Formal Name With Various Trendy Nicknames?

Boy Names
1

[name_m]Hi[/name_m] Berries,

My husband and I are running into a bit of a wall when it comes to choosing names. There aren’t many we agree on and it seems the ones we do both like have reasons that they’re unusable (examples include [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] for a girl, [name_m]Anthony[/name_m], [name_u]Ryan[/name_u], and [name_m]Eric[/name_m] for a boy).

We don’t really have many requirements other than it be two or more syllables with options for nicknames (they can be one or more syllables). Thus far we can’t put our finger on what our “style” is - I don’t think we have one.

Boy names we like but that don’t necessarily seem right for us include [name_m]Calvin[/name_m] (this is our front runner but hubby likes it more than I do), [name_u]Aidan[/name_u], [name_m]Dominic[/name_m], and [name_u]Owen[/name_u].

We’ve been discussing the name [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] for a girl because nicknames would include [name_f]Ella[/name_f], [name_f]Elle[/name_f], [name_f]Ellie[/name_f], and [name_f]Nora[/name_f] while giving her a formal option to use for job interviews, for example. However, neither of us really loves [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] - we’d probably never call her that and are’t sure we want to give her a name we only like the nicknames for. We’re looking for similar names for boys but are kind of stumped. [name_m]Dominic[/name_m] fits the bill with options like [name_m]Dom[/name_m] and [name_u]Nick[/name_u] but it doesn’t quite seem like us.

Can you berries offer other suggestions for formal names with more modern/trendy nicknames? [name_m]Anthony[/name_m] would be a great option but is off of the table due to a close friend being named that.

My husband tends to lean toward more traditional names (his choice would be [name_m]Charles[/name_m] (not usable) while I like more modern names like [name_m]Griffin[/name_m] and [name_u]Mason[/name_u] (he hates both).

We’re not sure if baby is going to be a boy or a girl so I’ll be posting a similar post in the girl forum.

Any help is appreciated, berries!

2

While we’re here, I’ll post both boys’ and girls’ names with any nicknames I can think of. Best of luck!

[name_m]Alexander[/name_m] ([name_u]Alex[/name_u], [name_m]Xander[/name_m], [name_m]Ander[/name_m], [name_u]Andy[/name_u])
[name_m]Andrew[/name_m] ([name_u]Andy[/name_u], [name_u]Drew[/name_u])
[name_m]Benjamin[/name_m] ([name_m]Ben[/name_m], [name_m]Benji[/name_m])
[name_m]Daniel[/name_m] ([name_m]Dan[/name_m], [name_u]Danny[/name_u])
[name_u]Elliott[/name_u] ([name_m]Eli[/name_m])
[name_m]Harrison[/name_m] ([name_m]Harris[/name_m], [name_m]Harry[/name_m])
[name_u]Jameson[/name_u] ([name_u]James[/name_u], [name_m]Jim[/name_m], [name_m]Jimmy[/name_m])
[name_m]Lincoln[/name_m] ([name_m]Link[/name_m])
[name_m]Marcus[/name_m] ([name_m]Marc[/name_m]/[name_m]Mark[/name_m])
[name_m]Matthew[/name_m] ([name_m]Matt[/name_m])
[name_u]Michael[/name_u] ([name_m]Mike[/name_m], [name_m]Mikey[/name_m], [name_u]Mickey[/name_u], [name_u]Micah[/name_u], [name_m]Mack[/name_m])
[name_m]Nathaniel[/name_m] ([name_m]Nathan[/name_m], [name_m]Nate[/name_m], [name_u]Nat[/name_u])
[name_m]Oliver[/name_m] ([name_u]Ollie[/name_u])
[name_m]Quentin[/name_m] ([name_u]Quinn[/name_u])
[name_m]Robert[/name_m] ([name_m]Rob[/name_m], [name_u]Robbie[/name_u], [name_m]Bob[/name_m], [name_u]Bobby[/name_u], [name_u]Bert[/name_u])
[name_m]Samuel[/name_m] ([name_u]Sam[/name_u])
[name_m]William[/name_m] ([name_m]Will[/name_m], [name_m]Bill[/name_m], [name_u]Billy[/name_u], [name_m]Liam[/name_m])
[name_m]Zachary[/name_m] ([name_m]Zack[/name_m]/[name_m]Zach[/name_m], [name_m]Harry[/name_m])

