Nickname girl names are simply nicknames of established given names that have been popularized through the years. Some parents choose a first name for their baby girls simply for the nickname that the name provides. But, why go to all that trouble? You can skip the formality and cut to the chase with a nickname-name that’s exactly how you want it and what you would want your daughter called by others.
We love nickname girl names and we decided to round up a list of fun alternatives to established appellations. Some of these nicknames will be very familiar to you and you might have an affinity for them. Others on this list are slightly more obscure or get more use in the UK or Europe than they do in the US. Whatever you are looking for in your daughter’s name we hope you find it below! Happy name hunting!
Nickname Girl Names That Start with A
- Abby – A nickname for Abigail, from Hebrew, meaning “my father is joyful”
- Addie – A diminutive of Adelaide or Adeline, from German, meaning “noble”
- Andie – A short form of Andrea, from Greek, meaning “strong and manly”
- Anya – A Russian diminutive form of Anna, from Hebrew, meaning “grace”
Nickname Girl Names That Start with B
- Bea – A short form of Beatrice, meaning “she who brings happiness”
- Bee – Another diminutive form of Beatrice or Beatrix, also meaning “she who brings happiness”
- Belle – A short form of Isabelle, or French, meaning “beautiful” or pledged to God”
- Bess – One of the many diminutive forms of Elizabeth, from Hebrew, meaning “pledged to God”
More Nickname Girl Names That Start with B
- Betsy – Another form of Elizabeth, meaning “pledged to God”
- Billie – An English short form of Wilhelmina or Wilma, meaning “resolute protector”
- Birdie – A vintage nickname or an English and Swedish name that means “bird”
- Bonnie – A name of Scottish origin, meaning “beautiful” and “cheerful”
Nickname Girl Names That Start with C
- Caro – A diminutive of Carol or Caroline, of English and French origin, meaning “free man”
- Cass – A short form of Cassandra or Cassia, from Greek, meaning “shining” or “excelling man”
- Cleo – A form of Cleopatra, a name of Greek origin, meaning “glory”
- Coco – A storied Spanish and French nickname
Nickname Girl Names That Start with D
- Dolly – An English diminutive form of Dorothy, meaning “gift of God”
- Dora – A name of Greek origin that means “gift,” also a short form of Dorothea, Dorothy, or Theodora, a cousin to Dory
- Dot – Another English short form of Dorothy, meaning “gift of God”
- Drea – A diminutive of Alexandrea or Andrea, of Greek origin, meaning “defending men” or “strong and manly”
Nickname Girl Names That Start with E
- Edie – An English short form of Edith, meaning “prosperous in war”
- Elsie – A diminutive of Elizabeth via its Scottish form, Elspeth, meaning “pledged to God”
- Emme – An American invention and homonym of Emmy, from German, meaning “universal,” also spelled Emmie
- Evie – An English short form of Eve, Eva, or Evelyn, meaning “life”
Nickname Girl Names That Start with F
- Fifi – A French nickname for Josephine, from Hebrew, meaning “Jehovah increases”
- Flo – A nickname of Latin origin from names like Flora or Florence, meaning “flower” or “flourishing”
- Florrie – Another short form of Flora or Florence also meaning “flower” or “flourishing”
- Frankie – A diminutive of Frances, meaning “free man” or “French man”
Nickname Girl Names That Start with G
- Gabby – A short form of the Italian and Spanish name Gabriela, meaning “God is my strength”
- Gigi – A storied French nickname for potential names like Georgina or Gabriela, also meaning “God is my strength”
- Goldie – A Yiddish name, from Golda or Golde, meaning “gold”
- Gwen – A short form of the Welsh name Gwendolyn, meaning “white circle”
Nickname Girl Names That Start with H
- Hallie – A nickname-name on the rise today, that can be short for Halle or Hailey or Holly or considered a standalone name from English and Norse origins, meaning “from the meadow by the manor”
- Hattie – A stoic English nickname and form of Harriet, meaning “estate ruler”
- Hettie – Another English nickname and form of Harriet or Henrietta, meaning “estate ruler”
- Honey – A sweet word nickname that’s become popular among celebrity parents today (Kate Winslet and Jamie Oliver both have girls with the name)
Nickname Girl Names That Start with J
- Jazz – A short form of Jasmine or Jazlyn or a standalone, music-inspired name, likely meaning “gift from God”
- Jenni – A short form of Jennifer or Guinevere, from Welsh, meaning “white shadow” or “white wave”
- Jo – A catch-all nickname for appellations like Josephine, Joanna, etc., meaning “God is gracious”
- Joni – A spelling variation of Joanie and a short form for it, Joan, Johanna, etc., meaning “God is gracious.”
More Nickname Girl Names That Start with J
- Josie – A short form of Josephine, from Hebrew, meaning “Jehovah increases”
- Jovie – A diminutive of names like Jovita, Jovena, and Jovana, all feminine forms of the name Jove, a Latin mythology name for Jupiter
- Jude – A short form of Judith or variation of Judah, from Hebrew, meaning “praised”
- Jules – A standalone unisex name from Greek and Latin that means “youthful,” or a short form of Julia, Julianna, Julie, etc.
