Front-and-back nicknames

General Name Discussion
1

I know a [name_m]Christopher[/name_m] called “Chris” who named his son [name_m]Christopher[/name_m] but called “Topher.” His brother-in-law, an [name_m]Andrew[/name_m] called “Andy,” picked up the idea and named his son [name_m]Andrew[/name_m] called [name_u]Drew[/name_u].

I was thinking that mother-daughter pairs could do the same thing, like two Elizabeths called [name_f]Eliza[/name_f] and [name_f]Beth[/name_f] or two Margarets called [name_f]Maggie[/name_f] and [name_f]Greta[/name_f].

What other names can you think of that this would work with? [name_f]Do[/name_f] you like the idea? Would it work with your own name? If so, would you do it?

2 Likes
2

i think it’s a lovely idea! a parent gets to honor themself without all the confusion of being called the same thing.

some other names that would work:
beatrix ‘bea’ and ‘trixie’
matilda ‘mattie’ and ‘tilda’
dorothea ‘dottie’ or ‘dora’ and ‘thea’
rosalind ‘rosie’ and ‘indy’
wilhelmina ‘willa’ and ‘mina’
eleanor ‘ella’ and ‘nora’ (or nell, elle, lenore, etc.)

frederick ‘freddie’ and ‘ricky’
jeremy ‘jem’ and ‘remy’
timothy ‘tim’ and ‘theo’
albert ‘albie’ and ‘bertie’
alfred ‘alfie’ and ‘freddie’

this idea wouldn’t work with my name (anna :wink:) unless maybe i gave her both my first and middle—i could be anna, she could be marie, perhaps?

3

This is fun! I know a mom and daughter, both [name_f]Katherine[/name_f], who go by [name_f]Kathy[/name_f] and [name_f]Katie[/name_f]. But the front-and-back element should eliminate confusion with initials too, which is nice.

[name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] works very well: my great-grandmother was [name_f]Libby[/name_f] and her daughter (my grandmother) goes by [name_f]Betty[/name_f].

[name_f]Danielle[/name_f] - [name_u]Dani[/name_u], [name_f]Elle[/name_f]
[name_f]Victoria[/name_f] - [name_f]Vicky[/name_f], [name_f]Tori[/name_f]
[name_f]Rebekah[/name_f] - [name_f]Reba[/name_f], Bekah
[name_f]Patricia[/name_f] - Pat/Patsy, [name_f]Trixie[/name_f] or [name_f]Tricia[/name_f]

[name_m]Alexander[/name_m] - [name_u]Alex[/name_u], [name_m]Xander[/name_m]
[name_u]William[/name_u] - Will/Bill, [name_u]Liam[/name_u]

4

Some other ideas

[name_f]Anneliese[/name_f] - [name_u]Anne[/name_u] / [name_f]Anna[/name_f] & [name_u]Lisa[/name_u]
[name_f]Catherine[/name_f] - Cath / [name_f]Cathy[/name_f] / [name_f]Cate[/name_f] & [name_u]Wren[/name_u] (Rin)
[name_f]Cordelia[/name_f] - [name_f]Cora[/name_f] & [name_f]Lia[/name_f]
[name_f]Emilia[/name_f] - [name_f]Em[/name_f] & [name_f]Lia[/name_f]
[name_f]Genevieve[/name_f] - [name_f]Gen[/name_f] & [name_f]Viv[/name_f]
[name_f]Leonora[/name_f] - [name_u]Leo[/name_u] / [name_f]Lea[/name_f] & [name_f]Nora[/name_f]
[name_f]Magdalena[/name_f] - [name_f]Maggie[/name_f] / [name_f]Magda[/name_f] & [name_f]Lena[/name_f]
[name_f]Natalia[/name_f] - [name_u]Nat[/name_u] / [name_u]Nata[/name_u] (I know someone with this nn, prn. Nah-tah) & [name_f]Lia[/name_f]
[name_f]Olivia[/name_f] - [name_u]Ollie[/name_u] & [name_f]Via[/name_f]
[name_f]Rochelle[/name_f] - [name_f]Ro[/name_f] & [name_f]Elle[/name_f]

