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Help[Opinions] Boy names + girly nicknames
The latest name trend in my brain is thinking of 'girly' nicknames that would work for boys. Do you like any girly nicknames for boy names? And what do you think of them in general?
Alistair 'Alis'
Colin 'Collie'
Callum 'Callie'
Alexander 'Allie', 'Aly'
Lisandro 'Lisa', 'Lise'
Cato 'Caty'
Emmanuel 'Emmy'
Kelton 'Kelly'
Belenus 'Bella'
Lucian 'Lucy', 'Lulu'
Kylan 'Kylie'
Carlisle 'Carly'
Casimir 'Cassie'
etc.
I think a lot of them are cute for babies/kids but wouldn't age well.
The feminine nicknames also seem more intimate for some reason IMO... like something that only your family members or significant other would call you. (Although that might just be because a lot of them end with an "ee" sound, and "-ee" nicknames tend to have that quality. Like Jim vs. Jimmy, Sam vs. Sammy, Pete vs. Petey, etc.)
Alistair 'Alis'
Colin 'Collie'
Callum 'Callie'
Alexander 'Allie', 'Aly'
Lisandro 'Lisa', 'Lise'
Cato 'Caty'
Emmanuel 'Emmy'
Kelton 'Kelly'
Belenus 'Bella'
Lucian 'Lucy', 'Lulu'
Kylan 'Kylie'
Carlisle 'Carly'
Casimir 'Cassie'
etc.
I think a lot of them are cute for babies/kids but wouldn't age well.
The feminine nicknames also seem more intimate for some reason IMO... like something that only your family members or significant other would call you. (Although that might just be because a lot of them end with an "ee" sound, and "-ee" nicknames tend to have that quality. Like Jim vs. Jimmy, Sam vs. Sammy, Pete vs. Petey, etc.)
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Replies
I don't think it's a good idea to give a boy a girly nickname.
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I don't know why a male would want to be called those names, especially since Bella for example is gendered and the masculine form would be Bello which still seems of. And some of them just seem inappropriate for masculine names because of the vibes they peesonally to be me. Lucy will always be a tall brunette feminist to me, personally and I can't change that image. Plus some of those names just have a lot of history for one gender.
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I agree that they're, well, they don't have to be "intimate" but they do have to be personal nicks that the person feels as affectionate. Bella and Lisa are bad and don't seem to me like names any man would want to put up with, but most I can imagine as affectionate, almost-ironic nicks used by friends for a confident guy.
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I'm all for them in general. There are several of which I am a fan.
Callum nn Callie
Tristram / Tristan nn Tris
Josiah nn Josie or Josey
Merritt / Meriwether nn Merry (You could also make an argument for Rita, in the case of the former, but that one doesn't do much for me.)
Alistair / Alasdair nn Aly / Allie / Alis (Hadn't thought of Alis before, but I really dig it!)
Cassander / Caspian / Casper nn Cassie
Lucian nn Lucy
In some cases, I'm more a fan of the nn on a boy than of the actual names from which it could be derived. For example, Conrad / Conor / Connor nn Connie, although Connor / Conor isn't too bad.
I also like some "girly" names for boys--for example, Mackenzie. It boggles my mind that people see the name as feminine.
I used to love James nn Jamie, but Game of Thrones ruined it for me, and I'm not even an avid follower of the show.
Of the ones you mentioned, that don't overlap with mine, I like Cato nn Caty and Emmanuel nn Emmy. I also like Kylie but not Kylan or Kyle.
Callum nn Callie
Tristram / Tristan nn Tris
Josiah nn Josie or Josey
Merritt / Meriwether nn Merry (You could also make an argument for Rita, in the case of the former, but that one doesn't do much for me.)
Alistair / Alasdair nn Aly / Allie / Alis (Hadn't thought of Alis before, but I really dig it!)
Cassander / Caspian / Casper nn Cassie
Lucian nn Lucy
In some cases, I'm more a fan of the nn on a boy than of the actual names from which it could be derived. For example, Conrad / Conor / Connor nn Connie, although Connor / Conor isn't too bad.
