Nicknames for Boys.

After my article on nicknames for girls, its time to delve into the world of nicknames for boys. In my earlier post, I went over the main reasons why parents give their children names with nicknames, and I'll re-hash (In other words copy and paste ;) ) the categories I made up:

1. Having a cute pet name for the child .
2. Being able to give their child a very formal name, but having something more cute and young or childhood or casual occasions.
3. Being able to choose a long name.
4. Having a more unique nickname for a child with a common name, so they're not Charles B or Charles W but Arlo.
5. For when the child is a Junior or are named after someone who they'll have close contact with to avoid confusion.

I'll give my favorites, ideas and examples for each 'reason' for giving a nickname, below:

Reason one: Just having a nickname to call your kid by.
These are just what you're average every day parent uses, for example "Jack" for Jackson, "Matt" for Matthew or "Davey" for David.

Reason two: This is when you choose a more formal name, but want to choose a cuter more childish nickname for childhood and casual situations.

My favorites are:
Allan, "Al", "Lan"
Andrew, "Andy", "Drew"
Baxter, "Bax", "Baxie", "Ax", "Axter"
Benjamin, "Ben", "Benny", "Benji", "Enji", "Jam", "Jamie"
Bernard, "Bern", "Bernie", "Ernie", "Nard", "Nardo", "Ardo", "Ardie"
Charles/Charlton, "Charle", "Charlie", "Arlo, "Les"
Colin, "Co", "Cole", "Collie", "Olly"
Dominic, "Dom", "Nic", "Nico"
Edward/Edwin, "Eddie", "Ed", "Woody", "Win", "Winny"
Fletcher, "Fletch", "Letch", "Etch", "Etcher"
Francis, "Frank", "Frankie", "Rance"
Fredrick, "Fred", "Freddie", "Eddie", "Edrick", "Ed", "Drick", "Rick", "Ricky"
James, "Jame", "Jamie"
Jasper, "Jaz", "Perry"
Leon, "Lee", "Leo", "Lonny"
Lincoln, "Linc", "Cole", "Coln", "Collie"
Lloyd, "Loy", "Oydie"
Malcolm, "Mal", "Colm", "Cole", "Collie"
Matthew, "Matt", "Mattie", "Math", "Hugh"
Michael, "Mike, "Mikey", "Mick", "Kel"
Nicholas, "Nick", "Nicky", "Nico", "Cole"
Patrick, "Pat", "Patty", "Paddy", "Tricky", "Rick", "Ricky"
Quintin, "Quinn", "Tin", "Tin-Tin", "Tiny"
Richard, "Rich", "Richie", "Hardy", "Ardo", "Ardie"
Sebastian, "Seb", "Batty", "Bastian"
Theodore, "Theo", "Teddy", "Dore"
Travers, "Trav", "Travvy", "Rav", "Ravi",
Vincent, "Vin", "Vinnie", "Cent"
Wesley, "Wes", "Es", "Lee"
William, "Will", "Billy", "Liam"

Reason three: For parents who choose out a long name, but want something shorter as a nickname to make it easier.

My favorites:
Alexander, "Al", "Alex", "Lex", "Xander", "Ander", "Andy"
Finnegan, "Finn", "Finnie"
Garrison, "Gary", "Garris", "Sonny"
Harrison, "Harry", "Harris", "Sonny"
Leverett, "Levi", "Lev", "Rhett"
Rafferty, "Raff", "Raffi", "Tee"
Remington, "Remi", "Ming"

Reason four: For parents who choose out a popular name, or find out they've named their child a popular name, unique nicknames can be a good solution.