[name_m]Brandon[/name_m] - [name_u]Bran[/name_u] & [name_m]Don[/name_m]
[name_u]Christian[/name_u] - [name_u]Chris[/name_u] & [name_m]Ian[/name_m]
[name_m]Dominic[/name_m] - [name_m]Dom[/name_m] & [name_u]Nic[/name_u]
[name_u]Edward[/name_u] - [name_m]Ed[/name_m] & [name_m]Ward[/name_m]
[name_m]Emilian[/name_m] - [name_m]Emil[/name_m] & [name_m]Ian[/name_m]
[name_u]Everett[/name_u] - Ev & [name_u]Rhett[/name_u]
[name_m]Jacob[/name_m] - [name_m]Jake[/name_m] & [name_m]Coby[/name_m]
[name_u]Julian[/name_u] - [name_u]Jules[/name_u] & [name_m]Ian[/name_m]
[name_m]Patrick[/name_m] - [name_u]Pat[/name_u] & [name_m]Rick[/name_m]
[name_m]Roderick[/name_m] - [name_m]Rodd[/name_m] & [name_m]Rick[/name_m]
[name_m]Sebastian[/name_m] - [name_m]Seb[/name_m] & [name_m]Bas[/name_m] & [name_m]Ian[/name_m]

[name_u]Cameron[/name_u] - [name_u]Cam[/name_u] & [name_m]Ron[/name_m] / [name_u]Ronnie[/name_u]
[name_u]Mackenzie[/name_u] - [name_u]Mack[/name_u] & [name_u]Kenzie[/name_u]

5

I go by my full name, which is [name_f]Johanna[/name_f] but a mother-daughter pair called [name_u]Jo[/name_u] and [name_f]Hanna[/name_f] could work!

I think it could work with many longer, classic names because they often have both a nickname based on the first part and one based on the last part available.

I have thought of some more examples:
[name_f]Anastasia[/name_f] “Ana” and [name_f]Anastasia[/name_f] “Stacy”
[name_f]Christina[/name_f] “Chris” and [name_f]Christina[/name_f] “Tina”
[name_f]Petronella[/name_f] “Petra” and [name_f]Petronella[/name_f] “Nella”
[name_f]Theodora[/name_f] “Thea” and [name_f]Theodora[/name_f] “Dora”

Laurenzo “Laurie” and Laurenzo “Enzo”
[name_m]Maximilian[/name_m] “Max” and [name_m]Maximilian[/name_m] “Milan”
[name_u]Robert[/name_u] “Rob” and [name_u]Robert[/name_u] “Bert”

6

I read a book with a [name_m]Nathaniel[/name_m] who went by [name_m]Thaniel[/name_m] who had a father [name_m]Nathaniel[/name_m] who i believe went by [name_u]Nat[/name_u]

I’m not a huge fan of exact honour names to be honest, so the idea doesn’t appeal to me personally but I like that it gives kids their own name as well as a family name

I don’t think it would work with my name (Grace) but some it could work with

[name_f]Ginevra[/name_f] -Ginny and [name_u]Nev[/name_u]
[name_f]Dorothy[/name_f]- [name_f]Dot[/name_f] and [name_f]Dolly[/name_f]
[name_f]Natalie[/name_f] - [name_u]Nat[/name_u] and [name_u]Tallie[/name_u]
[name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] - [name_f]Ellie[/name_f] and [name_f]Nora[/name_f]
Harriet-Hattie and [name_f]Etta[/name_f]
[name_f]Eloise[/name_f] -Ellie and [name_f]Lulu[/name_f]
Jemima-Jem and [name_f]Mimi[/name_f]
[name_f]Amelie[/name_f] - [name_u]Ami[/name_u] and [name_f]Millie[/name_f]
[name_f]Isabella[/name_f] -Izzy and [name_f]Bella[/name_f]
[name_f]Alice[/name_f] - [name_u]Allie[/name_u] and [name_f]Lissy[/name_f]
[name_f]Gabriella[/name_f] -Gabby and [name_f]Bria[/name_f]

[name_m]Jonathan[/name_m] -Jonny and [name_m]Jonty[/name_m]
[name_u]Julian[/name_u] -Jules and [name_u]Jude[/name_u]
[name_u]Benjamin[/name_u] -Ben and [name_u]Jem[/name_u]
[name_m]Sebastian[/name_m] -Seb and Bash
[name_u]Elliot[/name_u] -Els and [name_m]Otto[/name_m]
[name_u]Franklin[/name_u] -Frank and [name_u]Flyn[/name_u]
[name_u]Laurence[/name_u]- [name_u]Laurie[/name_u] and [name_u]Ren[/name_u]

7

I love this thread!