I also like some "girly" names for boys--for example, Mackenzie. It boggles my mind that people see the name as feminine.
I used to love James nn Jamie, but Game of Thrones ruined it for me, and I'm not even an avid follower of the show.
Of the ones you mentioned, that don't overlap with mine, I like Cato nn Caty and Emmanuel nn Emmy. I also like Kylie but not Kylan or Kyle.
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I LOVE THEM.
I'm a fan of so-called "effeminate" names though.
My favourite is Sebastian called Basha (link: https://www.behindthename.com/name/basha/submitted).
I think I like it mostly because I think it sounds like a Russian diminutive (it's not).
Furthermore, I love Russian diminutives and most people call them "girly," but Sasha, Misha, Zhenya, etc are AWESOME to me.
Adair / Adrian / Adriel "Addie"
Linden / Lincoln / Linwood "Lin"
Gabriel "Gabby"
Isaiah / Isidore / Israel "Izzy"
Christopher / Christian / Crispin "Chrissy"
Nicholas / Dominic "Nikki"
Grayson "Gracie"
Carson / Carbrey / Carlos / Carter / Carmine "Carrie"
Emmanuel / Emilio "Emmy / Emma"
Caleb / Callum / Calvin / Cale "Cayley / Callie"
I'm a fan of so-called "effeminate" names though.
My favourite is Sebastian called Basha (link: https://www.behindthename.com/name/basha/submitted).
I think I like it mostly because I think it sounds like a Russian diminutive (it's not).
Furthermore, I love Russian diminutives and most people call them "girly," but Sasha, Misha, Zhenya, etc are AWESOME to me.
Adair / Adrian / Adriel "Addie"
Linden / Lincoln / Linwood "Lin"
Gabriel "Gabby"
Isaiah / Isidore / Israel "Izzy"
Christopher / Christian / Crispin "Chrissy"
Nicholas / Dominic "Nikki"
Grayson "Gracie"
Carson / Carbrey / Carlos / Carter / Carmine "Carrie"
Emmanuel / Emilio "Emmy / Emma"
Caleb / Callum / Calvin / Cale "Cayley / Callie"
This message was edited 6/4/2018, 12:01 PM
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-I love most of these too, especially the Russian ones. Sasha, Zhenya, Misha, Pasha are all adorable and totally work for guys.
-I actually know a Salvador who is sometimes called Sally. It’s cute.
-Gracie as an NN for Grayson (or other boy names starting with Gra-) is adorable. It would also work for Gratian, which is a much more distinctive full name, imho.
-I’m not a fan of Kady (and variants) for personal reasons. I was called that sometimes when I was younger and always disliked it because it seemed too frilly (I’m not male btw). I guess it’s nice, just not on me.
-I actually know a Salvador who is sometimes called Sally. It’s cute.
-Gracie as an NN for Grayson (or other boy names starting with Gra-) is adorable. It would also work for Gratian, which is a much more distinctive full name, imho.
-I’m not a fan of Kady (and variants) for personal reasons. I was called that sometimes when I was younger and always disliked it because it seemed too frilly (I’m not male btw). I guess it’s nice, just not on me.
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Béla is a popular (formal) first name among males in Hungary, there, where, it is not even perceived as a feminine name.
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frankly ...
They seem insulting.
Now, there were football players named Rosey Grier and Fran Tarkington, and an old-time baseball player named Candy Cummings and one named Connie Cummings, but they all had formal names. Grier is Roosevelt, Fran is, I assume, Francis, and Mack was Cornelius (better Connie than Corny, I guess.) I don't know what Cummings was actually named, but my point is I think those kind of nns are dated at the very best and only really suited to sports figures.
They seem insulting.
Now, there were football players named Rosey Grier and Fran Tarkington, and an old-time baseball player named Candy Cummings and one named Connie Cummings, but they all had formal names. Grier is Roosevelt, Fran is, I assume, Francis, and Mack was Cornelius (better Connie than Corny, I guess.) I don't know what Cummings was actually named, but my point is I think those kind of nns are dated at the very best and only really suited to sports figures.
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Candy is William Arthur, apparently.
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good grief ...
