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Popular Nicknames

Popular nicknames may be used on their own on the birth certificate or might be short forms for proper names ranging from the common to the unusual.

The nicknames here rank highly on both the US and the British lists of popular baby names. These top nicknames are friendly and likeable, but may be much more widely-used than you guess given that they're used as diminutives for such a broad range of names. Don't be surprised if your little Ellie or Jack is one of many on the playground!

The up side of these popular nicknames is that they make any name friendlier and more accessible. So you can choose a name of a mythological hero or a great-great-uncle and make it friendly in the contemporary world through one of these top nicknames.

Leo

Meaning: lion

Origin:Latin
48
Art

Meaning: noble one; bear man

Origin:Diminutive of Arthur
538
Ray

Meaning: wise protector

Origin:Diminutive of Raymond
215
Origin:Diminutive of Augustus, Angus, Gustave, Augustin, Augusten, Augustine, August
478
Sam

Meaning: told by God

Origin:English, diminutive of Samuel
593
Teddy

Meaning: gift of God or wealthy guardian

Origin:Diminutive of Theodore or Edward
325
Casey

Meaning: brave in battle

Origin:Irish
504
Billie

Meaning: resolute protection

Origin:English, diminutive of Wilhelmina, Wilma
409
Betty

Meaning: pledged to God

Origin:Diminutive of Elizabeth
505
Josie

Meaning: Jehovah increases

Origin:English, diminutive of Josephine, feminine of Joseph
552
Hallie

Meaning: dweller at the meadow by the manor

Origin:English
200
Callie

Meaning: beautiful

Origin:Greek diminutive
378
Pia

Meaning: from Mount Olympus

Origin:Latin
563
Maggie

Meaning: pearl

Origin:Diminutive of Margaret
342
Julie

Meaning: youthful, sky father

Origin:French from Latin
1001
Cass The name Cass comes from multiple origins an...
Origin:Diminutive of Cassandra or Cassia
5313
Jess Jess is a name that takes its roots from its...
Origin:Short form of Jessica
4048
Addie The meaning of Addie is 'noble', and 'son of...
Origin:Diminutive of Adelaide or Adeline
709
Emmy

Meaning: work; universal

Origin:Diminutive of Emily and Emma
764
Eddie

Meaning: wealthy

Origin:Diminutive of Edward et al
2051