10 Baby Names With Adorable Nicknames You'll Actually Use

When my husband and I agreed on a baby name, we settled it quickly, and that was a wrap. It has two syllables, so no shortened version or nickname even crossed our radar. But later, as I witnessed more of my friends' pregnancies, I realized many didn't have it so easy — because they were looking for not just one name, but two. One friend had a classic family heirloom name she'd decided on years ago, but wanted a modern nickname to pair with. Another seemed to be working backwards — she'd fallen in love with a nickname but was struggling to find a longer, "proper" name to anchor it.

Formal names with nicknames can give children the best of both worlds. As a Redditor at r/namenerds recalled, while growing up, they referred to their full, proper name as their "first day of school" or "at the doctor's office" name. They had a nickname, which their friends and family used almost exclusively in everyday life. For this reason, the person noted they related more deeply to the nickname. For the parents looking to cultivate similar nostalgia, we searched for girls' and boys' names with double appeal. Names that are sure to impress in a formal setting (like a future job application), but have shortened versions perfect for those doting moments of family life at home. It was a tough job, but we think we managed to narrow down the cutest ones. 

Of Hebrew origin and meaning "peace," Solomon is a standout choice for modern parents looking at faith-based or Biblical names you won't hear every day. Shared with the powerful ancient king of the Israelites, the name Solomon might sound intimidating at first, but when paired with the charming nickname "Solly," it becomes a better fit for an adorable, precious little one. Other nicknames for Solomon include Sully, Ollie, and Sol — the latter (meaning "sun") appealing to parents with celestial and astrological interests.

Some parents who grew up watching "Dawson's Creek" remember Katie Holmes' character, Josephine (aka Joey). Personally, it was one of my first exposures to the popular "boy names for girls" trend, and to this day, some of my favorite girls' names follow this rule. Josephine means "to increase" or "bring blessings." It was the name of the first empress of France, and it has been slowly climbing in popularity in the United States since the turn of the 21st century. Other nicknames for Josephine include Josie, Jojo, Jo, Fifi, and Sophie. 

It doesn't get much cuter than a teddy bear-inspired nickname, which is why we love Teddy, short for Theodore. Originating from Greece, Theodore means "gift from God," and its popularity in the U.S. has skyrocketed within the past 15 years. Some parents express concern that the nickname Teddy could be too cute and might not grow with a child through adulthood. But former president Teddy Roosevelt proves that the beloved childhood name can be ageless, and those who bear it (no pun intended) can achieve great things.

Birdie began as a nickname for Elizabeth and became so popular that some modern parents are opting to use it as a standalone name. Paired with Elizabeth, it brings together both formal and sentimental. What's more, Elizabeth is a timeless name shared by former British monarchs, and ranks among the popular girls' names from the '80s that are coming back in style. And for parents who might think Birdie is too cute, there are a plethora of other nickname options (Bet, Betty, Betsy, Beth, Bee, Liz, Lizzie, and Liza).

How cute is the nickname Gus? (I can't be the only one whose brain immediately pans to the chubby, adorable mouse from "Cinderella," right?) Linked with formal names like Augustus, August, or Gustav, Gus carries the meaning "majestic" or "great." While many modern parents praise the nickname Gus, some who aren't so keen prefer Augie instead. Augustus and August have both been climbing in popularity since 2010.

We love the combination of Charlotte and Charlie – an elegant, feminine name with an ambiguous nickname. Currently ranked the second most popular girls' name in the United States, Charlotte is a derivative of Charles, which means "free man." Perhaps the most notable modern Charlotte is the Princess of Wales, whose name is a nod to her grandfather, King Charles III (honoring relatives and lineage is an important part of the British royals' naming protocol). As for Charlie — we see it as a delightful nickname a baby girl can keep with her for the long haul.

Benjamin, the Hebrew name meaning "son of the south" and the name of one of America's founding fathers (Benjamin Franklin), rose to popularity in the late 1970s and has been popular ever since. We love its short version, "Ben," which rolls off the tongue with just a single syllable. And as a Reddit user pointed out at r/namenerds, in some languages (like Latin), "ben" translates to good or better. "I've always loved names and nicknames that include Ben for this reason."

A common symbol for good luck, Penny makes the perfect nickname for parents who consider their daughters an auspicious blessing. The formal name Penelope originates from Greece and means  "weaver of threads." Penelope appears in "The Odyssey" as the wife of Odysseus, the epic hero. It surged in popularity in the U.S. in 2017 and has remained steady ever since. Other nicknames for Penelope include Pen, Nell, Nellie, Polly, and Poppy.

One of our favorite baby names inspired by the ocean, Caspian (like the Caspian Sea) invokes the vision of a royal prince for parents who've read "The Chronicles of Narnia." Caspian is currently on the rise in the U.S., and its shortened version, Cas, is yet another one-syllable name we can't get enough of. Parents across Reddit show love for the name often, with one user noting, "I have a Caspian! It really fits him, I'm so glad I went for it."

Eleanor hit a high in the U.S. that stretched until 1920, making it a strong contender for a comeback before the current decade ends (based on the 100-year rule). The strong girls' name has been popular through the 20th and 21st centuries, and perhaps the best thing it's got going for it is the abundance of nicknames. Our personal favorite is Nell, but for parents who aren't sold on the nickname, there are plenty of other options (Elle, Ella, Ellie, Nellie, and Nora).