Names by Nickname

Thanks to the surprise hit revival of Etta James' song At Last and because of recent interest in vintage style nicknames, Etta has established herself as a possible successor to Emma and Ella. Back in the US Top 1000 as of 2023 and rising rapidly up the UK charts, where it sits in the Top 200, Etta is a snappy, smart and sparky choice.

Ettie or Etty works as a nickname for any name with a prominent "et" sound, usually at the end: think Henrietta, Juliette or Colette. The -ette ending is a French diminutive suffix.

Eubie is an uncommon masculine name primarily known through its association with pioneering jazz pianist Eubie Blake (1887-1983), whose birth name was James Hubert Blake. The name originated as a nickname derived from 'Hubert,' showcasing how diminutives can evolve into independent given names. With its melodic sound and musical connection, Eubie carries an artistic, creative energy and distinctly American jazz-age charm. The name remains extremely rare as a formal given name, making it a highly distinctive choice. Its uniqueness provides instant individuality, though it may require occasional explanation. For parents seeking a name with musical heritage and an upbeat, rhythmic quality, Eubie offers a rare gem that honors African-American cultural contributions while maintaining an approachable, friendly character.

Eva is a simple, classic Hebrew name for girls that recently slipped out of the US Top 100 for the first time in more than a decade. Pronounced either like her more popular sister Ava or less popular sister Eve, Eva is one of the elite group of girl names that mean life.

Evie was derived from Eve, which in turn comes from Chawwah, a Hebrew name related to the concept of life. Evie can be used as a nickname for any name that starts with Ev-, including Eva, Evelyn, and Evangeline, but also for names such as Genevieve and Maeve. Evie is typically pronounced with a long E sound, but a short E is also valid.

In the 21st century, Exa is best known as the given name of Grimes and Elon Musk's daughter Y, a sibling for X Æ A-XII. The celebrity parents were inspired by the supercomputer terms exaFLOPS, which is the "ability for a supercomputer to perform 1 quintillion floating-point operations per second."

Exie is a vintage feminine name that enjoyed modest popularity in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Often used as a nickname for names beginning with 'Ex-' or as a diminutive for Elizabeth or Exilda, it has a quaint, old-fashioned charm. The name nearly disappeared from usage by the mid-20th century, making it extremely rare today. Its brevity and distinctive sound give it potential appeal to modern parents seeking truly uncommon vintage names. Exie has Southern American associations, as it appeared more frequently in Southern states during its peak usage. The name's simplicity and unique 'x' sound offer a combination of antique appeal and contemporary phonetic interest.

As this word is less often used to mean derriere, it becomes more possible to view Fanny as the kind of appealingly quaint nickname name, like Josie and Nellie, that many parents are favoring now.

Fanya might make an international and unusual short form for the classic Frances, or could stand as a full name on its own. Definitely classier than Tanya but with the same Eastern European flavor.

Fara is a feminine name with multiple potential origins, giving it a rich cross-cultural significance. In Arabic, Fara can mean "joy" or "happiness," while in Persian it may relate to "glory" or "splendor." Some sources also connect it to the Latin word for "traveler." The name appears in various cultures including Middle Eastern, North African, and European traditions, though with different etymological roots. Fara offers a simple yet melodious sound with its two open syllables and flowing vowels. While never extremely common in the United States, the name has seen intermittent usage throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. Its brevity, pleasant sound, and positive meanings make it an attractive choice for parents seeking a simple yet distinctive name with international appeal.

Briefly in the US Top 1000 in the late 19th century, Fate likely emerged as a short form for the old French name, Lafayette. In the contemporary landscape however, it may well be perceived as a word name among English speakers, akin to Destiny, Chance, Blessing, and Chosen. Around six boys are given the name Fate each year in the US, though 2023 saw it rise a little, with ten babies receiving the name.

Soft and simple, but no less magical, Faye is enjoying a quiet spell of popularity in the US. It broke the Top 1000 in 2014, and by 2023, was one of the fastest rising names on the charts. Faye is a perfect example of a name that fits in and stands out, recognizable and yet unexpected. It also makes a beautiful middle name option, if Mae and Rae are feeling too overdone.

Fed is a concise masculine name that typically serves as a nickname for names like Frederick, Federico, or Ferdinand. Of Germanic origin, it represents a shortened form conveying familiarity and simplicity. While not commonly used as a standalone given name in English-speaking countries, it appears occasionally in Eastern European communities. Fed carries connotations of reliability and straightforwardness. The name's brevity gives it a modern, unpretentious quality that aligns with contemporary naming trends favoring shorter forms. Though relatively uncommon in official records, it functions effectively as a casual alternative to longer traditional names.

Fedde, a Top 100 boys' name in The Netherlands, is a Frisian short form for names beginning with Frid, which means "peace." As with many names popular in contemporary Holland, this short form stands on its own.

Femke is a diminutive version of the Dutch or Frisian name Fem, which in turn is a feminine form of the masculine name Femme (still with us?), which is a diminutive of several Old German names names containing the syllable "frid" which means peace.