Nickname Names

A distinctive Polish short form of Krystyna, ultimately deriving from Christian, Krysia has a similar feel to Sasha, but with a bit of kick from the K sounds.

Actor Rhames's imaginative shortening of the prosaic Irving, giving it new life and energy.

Tib was a unisex nickname in the 13th century, used as a short form of Theobald and Isabel. As Theobald waned in popularity, it became far more associated with girls, so much so that Tib was a term for young girls by the 16th century.

A bit too cunning.

Lu is an adorable mini-name that could be short for Luna, Lucinda, Luisa, or any other name beginning with the letters Lu. Or it can just stand on its own in first or middle place.

Musician Ry Cooder brought this short form into the lexicon -- his full name is Ryland -- and it feels more familiar now that more Ry- beginning names such as Ryder and Riley are, ahem, riding up the ranks. The Rye spelling makes it more of a word or a nature name and less of a nickname.

Once a cowboyish old man name, Clem is now more commonly heard as a nickname for the fashionable Clementine, meaning "merciful one". Clemency, Clemence and Clementia are other possible long forms.

Cute and unusual as a nickname, but lacking the legs to stand on its own.

An English diminutive of Isabel or Elizabeth that works best with a longer form on the birth certificate.

Very Brady Bunch.

Marge used to be as common as Maggie or Megan, ranking on its own in the girls' Top 1000 from 1900 until right after World War II, when so many Old School names fell off the list in favor of a new generation cuter, perkier choices.

Cutesy pet form of Clementine.

Feline nickname for Tabitha — a bewitching vintage choice.

Back in Patricia's midcentury heyday, Patty/Patti was the plebeian nickname while Tricia/Trisha and Tish/Trish carried a snobby-yet-insubstantial image associated with then First Daughter Tricia Nixon.

Replaced Patsy as the midcentury's popular, peppy babysitter.

This Victorian pen name is the childish version of the novelist's real name, Louisa, but it has managed to gain a sophisticated image. Ouisa is a similar childhood nickname name.