Candy is a pretty big stretch from that. I know he was probably surrounded by Willies and Bills and Wills and Arties, ...
I guess he could have smushed his names together and gotten Wart, but even Candy's better than that.
In the eighties, among hair-metal musicians, it was a sort of fad to rename themselves with girls' names, as part of their glam image. So there were apparently headbangers who were called Jani and Rachel and Kristy, as stage names. But that fad, like hair metal, is passed.
Candy is a pretty big stretch from that. I know he was probably surrounded by Willies and Bills and Wills and Arties, ...
I guess he could have smushed his names together and gotten Wart, but even Candy's better than that.
In the eighties, among hair-metal musicians, it was a sort of fad to rename themselves with girls' names, as part of their glam image. So there were apparently headbangers who were called Jani and Rachel and Kristy, as stage names. But that fad, like hair metal, is passed.
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There was Izzy (Stradlin) in Guns N Roses too. His real name was Jeffrey Dean Isbell so I guess Izzy kind of made sense.
There's an MMA fighter named Junie which apparently is his real full name and not a nickname.
There's an MMA fighter named Junie which apparently is his real full name and not a nickname.
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I wouldn't automatically classify Izzy as a girlish nn. It sounds more like a 1930's Jewish-gangster-in-a-pulp-fiction-or-movie type setting. I seem to have run across a fair number of them when I went through a stage of reading old pulpy crime novels. Either a villain or a "shamus" as they were called.
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Insulting?
In what way?
In what way?
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Like boys calling another boy they think is wimpy by a girl's name. Like if his name's Charles and they call him Charlene to mock him.
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That’s just a symptom of societal sexism. Femininity shouldn’t be identified with weakness.
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Exactly. It pisses me off that femininity is used as an insult. Throwing like a girl, crying like a girl, etc. What a load of sexist bullshit, and it's exactly the same thing and line of thinking when kids try to insult a boy by calling him a girl's name.
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I don't think it means "femininity is being identified with weakness." Nor a "symptom of societal sexism."
It's just kids who think they have to express gender in certain ways for it to be valid, trying to make each other feel inadequate for not expressing gender to their simplistic standard. They try to apply the pressure they feel, by denying recognition of the gender you want to be seen as - and the simplistic way to do that is to name-call you as if you're the other gender. Nasty, but not sexism. It can happen among girls too, taunting each other for seeming unfeminine by calling them a boy's name - just not as much, because girls aren't as vulnerable to that kind of attack.
It's just kids who think they have to express gender in certain ways for it to be valid, trying to make each other feel inadequate for not expressing gender to their simplistic standard. They try to apply the pressure they feel, by denying recognition of the gender you want to be seen as - and the simplistic way to do that is to name-call you as if you're the other gender. Nasty, but not sexism. It can happen among girls too, taunting each other for seeming unfeminine by calling them a boy's name - just not as much, because girls aren't as vulnerable to that kind of attack.
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"Nasty, but not sexism. It can happen among girls too, taunting each other for seeming unfeminine by calling them a boy's name - just not as much, because girls aren't as vulnerable to that kind of attack."
I completely disagree. The reason why a girl being called a boy's name not having the same weight behind it is precisely due to the devaluing of femininity. It has nothing to do with girls not being vulnerable to that kind of attack; I find that whole argument extremely comical. If a girl is seen as having masculine traits, that's not seen as bad as a boy with feminine traits because femininity = lesser than masculinity.
I completely disagree. The reason why a girl being called a boy's name not having the same weight behind it is precisely due to the devaluing of femininity. It has nothing to do with girls not being vulnerable to that kind of attack; I find that whole argument extremely comical. If a girl is seen as having masculine traits, that's not seen as bad as a boy with feminine traits because femininity = lesser than masculinity.
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Eh, nevermind, I don't think you understand what I meant. We just don't agree.
This message was edited 6/2/2018, 11:31 PM
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late to the party ...
