April 7, 2015

Baby names with the cutest nicknames

Searching for a name that will get your little genius a kick-arse job in the future but has a super-cute short form for the baby years? Sabrina Rogers-Anderson has done your homework for you.

So many parents tell me they want to give their child a “strong” name so they’re taken seriously when they grow up, but some can sound a bit stuffy for a baby. Thankfully, we’re no strangers to a good nickname here in ‘Straya, so I’ve rounded up some of the best “respectable” names with cute nicknames that can be used while they’re still wee poppets.

Best girl names with cute nicknames

1. Alexandra

Nickname: Lexie

Alexandra is a stately name that never truly goes out of style. From Alex to Xandra, there are plenty of nicknames to choose from, but adorable Lexie is sure to suit a rosy-cheeked bub.

2. Beatrix

Nickname: Trixie

With the vintage name trend still in full swing, Beatrix could make a comeback any day now. If you find it a bit serious for your newborn, though, Trixie is just the right amount of fun and sprightliness.

3. Evelyn

Nickname: Eve

For parents who want a classic name that will stand the test of time as well as a nickname that isn’t too sickly-sweet, the Evelyn/Eve combo is a perfect choice.

4. Felicity

Nickname: Fliss

A Latin name meaning ‘good fortune’, Felicity dances off the tongue in its full form. And while the more common nickname Flick is also likeable, perhaps it’s the fact that Fliss rhymes with bliss that makes it even more appealing.

5. Imogen

Nickname: Idgie

In Fried Green Tomatoes, Mary Stuart Masterson’s character Imogene (slight spelling difference) was known as Idgie. Strong female name? Tick. Lovely childhood nickname? Double tick.

6. Isabella

Nickname: Bella

This beautiful sobriquet was the 16th most popular girls’ name in 2014. She’s sure to be taken seriously when she hits the job market, but until then she can be known by the super-cute nickname Bella.

7. Katherine

Nickname: Kat

The classic Katherine comes with a host of short forms, but my favourite is without a doubt the sweet and simple Kat.

8. Lilian

Nickname: Lily

Lily was a popular name in its own right last year, coming in at number 10. But if you’d like her to stand out from the pack with a more serious moniker, why not ink Lilian on her birth certificate?

9. Madeleine

Nickname: Maddie

A strong female name that could just as easily suit a CEO or a ballerina, Madeleine can be known as Maddie until she’s old enough to decide what she wants to be called, thankyouverymuch.

10. Matilda

Nickname: Tilly

This Aussie favourite will honour your daughter’s culture and comes with a built-in nickname that’s too cute for words.

Best boy names with cute nicknames

1. Alfred

Nickname: Alfie

How charming is Alfie? The only issue is that most modern parents might not like the sound of Alfred as a full name. Heck, you could even whack it as a middle name just to have an excuse to call the boy Alfie.

2. Angus

Nickname: Gus

Scottish in origin, Angus is more popular in Australia than in other English-speaking countries. With a nickname like Gus, who can resist?

3. Benjamin

Nickname: Benji

Forget dull old Ben when there’s fun and playful Benji as a short form for this ever-popular biblical appellation. Don’t listen to detractors who claim it’s a dog’s name – think Benji Madden.

4. Edward

Nickname: Eddie

Edward? Slightly stuffy and even a little dusty, but looks good on a birth certificate and a job application. Eddie? Pinch-his-cheeks, bounce-him-on-your-knee, scrumptious baby boy. Squee!

5. Michael

Nickname: Mick

Michael isn’t exactly doing the rounds in the playground these days, but it’s a great choice if you’re after a classic name that isn’t overdone. And when it comes to a to-die-for nickname, Mick blows Mike out of the water.

6. Nicolas

Nickname: Nico

A Greek name meaning ‘people of victory’, Nicolas sounds serious enough to be a brain surgeon. And yet the much-cuter-than-Nick diminutive Nico will have all the mums in your mothers’ group cooing with jealousy.

7. Oliver

Nickname: Ollie

With such an endearing association as Oliver Twist and what is possibly the most delectable nickname on this list, you can’t go wrong – so long as you don’t mind your wee one sharing his name with eight other boys in his class (it was the number one name last year!).

8. Theodore

Nickname: Theo

Theodore might sound a bit old-school to some, but I like to think of it as grandpa-chic. And Theo just brings to mind a squishy-cheeked little cutie in a sailor onesie and matching hat. Nawwww.

9. Tobias

Nickname: Toby

Much more solemn than the current spate of neo-classic names such as Noah and Jackson, Tobias is a moniker that isn’t likely to make it much further than official documents. But with a fab short form like Toby, who cares?

10. Vincent

Nickname: Vinnie

I love this one! Vincent has a lot of clout despite not being very trendy right now (which could be a good thing in the eyes of some parents!), and Vinnie just sounds like the adorable leader of the local scooter gang.

Have you named your child based on a cute nickname? Share it with us below!