be alerted when there is new content posted about a name.