Maybe my name could work…? It’s [name_f]Luísa[/name_f]. I’m mostly [name_f]Lu[/name_f], sometimes Lulu; but [name_u]Isa[/name_u] (or Izzy) is a possibility. [name_u]Isa[/name_u] (with a Z sound) is a very common nickname in my area, so I think it could work. [name_f]Louisa[/name_f] = [name_f]Lulu[/name_f] & [name_u]Isa[/name_u].

[name_f]Natasha[/name_f] comes to mind. I know one who answered by [name_u]Nat[/name_u] / [name_m]Natty[/name_m] here in [name_u]Brazil[/name_u], but then moved to the US and now goes by [name_f]Tash[/name_f]. [name_f]Natasha[/name_f] = [name_u]Nat[/name_u] & [name_f]Tash[/name_f].

There is a [name_m]Jonathan[/name_m] nn Than on the show The Most Popular Girls in School. I’m fond of this nickname. [name_m]Jonathan[/name_m] = [name_m]Jonny[/name_m] & Than.

[name_f]Catherine[/name_f] = [name_f]Cate[/name_f] & [name_u]Wren[/name_u]
[name_f]Scarlett[/name_f] = [name_f]Carly[/name_f] & [name_f]Lettie[/name_f]
[name_f]Isabella[/name_f] = [name_u]Izzy[/name_u] & [name_f]Bella[/name_f]
[name_f]Evangeline[/name_f] = [name_f]Eva[/name_f] & [name_u]Angel[/name_u]
[name_f]Angelina[/name_f] = [name_u]Angie[/name_u] & [name_f]Lina[/name_f]
[name_f]Emmanuelle[/name_f] = [name_f]Emma[/name_f] & [name_f]Noelle[/name_f]
[name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] = [name_f]Ellie[/name_f] & [name_f]Nora[/name_f]
[name_f]Rosalia[/name_f] = [name_f]Rose[/name_f] & [name_f]Lia[/name_f]
[name_f]Marigold[/name_f] = [name_f]Mary[/name_f] & [name_f]Goldie[/name_f]

[name_m]Albert[/name_m] = [name_m]Al[/name_m] & [name_u]Bertie[/name_u]
[name_u]Robert[/name_u] = [name_m]Rob[/name_m] & [name_u]Bertie[/name_u]
[name_u]Benjamin[/name_u] = [name_m]Ben[/name_m] & [name_u]Jamie[/name_u]
[name_m]Nicholas[/name_m] = [name_u]Nick[/name_u] & [name_m]Cole[/name_m]
[name_m]Sebastian[/name_m] = [name_m]Seb[/name_m] & [name_m]Bastian[/name_m]
[name_u]Joseph[/name_u] = [name_u]Joey[/name_u] & [name_m]Zef[/name_m]
McKenna = [name_m]Mac[/name_m] & [name_m]Ken[/name_m]

8

[name_m]Hi[/name_m] there.

I’m not a fan of juniors, but as a name nerd I love it in theory.

[name_f]My[/name_f] name is [name_f]Michelle[/name_f], & I go by [name_f]Michelle[/name_f]. I used to know a [name_f]Michelle[/name_f] who went by [name_f]Mikki[/name_f], which could work. I also like the idea of [name_f]Michelle[/name_f] nn [name_f]Ellie[/name_f].