My favorites..
Aidan, "A", "Denny", "Ade"
Alexander, "Lex", "Ander", "Xan", "Xander"
Andrew, "Ando", "Roo", "Ad"
Anthony, "Ant", "Anto"
Benjamin, "Jamie", "Jam", "Enji", "Benno", "Jin"
Brandon, "Ando", "Bran", "Andon, "Don"
Christopher, "Topher", "Toph", "Tip", "Chip", "Kit", "Kiff", "Christer", "Ster", "Stoff"
Connor, "C", "Ona"
Daniel, "Neal", "Nils"
Elijah, "Lige", "Lijah", "Lee"
Ethan, "Eath", "E", "Han"
Isaac, "Iza", "I"
Jack, "Jik", "Jeek"
Jackson, "Sonny", "Jaz"
Jacob, "Jayko", "Cobe"
James, "Jame", "Jamie", "Jam", "Jaz"
Jayden, "Denny", "J-D"
Joseph, "Seph", "Joze"
Joshua, "Jozey", "Hugh"
Matthew, "Math", "Hugh", "Matto"
Michael, "Kel", "Kale", "Mick", "Mitch", "Miles", "Milo"
Nathan, "Tan", "Han"
Nicholas, "Cole", "Nico", "Naz"
Ryan, "Yin", "R"
Samuel, "Zam", "Sammo"
Tyler, "I", "Tyles", "Tel"
William, "Lee", "Wim"
Zachary, "Cary", "Z", "Car", "Caro"

Reason five: When naming after someone who will spend a lot of time with the boy, a different nickname helps everyone be a lot more clear.
See above reasons for ideas.

Got any other cute nicknames? Other reasons why someone in your life had a nickname, or you gave your baby one? Any funny nickname stories? Comment below!

Have a question for Annie-Kate? A suggestion for the blog? Want advice naming your child? Email me at anni.ekate@yahoo.com.au

Nicknames for Girls.

Many parents like names which have nicknames for their children. There are many good reasons for having nicknames, some are:
1. Having a cute pet name for the child .
2. Being able to give their child a very formal name, but having something more cute and young or childhood or casual occasions.
3. Being able to choose a long name.
4. Having a more unique nickname for a child with a common name, so they're not Jessica B or Jessica W but Essie.
5. For when the child is a Junior or are named after someone who they'll have close contact with to avoid confusion.
6. For girls, a name with a unisex nickname in case they're a tomboy.

See below for my favorites, some good ideas and examples.

Nickname reason one: General Reasons, to have a cute, pet name.
There are millions of these, examples: "Allie" for Allison, "Dani" for Danielle, "Jo" for Joanna.

Nickname reason two: To shorten and soften a formal name during childhood and in casual situations.

Some of my favorites:
Adelaide, "Addie", "Delle", "Deli", "Della", "Lady"
Amelia, "Mimi", "Meeley", "Mia", "Lia", "Millie"
Arabella, "Abby", "Ari", "Belle", "Bella"
Beatrice, "Bea", "Triss", "Trissie", "Trissa"
Carlotta, "Carly", "Carla", "Carlo", "Arlo", "Lottie"
Cecelia, "CC", "Seal", "Sealey", "Lia"
Corinne, "Corey", "Cora", "Rin"
Diana, "Di", "Dido", "Annie", "Ana"
Dominique, "Dom", "Minnie", "Nicki", "Neek"
Eleanor, "Elle", "Ellie, "Ella", "Nor", "Norah"
Elizabeth, "Ellie", "Elle", "Ella", "Eliza", "Lizzie" "Izzie", "Libby", "Beth", "Zeth"
Ellen, "Elle", "Ellie", "Ella", "Leni"
Frances, "Frannie", "Cessie"
Georgiana, "Georgie", "GG", "Gia", "Giana", "Giarn"
Gwyneth, "Gwyn", "Wyn", Gwynnie", "Wynnie", "Netty"
Harriet, "Harry", "Ria", "Rietta"
Hazel, "Hay", "Haze", "Zelle", "Zella"
Jane, "Jay", "Janie", "JJ", "Ane"
Lenore, "Leni", "Nore", "Norah"
Lillian, "Lil", "Lilly"
Maude, "Maurie", "Aude", "Audie"
Miranda, "Mirrie", "Anda", "Andy"
Nicolette, "Nic", "Nicky", "Cole", "Lettie", "Etta"
Rachel, "Rae", "Rach", "Chel" or "Chels" (like the starting sound in Chelsea)
Rosalie, "Ro", "Rose", "Rosie", "Rosa", "Zali"
Rowan, "Ro", "Rowie", "Rory"
Sophia, "So", "Soph", "Phia", "Fifi"
Theodora, "Thea", "Tia", "Teddy", "Dora"
Victoria, "Vee", "Vic", "Vicky", "Tori", "Ria", "Via", "Vita", "Vito"