[name_f]Adalyn[/name_f] ([name_f]Ada[/name_f], [name_f]Addie[/name_f], [name_u]Lyn[/name_u])
[name_f]Amelia[/name_f] ([name_f]Amy[/name_f], [name_u]Mel[/name_u], [name_f]Mila[/name_f], [name_f]Lia[/name_f])
[name_f]Cambria[/name_f] ([name_f]Cami[/name_f], [name_f]Brie[/name_f], [name_f]Bria[/name_f])
[name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] ([name_f]Char[/name_f], [name_u]Charlie[/name_u], [name_f]Lottie[/name_f])
[name_f]Delilah[/name_f] ([name_f]Lila[/name_f])
Ellarie ([name_f]Ella[/name_f])
[name_f]Elodie[/name_f] ([name_f]Elle[/name_f], [name_f]Ellie[/name_f], [name_f]Edie[/name_f])
[name_f]Estee[/name_f] ([name_f]Essie[/name_f])
[name_f]Gwendolyn[/name_f] ([name_f]Gwen[/name_f], [name_f]Wendy[/name_f], [name_f]Winnie[/name_f], [name_f]Dolly[/name_f], [name_u]Lyn[/name_u])
[name_f]Ingrid[/name_f] ([name_f]Indie[/name_f])
[name_f]Isabelle[/name_f] ([name_u]Isa[/name_u], [name_u]Izzy[/name_u], [name_f]Belle[/name_f])
Joyelle ([name_f]Joy[/name_f], [name_f]Elle[/name_f], [name_f]Ellie[/name_f])
[name_f]Katrina[/name_f] ([name_f]Kat[/name_f], [name_f]Katie[/name_f], [name_f]Trina[/name_f])
[name_f]Lucia[/name_f] ([name_f]Lucy[/name_f])
[name_f]Madeline[/name_f] ([name_f]Maddie[/name_f], [name_f]Della[/name_f], [name_f]Lina[/name_f])
[name_f]Margaret[/name_f] ([name_f]Maggie[/name_f], [name_f]Margo[/name_f], [name_f]Maisie[/name_f], [name_f]Greta[/name_f], [name_m]Rhett[/name_m])
[name_f]Olivia[/name_f] ([name_f]Olive[/name_f], [name_f]Livia[/name_f], [name_f]Liv[/name_f])
[name_f]Penelope[/name_f] ([name_u]Penny[/name_u], [name_f]Nell[/name_f], [name_f]Nellie[/name_f])
[name_f]Rosalie[/name_f] ([name_f]Rose[/name_f], [name_f]Rosie[/name_f], [name_f]Rosa[/name_f], [name_f]Sally[/name_f], [name_f]Lia[/name_f])
[name_f]Scarlett[/name_f] ([name_f]Carly[/name_f], [name_f]Letta[/name_f], [name_u]Scout[/name_u], [name_u]Red[/name_u], [name_f]Cara[/name_f])
[name_f]Victoria[/name_f] ([name_f]Vicki[/name_f], [name_f]Tori[/name_f], [name_f]Ria[/name_f])

3

A lot of these are such good suggestions and many we’ve already covered. The ones we both like ([name_m]Matthew[/name_m], [name_m]Benjamin[/name_m], [name_m]Zachary[/name_m], Madelline, [name_f]Penelope[/name_f]) are unusable due to family or close friends being named those. The others we aren’t both on board with. I so appreciate your suggestions!

4

I find [name_m]Dominic[/name_m] the most interesting of the names on your list. [name_u]Aidan[/name_u] and [name_m]Calvin[/name_m] just seems so popular. I also love the nn possibilities you would get with [name_m]Dominic[/name_m].

Some suggestions (sorry for repeats):

[name_m]Donovan[/name_m]
[name_m]Maxwell[/name_m]
[name_m]Magnus[/name_m]
[name_m]Solomon[/name_m]
[name_m]Richard[/name_m]
[name_m]Theodore[/name_m]
[name_m]Vincent[/name_m]
[name_m]Timothy[/name_m]
[name_u]Sullivan[/name_u]
[name_m]Edward[/name_m]
[name_m]Sebastian[/name_m]
[name_m]Beckett[/name_m]
[name_m]Dashiell[/name_m]
[name_u]August[/name_u]
[name_m]Franklin[/name_m]
[name_u]Hudson[/name_u]
[name_m]Walter[/name_m]
Raiden
[name_u]Kieran[/name_u]
[name_u]Brennan[/name_u]
[name_m]Graham[/name_m]
[name_m]Nicholas[/name_m]
[name_u]Corbin[/name_u]
[name_m]Lucas[/name_m]

[name_f]Hope[/name_f] you like some of these!

