The problem with [name_u]Izzy[/name_u] is that most assume it’s short for [name_f]Isabelle[/name_f]/Isabella. But I think it works for any name starting with Is/Iz, regardless of gender
I went to school with a male [name_m]Israel[/name_m] growing up. I believe people called him [name_u]Izzy[/name_u] for short, but more often than not he was called [name_m]Israel[/name_m] by adults. No one looked around for an [name_f]Isabelle[/name_f]/Isabella or a female at all when [name_u]Izzy[/name_u] was called out.
Absolutely not too girly! Such a great name and nickname. For the longest time the only Izzys I had ever known or heard of were boys. Only a few years ago when I met my future niece was [name_u]Izzy[/name_u] ever a girl to me.
I think that [name_m]Israel[/name_m] is totally masculine, & [name_u]Izzy[/name_u] is actually. super cute. It’s sort of popular for girls though, so that would be my only concern. Maybe not a big deal though. I wonder if you could do the nn [name_m]Ike[/name_m] for [name_m]Israel[/name_m]? It may be a stretch, but it’s really fun & more masculine.
I really like [name_u]Izzy[/name_u] on a boy and do not think that nickname is too feminine.
I have known an [name_m]Isidore[/name_m] and an [name_m]Isaac[/name_m] who have both gone by [name_u]Izzy[/name_u]
Israel definitely isn’t too feminine. I think if people only hear [name_u]Izzy[/name_u] (not knowing his name is [name_m]Israel[/name_m]), they may first assume it’s a girl, but once they know, it would be fine. I feel like I read a book with a young boy nicknamed [name_u]Izzy[/name_u] and I don’t recall thinking it was strange or too girly since I knew the kid was a boy.
I’ve never personally known a male [name_u]Izzy[/name_u] so on first glance I do think of it as a more feminine name, but it’s so cute and I think it would be great on a boy!
Israel is lovely for a boy! I do think [name_u]Izzy[/name_u] is rather feminine, just because it’s so associated with the name [name_f]Isabel[/name_f]/la. However, I think [name_u]Izzy[/name_u] works fine for a family nickname. I knew a [name_m]Nicholas[/name_m] who was called [name_u]Nicky[/name_u] at home, but thought it was too girly in public.
The Israels I know are men so not too feminine at all! Though I can see it transition over to becoming popular with girls in the future as many names have like [name_u]Ariel[/name_u] but still I wouldn’t be concerned with what might happen. If I only saw the name [name_u]Izzy[/name_u] without knowing it’s short for [name_m]Israel[/name_m], I would think the person is a girl but [name_u]Izzy[/name_u] can definitely work for boys. I just happen to know more female Izzys but I would say it’s actually unisex and should not have a teasing issue