Nickname reason three: For parents who love long names, but don't find it practical to use such a long name in every day life.
Some of my favorites:

Alexandra, "Al", "Alex", "Allie", "Lex", "Lexie", "Lexa", "Xandra", "Andra", "Andy"
Angelina, "Ange", "Angie", "Annie", "Gel", "Gelly", "Angel", "Lina"
Ariana, "Ari", "Riarn", "Ria", "Riana".
Eleanora, "Elle", "Ellie", "Ella", "Nora"
Elliana, "Elle", "Ellie", "Ella", "Liana", "Lia"
Felicity, "Flick", "Lissie", "Lissa"
Indiana, "Indi", "Dee", "Deanne", "Deanna", "Annie", "Ana"
Isabella, "Izzy", "Bella", "Belle"
Isadora, "Izzy", "Dora"
Liliana, "Lil", "Lilly", "Liana", "Leanne", "Ana", "Annie"
Mirabella, "Mira", "Bella", "Belle"
Olivia, "Olly", "Liv", "Livvy", "Livia", "Via", "Vee"
Tatiana, "Tia", "Tiarne", "Tiana"

Nickname reason four: A unique nickname for a common name.
Some recent popular names with unique nickname alternatives:

Abigail, "Gail", "Aila", "Ailey", "Aggie"
Alexandra, "Alexi", "Xandra", "Andra", "Andy
Alison, "Alice", "Lis", "Lissie", "Sunny", "Lissa"
Alyssa, "Lys", "Lyssie", "Al"
Ariana, "Ari", "Ria", "Ri", "Riarn", "Rina", "Arna"
Ashley, "Asha", "Sharlee", "Shel"
Ava, "Aven", "Avey", "Ave"
Brianna, "Bree", "Ri", "Ranna"
Chloe, "Lola", "Lo", "Loey", "O"
Elizabeth, "Zeth", "Lizza", "Eth", "Bette", "Eli", "Leeza"
Ella, "El", "Els"
Emily, "Millie", "Miller", "Elle", "Ellie"
Emma, "Emmy", "Mae", "Emmy-(middle name). E.g Emmylou for Emma Louise.
Caitlyn, "Aita", "Aitie", "Lyndy", "Lynna"
Grace, "Gray", "Race", "Raysa"
Hailey, "Halo", "Ailey", "Haila", "Aila"
Hannah, "Nan", "Nana", "Hannie"
Isabella/Isabelle, "Sally", "Sab", "Sabby", "Elle", "Ellie"
Jasmine, "Az", "Azzie", "Minnie", "Minna"
Kayley/Kayla, "Ayla", "Ayley",
Lillian, "Leni'
Lilly, "Lilsy", "Ilsa"
Madeline, "Madda", "Addie", "Adda", "Delle", "Della", "Deli", "Linna"
Madison, "Madda", "Dizzy", "Sunny", "Addie", "Adda"
Maya, "Aya", "Eye"
Mia, "Mimi", "E", "Ia"
Mikayla, "Mikky", "Ayla", "Ayley", "Mimi"
Natalie, "Tali", "Attie",
Olivia, "Olly", "Ola" "Vee", "Via", "Libby", "Lia"
Sarah, "Sairy", "Aira", "Sally", "Sadie"
Sophia, "Fifi", "Fia", "Fi", "Opie"
Taylor, "Aylor", "Lori", "Tayli"
Victoria, "Ori", "Ria", "Vita", "Vito", "Via"
Zoe, "O", "Zozo", "Z"

Nickname reason five: To avoid confusion when children are named after others (see reason one and four for ideas)