Sorry for any repeats, but I’m thinking…

Boys-

Alexander-Alex & [name_m]Dex[/name_m]

Albert-Albie & [name_u]Bertie[/name_u]

Alfred-Alfie & [name_u]Freddie[/name_u]

August-Augie & [name_u]Gus[/name_u]

Abraham-Abe & [name_m]Bram[/name_m]

Antonia-Ace & [name_u]Nino[/name_u]

Charles-Charlie & [name_u]Cal[/name_u]

Henry-Hank & [name_u]Harry[/name_u]

Isaac-Ike & [name_m]Zac[/name_m]

James-Jem & Jass

Lorenzo-Leo & [name_m]Enzo[/name_m]

Nicolas-Nico & [name_m]Cole[/name_m]

Nathaniel-Nate & [name_m]Nils[/name_m]

Peter-Patch & [name_u]Pip[/name_u]

Sebastian-Seb & Bash

Theodore-Theo & [name_u]Teddy[/name_u]

William-Win & [name_u]Billy[/name_u]

Zachary-Zeke & [name_u]Zooey[/name_u]

Girls-

Antonia-Ani & [name_f]Nonie[/name_f]

Arabella-Ara & [name_f]Bella[/name_f]

Annabelle-Anna & [name_f]Belle[/name_f]

Beatrix-Bess & [name_f]Trixie[/name_f]

Callalilie-Calla & [name_f]Lilie[/name_f]

Cordelia-Cora & [name_f]Delia[/name_f]

Clementine-Cleo & [name_f]Minnie[/name_f]

Dorothea-Daisy & [name_f]Thea[/name_f]

Elowen-Ellie & [name_f]Winnie[/name_f]

Eleanora-Nellie & [name_f]Nora[/name_f]

Eloisa-Ella & [name_f]Lola[/name_f]

Estella-Essie & [name_f]Stella[/name_f]

Georgiana-Georgie & [name_f]Ana[/name_f]

Gwendolen-Gwen & [name_f]Gigi[/name_f]

Imogen-Imee & [name_f]Ginny[/name_f]

Margaret-Maisy & [name_f]Gerty[/name_f]

Susanna-Annie & [name_f]Sadie[/name_f]

Wilhelmina-Willa & [name_f]Mina[/name_f]

9

susanna → susie + anna
marianne → mary + anne
primrose → prim + rose
penelope → penny + nell
guinevere → gwen + vera
adelaide → addie + della
adelheid → addie + heidi
maribel → mary + belle

finnian → finn + ian
caspian/cassian → cass + ian
casper → cass + percy
edwin → eddie + win
beaumont → beau + monty
percival → percy + val

10

I knew an Abraham who went by Hammer (incidental nickname from a cousin that stuck), so there’s another option.

11

Liliana; Lillie/Lily and [name_f]Ana[/name_f]
Isabella; Isa/Izzy and Bella/Belle/Ella
Genevieve; [name_f]Ginny[/name_f] and Evir
Juliana; Julie/Jules and [name_f]Ana[/name_f]
Olivia; [name_f]Liv[/name_f] and [name_f]Via[/name_f]
Charlotte; [name_u]Charlie[/name_u] and [name_f]Lottie[/name_f]
Alexandra; Alex/Lexi and Andy/Sandy

William; Will/Bill and [name_u]Liam[/name_u]
Theodore; [name_u]Theo[/name_u] and [name_u]Teddy[/name_u]
Edward; [name_u]Eddie[/name_u] and [name_u]Teddy[/name_u]
Kendall; [name_m]Ken[/name_m] and [name_f]Dally[/name_f]
Mackenzie; [name_u]Mack[/name_u] and [name_u]Kenzie[/name_u]
Maxwell; [name_u]Max[/name_u] and [name_m]Wells[/name_m]

12

This is fun! Here’s some ideas!

[name_f]Isadora[/name_f] - [name_u]Izzy[/name_u] & [name_f]Dora[/name_f]
[name_f]Theodora[/name_f] - Theo/Teddy & [name_f]Dora[/name_f]
[name_f]Isabella[/name_f] - [name_u]Izzy[/name_u] & [name_f]Bella[/name_f]
[name_f]Winifred[/name_f] - [name_f]Winnie[/name_f] & [name_u]Freddie[/name_u]
[name_f]Alexandra[/name_f] - Ally/Alex/Lexy & Sandra/Sandy
[name_f]Caroline[/name_f] - Cara/Carrie & Linny/Liney
[name_f]Georgiana[/name_f] - [name_u]Georgie[/name_u] & [name_f]Giana[/name_f]
[name_f]Marjorie[/name_f] - Meg/Maggie/Margot & [name_u]Jorie[/name_u]