But wanted to say that from things I've seen, at least online, here included, a lot of so-called feminists seem to devalue stereotypically "feminine" things/traits ... unless a boy or man is displaying/espousing them. They hate it when a little girl likes pink dresses and dolls, but they're over the moon over the idea of a little boy insisting on wearing a dress to play house. The reverse is often true too, but seems less glaring. This is yet another reason I don't like to align myself with a lot of self-identified feminists, because I see some hypocrisy in a lot of the things they say, that they of all people ought to be aware of but don't seem to be.
But wanted to say that from things I've seen, at least online, here included, a lot of so-called feminists seem to devalue stereotypically "feminine" things/traits ... unless a boy or man is displaying/espousing them. They hate it when a little girl likes pink dresses and dolls, but they're over the moon over the idea of a little boy insisting on wearing a dress to play house. The reverse is often true too, but seems less glaring. This is yet another reason I don't like to align myself with a lot of self-identified feminists, because I see some hypocrisy in a lot of the things they say, that they of all people ought to be aware of but don't seem to be.
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I agree with you about - when people move the boundary on boy-ness to include more feminine-associated things, in order to try to match the fairness of making "good" masculine things like strength gender-neutral ... yet they still accept that those are "feminine" things, when they are for girls. As if they want to bring girls "up" by showing that feminine things are good enough for boys, instead of just de-gendering "feminine" things.
This message was edited 6/4/2018, 2:35 PM
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forget it
don't care
don't care
This message was edited 6/1/2018, 6:23 PM
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and before anybody asks ...
I don't think that most masculine nns are good on adult women. Sam, Charlie, Stevie, and Mike. Mke, you ask?
Yes, I once met a nurse who called herslelf Mike. I thought "What are you, ten years old and and disguising yourself as your brother to play on a Little League team in some 1970's kiddie movie?"
I'd include Nikki/Nicky, too, but I don't think this is a good name for ANYBODY except maybe a mobster. Little Nicky or Nicky the Knife.
I don't think that most masculine nns are good on adult women. Sam, Charlie, Stevie, and Mike. Mke, you ask?
Yes, I once met a nurse who called herslelf Mike. I thought "What are you, ten years old and and disguising yourself as your brother to play on a Little League team in some 1970's kiddie movie?"
I'd include Nikki/Nicky, too, but I don't think this is a good name for ANYBODY except maybe a mobster. Little Nicky or Nicky the Knife.
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No fights - but feel free to opine
I am describing one of two popular musicians by the name of Stevie:
Each has long hair.
Each (sometimes) wears earrings - long and dangly.
Each has struggled with drug addiction throughout his or her career.
Which Stevie do I describe?
I admire Michael Steele from the bangles - I think her original name is Susan Nancy. I am uncertain of the details but she suffered from sexual harassment. It would have much more difficult for her to protect herself legally, maintain fortitude - and remain in her chosen profession simply due to individual abuse & a subsequent reputational defamation.
I knew a long blond haired catechism instructor (while in first or second grade) perhaps nick-named - Mike - this is how she introduced herself; and this lady had all the charms of a beautiful woman.
I am describing one of two popular musicians by the name of Stevie:
Each has long hair.
Each (sometimes) wears earrings - long and dangly.
Each has struggled with drug addiction throughout his or her career.
Which Stevie do I describe?
I admire Michael Steele from the bangles - I think her original name is Susan Nancy. I am uncertain of the details but she suffered from sexual harassment. It would have much more difficult for her to protect herself legally, maintain fortitude - and remain in her chosen profession simply due to individual abuse & a subsequent reputational defamation.
I knew a long blond haired catechism instructor (while in first or second grade) perhaps nick-named - Mike - this is how she introduced herself; and this lady had all the charms of a beautiful woman.
This message was edited 6/4/2018, 4:30 PM
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I think there are always individuals who can bear an unexpected name and make it not seem strange or wrong.
It doesn't really change my opinion about what sort of person I personally feel a name wouldn't suit.
It's easy to make an exception to a general judgment when you're faced with an individual, but we're talking about aesthetic opinions of names here, not the limits of human beings.
It doesn't really change my opinion about what sort of person I personally feel a name wouldn't suit.
It's easy to make an exception to a general judgment when you're faced with an individual, but we're talking about aesthetic opinions of names here, not the limits of human beings.
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Thank you.