Nickname reason six: For a unisex nickname for a girl who may be a tomboy.
Some of my favorites are:

Alaina, Alessandra, Alexa, Alexandra, Alexis, Alice, Alison, Allegra, Alyssa= which can all be shortened to "Al"
Alessandra, Cassandra= Sandy
Alexa, Alexandra, Alexis, Alexandria, Alexia= Lex, Alex, Xander, Alexi
Alexandra, Andrea, Cassandra, Miranda= Andy
Alison, Emerson, Madison= Sonny
Ashley, Ashlyn= Ash
Calista= Cal
Camille= Cam, Miller
Carlotta, Carly, Scarlett= Carl
Cassandra= Casey
Charlize, Charlotte= Charlie
Christa= Chris
Claudia= Claude
Constance, Corinne= Connie, Con
Cora, Corinne= Corey
Dominique= Dom
Elizabeth, Elliana= Eli
Elizabeth= Zeth
Ellen, Eleanora, Elena, Eleni, Lenore, Helena= Lenny
Evelyn= Ev
Frances= Frankie
Georgiana= George
Grace= Gray
Hallie, Harmony, Harriet, Hazel, Helena= Hal
Harriet= Harry
Hilary= Larry
Jayda, Jane= Jay
Jazlyn= Az
Jessica= Jesse
Joanna, Joanne= Joe, Joey
Leanne, Ainsley, Amelia, Angelina, Angeline, Angelique, Annaliese, Ashley, Beverly (ETC, this list gets long, just ones that end in Lee or have a Lee sound in them) = Lee
Leona= Leo, Lee
Louisa, Lucia, Lucille, Lucinda, Louella= Lou, Louie
Mallory= Mal
Martina= Marty
Matilda= Matt, Matty
Maude= Maurie
Mikayla= Micky
Natasha, Natalie= Nat, Nate
Nicolette= Nic, Nicky, Cole
Olive, Olivette, Olivia, Holly, Molly= Olly
Prudence= Denny
Rachel/ Raine= Ray
Sandra= Sandy
Skye/ Skyler= Kye
Tatiana= Tate
Theodora= Theo, Theodore
Vanessa= Van
Veronique= Ron, Ronny
Victoria= Victor
Willow= Will

Another way of getting unisex nicknames is to use initials. For example, Alice Jane is a very feminine name, but can be shortened to "AJ", if they turn out to be a tomboy. Similarly, the starting letter of a name can be another option, "E" for Elizabeth, or "Z" for Zara are a lot more unisex sounding.

Got any other cute nicknames? Other reasons why someone in your life had a nickname, or you gave your baby one? Any funny nickname stories? Comment below!

Have a question for Annie-Kate? A suggestion for the blog? Want advice naming your child? Email me at anni.ekate@yahoo.com.au

Naming after countries.

After an interesting naming of her son by Jaci Velisquez

http://babynamerant.blogspot.com/2007/11/thumbs-down-jaci-velasquez.html

It may be interesting to look at the common trend of naming your child after a country or place.

Names of big or well known countries can be plain weird.

Names such as:
Asia
http://www.presstelegram.com/portlet/article/html/imageDisplay.jsp?contentItemRelationshipId=1464890

Ireland
http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2007-04-19-baldwin-voicemail_N.htm

Kenya
http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1808404374/photo/premiere/576883

Can be a bit strange because of the connotations with them. Furthermore, Asia has some of the worst human rights abuses, while Kenya is a third world country where people are starving to death. Why would you want your childs name associated with those things? Its also pretty funny to see a privileged white girl named after a country with black starving people. Kind of a bit ignorant, really.

Things like the location of the place also need to be taken into place. A name such as Maysan might sound really sweet for your little girl, but when its a place in Iraq then thats a bit of a problem.

Some names are worse than others. Think about whether the name you are choosing could have a cute nickname your child could opt for if they don't particularly like being named after a country.
Names such as Alaska, Kileen or Madrid sound a little bad, but could at least by shortened to Allie, Lena or Maddie when the child grows up. Names such as Naivasha or Zamora don't give a lot of leeway for your child to derive a more "normal" nickname if they so choose.

