Formal baby names

Rising in popularity in 2011, parents are following the baby name trend of giving their bundle of joy names with versatility: formal baby names. From Jacob to Michael, and Isabella to Madison, formal names offer you and your offspring both a nickname and a more grow-up alternative for each stage of your child's life. Looking for a formal baby name? Check out our list of formal baby names and the common nickname associated with each. 

Top formal baby names
In recent years, names like Jacob and Jake, and Isabella and Bella have both made their mark on popular baby name charts. But, as the formal baby name trend picks up speed, more parents-to-be are opting for Jacob and Isabella on the birth certificate, still reserving the right to call their kiddo the shorter version without giving up the proper form.

Check out other formal baby boy names from the top of the baby name charts:
Alexander/Alex
Joshua/Josh
Jayden/Jay
Anthony/Tony
Christopher/Chris
Matthew/Matt
David/Dave
Gabriel/Gabe
Christian/Chris
Nathan/Nate
Jackson/Jack
Zachary/Zack
Judah/Jude

Don't miss these other formal baby girl names that are holding rank amongst the top baby names:
Elizabeth/Liz/Beth
Samantha/Sam
Kimberly/Kim
Angelina/Angie
Katelyn/Kate
Liliana/Lily

Find the top 50 baby names of 2011

Formal baby names with nicknames for kids
When it comes to formal names, some monikers have the advantage of coming equipped with their own kid-friendly nickname, like Mikey for Michael, and Abby for Abigail.

Discover these formal baby boy names that are accompanied by pint-sized nicknames:
William/Bill/Billy
Daniel/Dan/Danny
Andrew/Andy/Drew
Joseph/Joe/Joey
James/Jim/Jimmy
Benjamin/Ben/Benny
Samuel/Sam/Sammy
Jonathan/John/Johnny
Nicholas/Nick/Nicky
Robert/Bob/Bobby
Thomas/Tom/Tommy
Gilbert/Gil/Gibby
Edward/Eddie
Steven/Steve/Stevie
Timothy/Tim/Timmy
Rick/Ricky

Take a look at these formal baby girl names that have nicknames that are sure to be as cute as the little girls to whom they will be given:
Madison/Maddy
Alexis/Lexi
Victoria/Vicki
Gabriella/Gabby
Madelyn/Maddie
Katherine/Kate/Katie
Alexandra/Alex
Gabrielle/Gabby
Isabelle/Bell
Addison/Addie
Jessica/Jessie
Rosemary/Rose/Rosie
Anastasia/Annie
Melissa/Missy
Michelle/Shelly
Jennifer/Jen/Jenny
Christina/Chrissie/Chris
Barbara/Barbie/Bobby
Candice/Candy
Danielle/Danny
Deborah/Debbie
Rebecca/Becky
Dorothy/Dottie
Susan/Susie
Maxine/Maxie
Nicole/Nicky

Less common formal baby names
Looking for a formal baby name that your little one won't have to share with other kids in his or her class? Then your best bet is to choose a baby name that is less likely to hang out at the top of the popular baby name charts.

You might want to consider one of these less common formal baby boy names for your future heartbreaker:
Grayson/Gray
Lucas/Luke
Beauvoir/Beau
Bradley/Brad
Elbert/Bert
Jeffrey/Jeff
Martin/Marty

Your daughter-to-be may have a name, and a nickname, all her own if she is given one of these less common formal baby girl names:
Annabelle/Anna
Caroline/Carol
Genevieve/Gen
Rosalie/Rose
Lauren/Lorie
Eleanor/Ellen
Teresa/Tess
Patsy/Pat
Patricia/Patti
Tamara/Tami

Formal baby names with unusual nicknames
Some formal baby names have nicknames that are an obvious version of the name from which it comes. But, for a few formal names, there are some unusual options for nicknaming your little guy or little girl.

Take a gander at these formal baby boy names and formal baby girl names with unusual nicknames:
Charles/Charlie/Chuck
Henry/Hank
Richard/Rich/Richie/Dick
Courtney/Coco
Margaret/Maggie/Peggy
Catherine/Cathy/Kitty

See more popular nicknames for traditional names.

Which trend do you like more: formal baby names or nicknames on the birth certificate?

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