5

If [name_m]Matthew[/name_m] is unusable, what about [name_m]Mathias[/name_m]? Nicknames [name_m]Matt[/name_m] and [name_m]Ty[/name_m]. And instead of [name_m]Dominic[/name_m] (which I think fits your criteria quite nicely), would you consider [name_m]Donovan[/name_m], with trendy nickname [name_u]Van[/name_u]?

Other ideas for boys:

[name_u]August[/name_u] ([name_m]Augie[/name_m], [name_u]Gus[/name_u])
[name_m]Christopher[/name_m] ([name_u]Chris[/name_u], [name_m]Kip[/name_m], [name_u]Kit[/name_u], [name_m]Topher[/name_m])
[name_m]Jonathan[/name_m] ([name_m]Jack[/name_m], [name_m]Jon[/name_m], [name_m]Johnny[/name_m])
[name_u]Lawrence[/name_u] ([name_m]Lance[/name_m], [name_m]Lars[/name_m], [name_m]Law[/name_m], Laz, [name_u]Lou[/name_u])
[name_m]Leonard[/name_m] ([name_m]Leo[/name_m])
[name_m]Nicholas[/name_m] ([name_u]Nico[/name_u], [name_u]Nick[/name_u])
[name_m]Nolan[/name_m] (doesn’t really lend itself to nicknames, but it reminds me of [name_m]Calvin[/name_m], [name_m]Dominic[/name_m] and [name_u]Owen[/name_u])
[name_m]Patrick[/name_m] ([name_u]Pax[/name_u])
[name_m]Theodore[/name_m] ([name_u]Theo[/name_u])

6

I do really like some of these but again, they either can’t be used ([name_m]Nicholas[/name_m]) or don’t seem like us ([name_m]Maxwell[/name_m], [name_m]Beckett[/name_m], [name_m]Walter[/name_m]). I try to imagine myself using them day to day in our family and I just can’t for some reason. [name_m]Lucas[/name_m] has come up a few times now and while I love [name_m]Luke[/name_m] I don’t know that I love [name_m]Lucas[/name_m] - same issue with [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] where we’d almost never use his name. It’s on the maybe list but I’m glad you brought it up again to remind me that I do really like it!

7

I’ve been considering [name_m]Jonathan[/name_m] and for some reason I just can’t shake the association I have with a boy I knew growing up. I literally haven’t seen or associated with him in probably 20+ years and yet he sort of ruined that name for Me. I keep trying to think of nicknames for it that I’d love (not [name_m]John[/name_m]/Johhn) but perhaps [name_m]Nate[/name_m] but I’m not entirely sold on it. I love [name_m]Nicholas[/name_m] but it is yet another unusable. I actually really like [name_m]Nolan[/name_m] but my brother’s fiance has claimed it (it was supposed to be my brother’s name until a last minute change occurred). I also like [name_m]Patrick[/name_m] but my husband isn’t feeling it.

8

[name_m]Lucas[/name_m] and [name_m]Luke[/name_m] is a great name for a boy! But if you’re not sure about [name_m]Lucas[/name_m] what about [name_m]Lucian[/name_m]? I think you could still use the nickname [name_m]Luke[/name_m] and [name_m]Lucian[/name_m] is such a pretty classic and handsome boys name.

And while I’m writing I might throw in a few more suggestions that you might like:

[name_m]Jacob[/name_m]- [name_m]Jake[/name_m] or [name_m]Jack[/name_m]
[name_m]Joshua[/name_m]- [name_m]Josh[/name_m]
[name_m]Leonard[/name_m]- [name_m]Leo[/name_m]
[name_m]Frederick[/name_m]- [name_u]Freddie[/name_u] or [name_m]Fred[/name_m]
[name_m]Phillippe[/name_m]- [name_m]Pip[/name_m], [name_u]Phil[/name_u], [name_u]Philly[/name_u],
[name_m]Albert[/name_m]- [name_m]Albie[/name_m]
[name_m]Alfred[/name_m]- [name_u]Alfie[/name_u], [name_m]Fred[/name_m], [name_u]Freddie[/name_u]
[name_m]Anton[/name_m]- ?
[name_m]Christian[/name_m]- [name_u]Chris[/name_u], [name_m]Ian[/name_m],
[name_m]Andreas[/name_m]- [name_u]Andy[/name_u]
[name_u]Spencer[/name_u]- [name_u]Spence[/name_u]
[name_m]Gabriel[/name_m]- [name_m]Gabe[/name_m]
[name_m]Julian[/name_m]- [name_u]Jules[/name_u]
[name_m]Graham[/name_m]- [name_u]Gray[/name_u]
[name_m]Jasper[/name_m]- [name_m]Jas[/name_m]