[name_u]Arthur[/name_u] - [name_m]Art[/name_m] & [name_m]Thor[/name_m]
[name_u]August[/name_u] - [name_m]Augie[/name_m] & [name_u]Gus[/name_u]
[name_m]Caspian[/name_m] - [name_m]Cas[/name_m] & [name_m]Ian[/name_m]
[name_u]Julian[/name_u] - [name_u]Jules[/name_u] & [name_m]Ian[/name_m]
[name_m]Alexander[/name_m] - [name_u]Alex[/name_u] & [name_m]Xander[/name_m]
[name_m]Atticus[/name_m] - Atty/Addi & [name_u]Kit[/name_u]
[name_u]Elliott[/name_u] - [name_u]Eli[/name_u] & [name_u]Leo[/name_u]

13

Here’s some that I thought of
[name_f]Adelita[/name_f] - [name_f]Adele[/name_f] or [name_f]Addy[/name_f] and [name_f]Lita[/name_f] or [name_f]Alita[/name_f]
[name_f]Adeliza[/name_f] - [name_f]Adele[/name_f] or [name_f]Addy[/name_f] and [name_f]Liza[/name_f], [name_f]Aliza[/name_f], or [name_f]Eliza[/name_f]
[name_f]Alexandria[/name_f] - [name_u]Alex[/name_u] or [name_f]Alexa[/name_f] and [name_u]Andrea[/name_u] or [name_f]Sandra[/name_f]
[name_m]Alexander[/name_m] - [name_u]Alex[/name_u] and [name_m]Ander[/name_m], [name_u]Andy[/name_u], or [name_m]Xander[/name_m]
[name_f]Andromeda[/name_f] - [name_u]Andrea[/name_u] and [name_f]Eda[/name_f]
[name_f]Angela[/name_f] - [name_u]Angel[/name_u] and [name_f]Ella[/name_f]
Annabelle/a - [name_f]Anna[/name_f] and [name_f]Belle[/name_f] or [name_f]Bella[/name_f]
[name_f]Ariana[/name_f] - [name_u]Ari[/name_u] and [name_f]Ana[/name_f]
[name_f]Aurelia[/name_f] - [name_u]Auri[/name_u] or [name_f]Aurie[/name_f] and [name_u]Elia[/name_u] or [name_u]Eli[/name_u]
[name_f]Catalina[/name_f] - [name_f]Cat[/name_f] and [name_f]Lina[/name_f] or [name_f]Alina[/name_f]
[name_f]Carolina[/name_f] - [name_u]Carol[/name_u] and [name_f]Lina[/name_f]
Ch/Kristina - Ch/Kristy or Ch/Krista and [name_f]Tina[/name_f]
[name_f]Clarabel[/name_f] - [name_f]Clara[/name_f] and [name_f]Belle[/name_f]
[name_f]Eleanora[/name_f] - [name_f]Ella[/name_f] or [name_f]Ellen[/name_f] and [name_f]Nora[/name_f]
[name_m]Evander[/name_m] - [name_u]Evan[/name_u] and [name_m]Ander[/name_m] or [name_u]Andy[/name_u]
[name_f]Evangelina[/name_f] - [name_f]Eva[/name_f] or [name_f]Evie[/name_f] and [name_f]Lina[/name_f]
[name_f]Gwendolyn[/name_f] - [name_f]Gwen[/name_f] and [name_u]Lynn[/name_u]
[name_f]Henrietta[/name_f] - [name_u]Henri[/name_u] and [name_f]Etta[/name_f] or [name_f]Rita[/name_f]
Isabelle/a - [name_u]Izzy[/name_u] and Belle/a
[name_f]Isadora[/name_f] - [name_u]Isa[/name_u] or [name_u]Izzy[/name_u] and [name_f]Dora[/name_f] or [name_u]Dory[/name_u]
[name_f]Karen[/name_f] - [name_u]Kari[/name_u] and [name_u]Ren[/name_u] - Not conventional nn but I think it works
Katrina/Katarina/Katharina - [name_f]Kat[/name_f] and [name_f]Trina[/name_f], [name_f]Rina[/name_f], or [name_f]Tina[/name_f]
Liana/Lyanna - Li/Lee/Ly and [name_f]Anna[/name_f]
[name_f]Loretta[/name_f] - [name_f]Lori[/name_f] or [name_f]Lora[/name_f] and [name_f]Etta[/name_f]
[name_f]Maribel[/name_f] - [name_f]Mari[/name_f] and [name_f]Belle[/name_f]
[name_f]Mirabel[/name_f] - [name_f]Mira[/name_f] and [name_f]Belle[/name_f]
[name_f]Norabel[/name_f] - [name_f]Nora[/name_f] and [name_f]Belle[/name_f]
[name_f]Rosabel[/name_f] - [name_f]Rosa[/name_f] and [name_f]Belle[/name_f]
[name_f]Rosalie[/name_f] - [name_f]Rose[/name_f], [name_f]Rosa[/name_f], or [name_f]Rosie[/name_f] and [name_u]Allie[/name_u]
[name_f]Rosalina[/name_f] - [name_f]Rosa[/name_f], [name_f]Rose[/name_f], or [name_f]Rosie[/name_f] and [name_f]Lina[/name_f] or [name_f]Alina[/name_f]
[name_f]Victoria[/name_f] - [name_f]Vicky[/name_f], [name_f]Tori[/name_f], and [name_f]Ria[/name_f] for front middle and end nn. I also like [name_f]Cora[/name_f], [name_f]Vita[/name_f], and [name_f]Tia[/name_f] though