Nickname Girl Names That Start with K
- Kate – A diminutive of Katherine, from Greek, meaning “pure”
- Kiki – A storied French nickname that has stood the test of time
- Kit – An English short form of Katherine, meaning “pure”
- Kitty – Yet another English short form of Katherine, meaning “pure”
RELATED: 25 Baby Names for Girls with the Cutest Nicknames
Nickname Girl Names That Start with L
- Laney – An English diminutive of Elaine, meaning “bright, shining one”
- Lettie – An English diminutive of Letitia, from Latin, meaning “joy”
- Lexie – A diminutive of Alexendra, from Greek, meaning “defending men”
- Libby – A cute, English short form of Elizabeth meaning “pledged to God”
More Nickname Girl Names That Start with L
- Liv – A standalone Norse name that means “life” or a short form of Olive or Olivia, meaning “olive tree”
- Lola – A Spanish short form of Dolores, meaning “sadness”
- Lottie – An English diminutive form of Charlotte, from French, meaning “free man” or “French man”
- Lulu – A standalone Arabic name for girls meaning “pearl” or a short form of Louise or Lucy, meaning “renowned warrior”
Nickname Girl Names That Start with M
- Maddie – A diminutive of Madison or Madeline, meaning “high tower” or “woman from Magdala”
- Mae – A diminutive of Mary or Margaret, meaning “pearl” or “bitter”
- Maggie – Another short form of Margaret, also meaning “pearl”
- Maisie – A Scottish short form of Margaret or Mary, meaning “pearl” or “bitter”
More Nickname Girl Names That Start with M
- Margo – A French diminutive of Margaret, meaning “pearl”
- Miley – A modern invention, possibly a female form of Miles, meaning “soldier”
- Millie – A diminutive of Mildred or Millicent, of English and German origin, meaning “gentle strength” or “strong in work”
- Mimi – A short form of Mary, Miriam, and others, can mean “beloved,” “bitter,” and “pearl”
Nickname Girl Names That Start with N
- Nan – An English diminutive of Nancy, meaning “grace”
- Nell – An English diminutive form of Helen, Eleanor, etc., meaning “bright, shining one”
- Nessa – A standalone Scandinavian name that means “promontory” or “headlands” or a short form of Vanessa, Agnes, or Anastasia
- Nico – A diminutive form of the Greek name Nicholas or the Italian appellation, Nicola, meaning “people of victory”
Nickname Girl Names That Start with P
- Penny – An English short form of Penelope, a Greek name, meaning “weaver”
- Pippa – An English diminutive of Philippa, from Greek, meaning “lover of horses”
- Pixie – A name found in Celtic, Swedish, and Cornish traditions, meaning “fairy”
- Prue – A short form of the virtue name Prudence, meaning “caution”
Nickname Girl Names That Start with R
- Romy – A diminutive of Rosemary, Roma, Romana, Romilly, etc., of Latin origin, meaning “a Roman”
- Rosie – A diminutive of Rose, Rosalind, or Rosemary, from English, meaning… “rose”
- Roxy – An English diminutive form of the Persian name Roxane, meaning “dawn”
- Rue – A nickname that originated as an herb name in ancient Rome, or a name meaning “regret”
Nickname Girl Names That Start with S
- Sadie – A diminutive of Sarah, from Hebrew, meaning “princess”
- Sam – A short form of Samantha, another Hebrew name, meaning “told by God”
- Sasha – A Russian diminutive of Alexandra, meaning “defending men”
- Scout – A unisex word name that originated in French, meaning “watcher”
More Nickname Girl Names That Start with S
- Suki – A name of Japanese origin, meaning “loved one”
- Sunny – A short form of names like Sunniva, of English origin, meaning “sunshine”
- Susie – A diminutive of Susan and Susannah, meaning “lily”
- Sylvie – A French short form of Sylvia or Sylvan, meaning “of the woods”
Nickname Girl Names That Start with T
- Tallie
- Teddy
- Tess
- Thea
More Nickname Girl Names That Start with T
- Tibby
- Tiggy
- Tillie
- Tori
Nickname Girl Names That Start with U, V, W, Y, or X
- Vivi – A diminutive of the Viv names like Vivian and Viveca, meaning “life”
- Vi – A diminutive form of just about any V-name but especially Violet, Viola, Vivian, etc.
- Winnie – A short form of the Welsh name Winifred, meaning “blessed peacemaking”
- Xeni – A name of Guatemalan origin, meaning “protector of plants and flowers”
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Nickname Girl Names That Start with Z
- Zadie – An English form of Sadie or Sarah, from Hebrew, meaning “princess”
- Zanna – A diminutive of Susannah or a Polish short form of Jane, meaning “lily”
- Zibby – One of the many diminutives of Elizabeth, meaning “pledged to God”
- Zuzu – A Czech short form of Susan, also meaning “lily”
There you go! What did you think of these nickname girl names? We feel that they sound so cool, casual, and carefree. Finding the right nickname girl name might result in you just choosing the nickname to put on the birth certificate or you choosing the proper name it comes from and simply calling your daughter that nickname from day one. However, you choose to do it, congratulations and best of luck on your baby name journey!