I hope you find a name you like soon! :slight_smile:

9

[name_m]Lucas[/name_m] and [name_m]Luke[/name_m] is a great name for a boy! But if you’re not sure about [name_m]Lucas[/name_m] what about [name_m]Lucian[/name_m]? I think you could still use the nickname [name_m]Luke[/name_m] and [name_m]Lucian[/name_m] is such a pretty classic and handsome boys name.

And while I’m writing I might throw in a few more suggestions that you might like:

[name_m]Jacob[/name_m]- [name_m]Jake[/name_m] or [name_m]Jack[/name_m]
[name_m]Joshua[/name_m]- [name_m]Josh[/name_m]
[name_m]Leonard[/name_m]- [name_m]Leo[/name_m]
[name_m]Frederick[/name_m]- [name_u]Freddie[/name_u] or [name_m]Fred[/name_m]
[name_m]Phillippe[/name_m]- [name_m]Pip[/name_m], [name_u]Phil[/name_u], [name_u]Philly[/name_u],
[name_m]Albert[/name_m]- [name_m]Albie[/name_m]
[name_m]Alfred[/name_m]- [name_u]Alfie[/name_u], [name_m]Fred[/name_m], [name_u]Freddie[/name_u]
[name_m]Anton[/name_m]- ?
[name_m]Christian[/name_m]- [name_u]Chris[/name_u], [name_m]Ian[/name_m],
[name_m]Andreas[/name_m]- [name_u]Andy[/name_u]
[name_u]Spencer[/name_u]- [name_u]Spence[/name_u]
[name_m]Gabriel[/name_m]- [name_m]Gabe[/name_m]
[name_m]Julian[/name_m]- [name_u]Jules[/name_u]
[name_m]Jasper[/name_m]- [name_m]Jas[/name_m]
Emeric- Ric, Ricky, Em

I hope you find a name you like soon!

11

You’re a nickname master! A lot of these are great suggestions!

12

If you like [name_m]Luke[/name_m] but not [name_m]Lucas[/name_m], then [name_m]Luke[/name_m] is perfectly acceptable on its own, otherwise there’s [name_u]Luca[/name_u].
I really like [name_m]Calvin[/name_m] ([name_u]Cal[/name_u] or [name_u]Vinny[/name_u]) on your list.
I also like: [name_u]Spencer[/name_u]/[name_u]Spence[/name_u], [name_m]Lachlan[/name_m]/Lachie, [name_m]Reginald[/name_m]/[name_u]Reggie[/name_u], [name_m]Gavin[/name_m]/Gav, [name_u]Elias[/name_u]/[name_m]Eli[/name_m], [name_m]Christian[/name_m]/[name_u]Chris[/name_u]

[name_f]Ellie[/name_f]/[name_f]Elle[/name_f]/[name_f]Nora[/name_f] are also substantial on their own. Despite nn origins for [name_f]Nora[/name_f]/[name_f]Norah[/name_f] - I see it as a formal name.
Similar: [name_f]Elena[/name_f], [name_f]Ellen[/name_f], [name_f]Elise[/name_f], [name_u]Eloise[/name_u], [name_f]Eliana[/name_f], [name_f]Elodie[/name_f], [name_f]Noreen[/name_f], [name_f]Elenora[/name_f], [name_f]Lenore[/name_f], [name_f]Lenora[/name_f], [name_f]Noelle[/name_f].
I also like [name_f]Adelaide[/name_f], which you might be able to use some form of the nn’s you like, otherwise there’s [name_f]Addie[/name_f], [name_f]Heidi[/name_f] or maybe [name_f]Adele[/name_f].