Steer away from names with "Land" in it, it kind of makes it obvious your naming the child after a place which makes it tacky. Watch out for names which are increasingly becoming common, and maybe choose a place with significant meaning such as a place where your ancestors came from.

Lastly, never EVER mis-spell it. That takes away the whole point of naming them after a place.
Case in point:
Chyna for China
http://www.celebritybabies.info/index.php/category/faith-evans/

Dakotah for Dakota
http://gracerbc.sermonaudio.com/gallery_details.asp?image=dt-122705185146-6.jpg

Jeneva for Geneva
http://www.vivmag.com/moments/4835371.html?page=1&pageSize=12

For a list of some NICE country names you could try (and makes sure you do your research on the place and make sure you like it!) :
Girls..
Acadia, an old territory in North America.
Adalia, a Turkish city.
Adana, a place in Turkey.
Adelaide, a city in Australia.
Ailsa, a island off Scotland.
Amara, a town in Romania.
Aspen, a mountain in Colorado.
Aurora, a historical district in Italy.
Avalon, a mythical place in the tales of King Arthur.
Avila, a city in Spain.
Berwyn, a place in Wales.
Bethany, a village near Jerusalem.
Berlin, the capital of Germany.
Brenta, a place in Italy.
Brienne, a medieval county in France.
Brittany, a former province of France.
Brooklyn, a place in America.
Cambria, the latinised form of the Welsh name for Wales.
Caria, a parish in Portugal.
Caledonia, the Latin name given by the Roman Empire to the island of Great Britain.
Catania, a place in Italy.
Cheyenne, a Native America nation.
Dakota, a place in America.
Dallas, a place in America.
Denali, a mountain in Alaska.
Devon, a county in South West England.
Ellora, a site in India.
Geneva, a city in Switzerland.
Georgia, a country, and a state in America.
Germaine, meaning "German" in Old French.
Ilia, a province in Greece.
Indiana, a place in America.
Iona, a small island in Scotland.
Italia, meaning Italy.
Kara, a city in Togo.
Karelia, an area in Northern Europe.
Katmai, a mountain in Alaska.
Kayseri, a city in Turkey.
Kenner, a city in America.
Kileen, an Irish place.
Kirin, an older spelling of a city in China.
Lanai, a Hawaiian Island.
Leith, a district in Edinburgh.
Lena, a place in Norway.
Madrid, the capital of Spain.
Maine, a state in America
Martinique, an island in the Caribbean Sea.
Mayenne, a place is France.
Melrose, a town in Scotland.
Mercia, one of the kingdoms in Anglo-Saxon Heptarchy.
Miami, a place in America.
Milan, a city in Italy.
Montana, a place in America.
Moriah, a mountain range in the book of Genesis.
Nivelles, a city in Belgium.
Sicely, a place in Italy.
Sierra, a place in Peru.
Soria, a city in Spain.
Sydney, a city in Australia
Thessaly, a place in Greece.
Vienna, the capital of Austria.
Vienne, a place in France.
Winona, a place in America.

Boys..
Aldan, a place in Russia.
Altan, a place in Ireland.
Alton, a place in New Zealand.
Austin, a place in America.
Aydin, a place in Turkey.
Brenner, a place in Italy.
Camden, a place in England.
Carlisle, a city in England. (car-lyle)
Cairo, a city in Egypt.
Calgary, a city in Canada.
Cambrai, a French town.
Carrick, a place in Scotland.
Finley, a place in America.
Hudson, a place in Canada.
Ilion, a place in Greece.
Kenner, a city in America.
Kodiak, a city in Alaska.
Leith, a district in Edinburgh.
Leyton, an area in East London.
Sydney, a city in Australia.
Tasman, a place in New Zealand.
Trenton, a place in Canada.
Troy, a legendary city.

Got any suggestions for Annie-Kate? Comments on or requests for the blog? Want some advice naming your child? Email me at anni.ekate@yahoo.com.au