I know I should not stray far from names here, but, I certainly can empathize with the Bangles' band member, Michael Steele - and the countless others who must have suffered similarly.
Thanks again for responding.
I know I should not stray far from names here, but, I certainly can empathize with the Bangles' band member, Michael Steele - and the countless others who must have suffered similarly.
Thanks again for responding.
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I grew up with a Connor nicknamed Connie. I always thought that was adorable.
Alistair nn Ally is also cute.
Here are some other ideas:
Adam nn Addie - When I was little, I could not say my cousin's full name, so I called him Addie. He hates when anyone calls him this, but he still allows me to. This name will always have a special place in my heart.
Amos nn Amy
Andrew nn Annie
Casper, Cassian, etc. nn Cassie
Clement nn Clemmie
Conrad or Constantin nn Connie
Elliott nn Ellie
Emile nn Emmy or Mia
Emmanuel nn Emmy
Everett nn Evie
Gabriel nn Gabby
Jasper nn Jazzy
Lewis, Louis or Luke nn Lulu
Oliver nn Livvy
Patrick nn Patsy
Alistair nn Ally is also cute.
Here are some other ideas:
Adam nn Addie - When I was little, I could not say my cousin's full name, so I called him Addie. He hates when anyone calls him this, but he still allows me to. This name will always have a special place in my heart.
Amos nn Amy
Andrew nn Annie
Casper, Cassian, etc. nn Cassie
Clement nn Clemmie
Conrad or Constantin nn Connie
Elliott nn Ellie
Emile nn Emmy or Mia
Emmanuel nn Emmy
Everett nn Evie
Gabriel nn Gabby
Jasper nn Jazzy
Lewis, Louis or Luke nn Lulu
Oliver nn Livvy
Patrick nn Patsy
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I don’t like or dislike them particularly, but I think as nns, it’s pretty much free reign. If they work, they work, if not they don’t have to be used. I do see them more being used as kids or family nns/pet names, but I can see them sticking for certain people. I like Nikolai nn Niki/Nikki and Indigo nn Indie.
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I like Alis, Cassie, and Kelly okay for guys.
Off the top of my head, I like...
Fern for Ferdinand
Fran for Francis or Francisco
Ani for names that start with An
And possibly...
Angie for Michelangelo
Olive for Ollivander
I once met a guy called Tula, and I liked that. It was a nickname from his surname (don't remember what it was).
Off the top of my head, I like...
Fern for Ferdinand
Fran for Francis or Francisco
Ani for names that start with An
And possibly...
Angie for Michelangelo
Olive for Ollivander
I once met a guy called Tula, and I liked that. It was a nickname from his surname (don't remember what it was).
This message was edited 5/31/2018, 11:14 PM
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I love girly nicknames for boys. They are distinctive and totally ignore society’s sacred cows of gender, which can’t be a bad thing.
Some of my favorites are:
Julian — Julie, Jules
Constantine — Connie, Tina
Florian — Flora, Florrie
James — Jamie
Casper / Cassander / any Cas- name — Cassie
Charles — Charlie (I know it’s not traditionally feminine, but it’s seen that way now)
Alexander — Allie, Lexi
Francis — Fran, Frankie
Caleb — Caley
Lysander — Lyssie, Lys, Lisa
Elijah / Elliott / any El- name — Ellie, Ella
Christopher — Chrissy, Christy, Kit
Oliver — Olive, Liv, Livy
William — Billie
Stephen — Steph, Stef
Some of my favorites are:
Julian — Julie, Jules
Constantine — Connie, Tina
Florian — Flora, Florrie
James — Jamie
Casper / Cassander / any Cas- name — Cassie
Charles — Charlie (I know it’s not traditionally feminine, but it’s seen that way now)
Alexander — Allie, Lexi
Francis — Fran, Frankie
Caleb — Caley
Lysander — Lyssie, Lys, Lisa
Elijah / Elliott / any El- name — Ellie, Ella
Christopher — Chrissy, Christy, Kit
Oliver — Olive, Liv, Livy
William — Billie
Stephen — Steph, Stef
This message was edited 5/31/2018, 10:05 PM
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