13

I think your naming style is classic traditional.
[name_m]Gulliver[/name_m] - [name_m]Iver[/name_m], [name_m]Ives[/name_m], [name_m]Ivo[/name_m], Gully, [name_u]Gill[/name_u], [name_f]Holley[/name_f]
[name_m]Oliver[/name_m] - Olley, [name_m]Iver[/name_m], [name_m]Ives[/name_m]
[name_m]Miles[/name_m] - [name_m]Milo[/name_m], [name_m]Mills[/name_m], [name_f]Milly[/name_f]
[name_m]Anton[/name_m] - [name_u]Tony[/name_u]
[name_m]Charles[/name_m] - [name_u]Charlie[/name_u], [name_m]Chad[/name_m], [name_m]Chaz[/name_m], [name_u]Arlo[/name_u]
[name_m]Arron[/name_m] - [name_u]Ari[/name_u], [name_m]Ace[/name_m], A, [name_m]Ron[/name_m], [name_u]Ronnie[/name_u], [name_m]Oron[/name_m]
[name_m]Gabriel[/name_m] - [name_m]Gabe[/name_m], [name_m]Abe[/name_m], [name_f]Bree[/name_f], [name_m]Riel[/name_m], [name_u]Gabby[/name_u], [name_m]Abram[/name_m]
[name_m]Chadwick[/name_m] - [name_m]Chad[/name_m], [name_m]Chaz[/name_m], [name_m]Dick[/name_m], [name_m]Dickie[/name_m]
[name_u]Rylan[/name_u] - [name_m]Rye[/name_m], [name_u]Lane[/name_u], [name_u]Laney[/name_u]
[name_m]Erikson[/name_m] - [name_u]Ari[/name_u], [name_m]Rick[/name_m], [name_u]Sonny[/name_u]
[name_m]Theodore[/name_m] - [name_u]Theo[/name_u], [name_m]Doran[/name_m], [name_u]Dory[/name_u]
[name_u]Elliot[/name_u] - [name_m]Eli[/name_m], [name_m]Leo[/name_m], [name_m]Leon[/name_m]
[name_m]Alexander[/name_m] - [name_m]Alec[/name_m], [name_m]Zander[/name_m], [name_m]Sanders[/name_m], [name_m]Axe[/name_m], [name_m]Axel[/name_m], [name_u]Lex[/name_u]
[name_m]William[/name_m] - [name_m]Liam[/name_m], [name_u]Lee[/name_u], [name_m]Will[/name_m], [name_m]Willis[/name_m], Wee
[name_m]Alaric[/name_m] - [name_u]Ali[/name_u], Attic, [name_m]Rick[/name_m], [name_m]Larry[/name_m], [name_m]Al[/name_m], [name_u]Ari[/name_u]
[name_m]Colton[/name_m] - [name_m]Cole[/name_m], [name_u]Tony[/name_u], [name_u]Ollie[/name_u]
[name_u]Dexter[/name_u] - [name_m]Dex[/name_m], [name_m]Dex[/name_m]
[name_m]Thadeus[/name_m] - [name_m]Tad[/name_m], [name_m]Thad[/name_m]
[name_m]Marco[/name_m] - [name_m]Mace[/name_m], [name_m]Marc[/name_m], [name_f]Coe[/name_f], [name_m]Mace[/name_m]

14

My three sons have formal names with nicknames that offer a totally different feel. Maybe one of these will strike you?
[name_m]Sebastian[/name_m], nn Bash/Bashy
[name_m]Conrad[/name_m], nn [name_m]Rad[/name_m]/[name_m]Raddie[/name_m]
[name_m]Truett[/name_m], nn [name_u]True[/name_u]

Good luck!

15

[name_m]Espen[/name_m], [name_m]Penn[/name_m]/Ez
[name_m]Penley[/name_m], [name_m]Penn[/name_m]
[name_f]Whitley[/name_f], [name_u]Whit[/name_u]
[name_m]Whittaker[/name_m], [name_u]Whit[/name_u]
[name_m]William[/name_m], [name_m]Willem[/name_m]/[name_m]Will[/name_m]/[name_m]Wim[/name_m]
[name_m]Eliakim[/name_m], [name_m]Eli[/name_m]/[name_u]Elias[/name_u]/[name_m]Elika[/name_m]
[name_m]Tolliver[/name_m], Tolly

Avonlea, [name_f]Ava[/name_f]/[name_f]Lea[/name_f]
[name_f]Rosalba[/name_f], [name_f]Rosie[/name_f]/[name_f]Alba[/name_f]
[name_f]Elethia[/name_f], [name_f]Elle[/name_f]/[name_f]Ellie[/name_f]/[name_f]Ella[/name_f]/[name_f]Thia[/name_f]/[name_f]Thea[/name_f]

16

You berries gave this some serious thought and I so, so appreciate you taking the time to respond! There are tons of great suggestions listed and while nothing has hit home as “the one” just yet we’ll definitely be referencing these lists as we move forward.

Thank you all so much!