Nickname Names

Lissy may be this generation's answer to Missy. It's rare to see Lissy on a birth certificate, but if you pay attention, you may notice it as a nickname for names such as the classic Elizabeth or hot traditional choice Felicity.

See WILLIE.

Has diverse associations: the long-term Communist head of Yugoslavia, one of Michael Jackson's older brothers, and an animated Disney character -- none of them a very strong recommendation.

Nacio is attractive and energetic -- one of the most appealing Spanish nickname names. Songwriter Nacio (born Ignacio) Herb Brown wrote many American standards, including Singin' in the Rain.

Flip is a down-to-earth, attitude nickname for the very proper Philippa. If you want to downshift even further from Pippa, Flip may be your gender-neutral choice.

Hy was once a nickname for Hyman, a Jewish Anglicization of Chaim. Today it has gone extinct, for obvious reasons.

Mikie is a boyish nickname-name of a style that's becoming more popular, ala Billie, Frankie, Stevie, and Scottie. New Jersey Congresswoman and former Navy pilot Mikie Sherrill is a noted bearer.

Elzie was given to 16 baby girls in the US last year, almost certainly as a spelling variation of the increasingly popular sweet nickname Elsie, a diminutive of Elizabeth.

Similar to Amy and Romy, Omie is a sweet yet unexpected diminutive of Naomi. It might also work as a short form of Ramona or Salome, and as a feminine form of Omar.

In Mandaeism, Hag and Mag are a pair of demons typically mentioned together; Hag being male, and Mag being female.

Actress Leelee Sobieski's real name is Liliane, after her French grandmother -- a better choice for any baby-namer.