Basically most Bel/Belle/Bella and Line/Lina names can be broken into front and back nn

14

Adelaide - Ada & Lady
Bethany - Beth & Annie
Cathleen - Cathy & Lina
Dorothea - Dory & Thea
Evelyn - Evie & Lynn
Florence - Flossie & Ren/Wren
Johanna - Joey & Anna/Hanna(h)
Josephine - Josie & Fina/Phina
Magdalena - Maggie/Magda & Lena
Mallory - Mallie & Ry
Matilda - Mattie & Tillie
Ophelia - Ophie & Lia
Remember - Rem/Mem - Berry
Shiloh - Shy & Lo/Lola
Theodosia - Thea & Dosia

(I have sooooo many more, but my big list of names isn’t loading. Is anyone else having this problem?)

15

It would work for my name I think- [name_f]Tamara[/name_f] as [name_f]Tammy[/name_f] and [name_f]Mara[/name_f]. I wouldn’t do it though.

[name_f]Magdalena[/name_f]- Maggie/Lena
[name_f]Natalia[/name_f]- Nat/Talia
[name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f]- Willa/Mina
[name_f]Georgianna[/name_f]- Georgia/Anna or Georgie/Gianna
[name_u]Andrea[/name_u]- Andy/Rea
[name_u]Romilly[/name_u]- Romy/Millie
[name_f]Amelia[/name_f]- Amy/Lia
[name_f]Annika[/name_f]- Annie/Nika or [name_u]Nikki[/name_u]
[name_f]Mabel[/name_f]- Mae/Belle
[name_f]Isabella[/name_f]- Izzy/Bella
[name_f]Isadora[/name_f]- Izzy/Dora
[name_f]Amanda[/name_f]- Amy/Mandy
[name_f]Theadora[/name_f]- Thea/Dora
[name_f]Ashlyn[/name_f]- Ash/Lynn
[name_f]Cassandra[/name_f]- Cassie/Sandra or [name_u]Sandy[/name_u]
[name_f]Elena[/name_f]- Ellie/Lena
[name_f]Charlotte[/name_f]- Charlie/Lottie
[name_f]Colette[/name_f]- Coco/Lettie
[name_f]Eleanora[/name_f]- Ella/Nora
[name_u]Juniper[/name_u]- Juni/Perry
[name_f]Teresa[/name_f]- Terry/Reese
[name_f]Matilda[/name_f]- Mattie/Tilda or Maddie/Tilda or [name_f]Tillie[/name_f]
[name_f]Veronica[/name_f]- Vera/Nica or [name_u]Nicky[/name_u] or [name_u]Ronnie[/name_u]
[name_f]Jasmine[/name_f]- Jazz/Minnie
[name_u]Evelyn[/name_u]- [name_f]Evie[/name_f] or Eva/Lynn
[name_f]Roxanne[/name_f]- [name_f]Roxie[/name_f] or Rocky/Anne or [name_f]Annie[/name_f]
[name_f]Dahlia[/name_f]- Dolly/Lia
[name_f]Delilah[/name_f]- Dede/Lilah