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Popular nicknames for traditional names

Written by Elizabeth Weiss McGolerick

Nicknames don’t always have to be a play on your child’s given name. In fact, sometimes when you’re naming a son or daughter after yourself or a living relative, giving a unique nickname right from the start can limit the confusion.

Cute sleeping baby boy The sports arena is one place where nicknames are almost required – from Dr. J to Raging Bull, Boom Boom to The Bus. The nicknames of some well-known political and military folks don’t necessarily stem from their first names either such as Ike (President Dwight D. Eisenhower), Dubya (President George W. Bush), Scooter (I. Lewis Libby, Jr., U.S. political advisor), Stonewall (Thomas J. Jackson, Confederate general) and Granny (Robert E. Lee, Confederate general).

Initials As Nicknames

But you don’t have to go completely outside the box by giving your child a “The” in front of their name. Sometimes nicknames are as easy as working with the initials of a first and middle name (JT for Joseph Todd, AJ for Alexandra Jane) or abbreviating the full name. In fact, you’ve probably heard of our 35th president referred to more often as JFK than by his entire name.

Last Names As Nicknames

Last names can create good nicknames as well. For example, if you have a last name starting with Mc, you can nickname your child Mick, Mac, Mack or Maks, no matter what their first name is.

You may also find that your child’s nickname naturally develops on its own, like Edwin Aldrin’s. The nickname of the second man on the moon, Buzz Aldrin, came from his sister’s inability to pronounce “brother,” instead saying “buzzer.” You can take it from there…

So don’t feel obligated or pressured to create a nickname for your child immediately. But if you’d like some ideas about how to play off of their given name, below is a list of traditional names and some of the possible nicknames they have – so you can choose the one you want for your child before someone else tries to!

Popular Nicknames for Traditional Names

Albert – Al, Albie, Bert
Alexander – Alex, Xander, Lex, Al, Andy
Alexandra – Alex, Alexa, Lexa, Lexi
Anthony – Tony, Ant
Barbara – Barb, Babs, Barbie
Benjamin – Ben, Benjy, Benji, Benny
Christine – Chris, Christi, Tina, Chrissy
Christopher – Chris, Christo, Topher
Daniel – Dan, Danny
Danielle – Dani, Danni, Dan, Elle
Edward – Ed, Eddie, Ted, Teddy, Ned
Elizabeth – Liz, Lizzy, Lizzie, Libby, Beth, Bess, Eliza, Liza, Betty, Eli
Frances – Fran, Franny, Frannie, Frankie
Frederick – Fred, Freddie, Rick, Dick, Derick
Gabrielle – Gabby, Gabbie, Elle, Brie
James – Jim, Jimmy, Jimbo, Jamer, Jeb
Jason – Jase, Jace, Jay
Jennifer – Jen, Jenny, Jennie, Jenna
John – Johnny, Johnnie, Jack
Joseph – Joe, Joey
Katherine – Kate, Kat, Kathy Katie, Terri
Kristin – Kris, Kristy
Margaret – Meg, Marge, Margie, Margo, Marg
Matthew – Matt, Matty, Mat
Melissa – Missy, Issa, Mel
Michael – Mike, Miko, Mikey, Mick, Mickey
Nathaniel – Nathan, Nate, Natty, Nat
Nicholas – Nick, Nico, Nicky
Oliver – Ollie, Oli
Olivia – Liv, Livvie, Olive
Patricia – Pat, Patty, Trish, Patsy
Patrick – Pat, Patty, Rick
Rebecca – Becca, Becky, Beckie, Bec, Beck, Rebby, Reba
Richard – Rich, Rick, Ricky, Dick
Robert – Rob, Robbie, Bob, Bobby, Bert, Robin
Samantha – Sam, Sammy
Stephanie – Steph, Stephie
Steven – Steve, Stevie
Susan – Suz, Susanna, Sus, Sooz, Susie, Sue
Thomas – Tom, Tommy, Thom
Timothy – Tim, Timmy, Timo
Vanessa – Van, Nessa, Nessie, Vanna
Victoria – Vicki, Vic, Tory, Tori
William – Will, Bill, Billy, Willy