Nickname Names

  1. Toni
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Antoni, Polish
    • Meaning:

      "priceless one"
    • Description:

      Seen across Europe as both an independent name and a short form of names such as Antoni and Anton. In the US, however, this is considered to be the feminine spelling.
  2. Margie
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Margery
    • Description:

      Prime pert-teenager name in midcentury TV shows, replaced by Maggie.
  3. Maxi
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "greatest"
    • Description:

      Diminutive of Maxine, Maxima or Maximiliane
  4. Val
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Valentina, Valerie, etc
    • Description:

      Occasionally used as an independent name, but why.
  5. Oli
    • Origin:

      Latin, English
    • Meaning:

      "olive tree"
    • Description:

      Short form of Oliver or Olivier.
  6. Rod
    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Roderick and Rodney
    • Description:

      Macho-er than thou.
  7. Denny
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Dennis
    • Description:

      Fast-food chain, no longer a baby.
  8. Cleve
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Cleveland
    • Description:

      Appealing short form of the stuffy Cleveland, occasionally used on its own.
  9. Lally
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of any La- name
    • Description:

      A likable nickname-name in the Callie, Hallie mode.
  10. Gabby
    • Mo
      • Origin:

        Diminutive of Maureen, Irish variation of Mary, Hebrew
      • Meaning:

        "bitter"
      • Description:

        Has followed mother name Maureen off the radar screen.
    • Lonzo
      • Origin:

        Diminutive of Alonzo
      • Meaning:

        "noble, ready"
      • Description:

        Adds some dash and substance to Lon.
    • Watts
      • Origin:

        English surname
      • Meaning:

        "son of Watt, son of Walter"
      • Description:

        Watts is a patronymic surname derived from Watt, a popular Middle English nickname for Walter. Today, Watts makes a contemporary and stylish way to honor a Walter in your life.
    • Yovi
      • Origin:

        Diminutive of Yoav, Hebrew
      • Meaning:

        "praise Jehovah"
      • Description:

        Cute nickname with multicultural appeal — in addition to Yoav, Yovi could be short for names such as Yovan and Yovani.
    • Spence
      • Origin:

        Short form of Spencer
      • Description:

        Spence is occasionally used as a name all on its own and it has more of a sense of completeness than many nickname-names.
    • Ninon
      • Origin:

        French
      • Meaning:

        "grace"
      • Description:

        Sweet and charming French nickname for Anne, à la Manon for Marie.
    • Chaz
      • Origin:

        Diminutive of Charles
      • Description:

        The jazziest nickname for Charles.
    • Etty
      • Origin:

        French diminutive
      • Meaning:

        "little"
      • Description:

        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.
    • Donnie
      • Origin:

        Short form of Donald, Scottish
      • Meaning:

        "proud chief"
      • Description:

        Infantilizing short form best reserved for toddlers and younger.
    • Thom
      • Origin:

        Aramaic
      • Meaning:

        "twin"
      • Description:

        Pronounced like Tom, but not everyone will know that.