When choosing a baby's name, pondering the initials isn't always an afterthought. Sometimes, they can become a focal point for parents who crave an initial-based nickname like A.J., J.R., or P.T. And these punchy initial names are particularly popular for boys.
"Initials have the fun, informal style of classic nicknames, but with extra energy," explains Laura Wattenberg, baby name expert and founder of BabyNameWizard. "They're not diminutives — compare the nickname T.J. to Timmy — so they grow up well."
In case you're looking for such a combo, keep a few rules in mind: "It's all about rhythm," says Wattenberg. "And one-syllable names are the key. They're hugely popular as middle names to go with a longer first name, and it can work in the other direction, too."
More from CafeMom: 30 Nicknames That Make Better First Names
To get your gears turning, here are a few two-name combos with cute initial nicknames to consider:
A.J.
Albert James — A strong, classic name with German and Latin roots.
Alexander Joel — Long first names often pair well with shorter seconds, which makes this Greek-themed combo a winner.
Ashton Jacob — Ashton, a "place name" derived from a town in England, gets a good rhythm going with this Latin middle name.
C.J.
Cameron Jett — This zippy middle name adds zing to a long Scottish first name.
Colby Jarrett — An Old Norse first name meets an English middle for a sophisticated combo.
Cole Jamison — A simple first name pairs well with this longer, more lyrical English name in the middle.
D.J.
Drew Jackson — Drew is short for Andrew, but the surname-derived Jackson gives it weight … and how cool is it to raise a baby DJ?
Dylan Julius — The l's in each name add a lyrical quality.
J.D.
Jayden Dean — Jayden, a combination of Jacob and Aidan, rose to popularity thanks to Will Smith's son; Dean provides a gentle echo.
Jasper Dax — One of the Three Wise Men had the first name, while the middle means "leader."
Jonah David — A classic biblical combo with a snappy nickname when you use the initials.
J.J.
John Junior — if you want your husband's name passed down but worry about the ensuing confusion, J.J. is the perfect way to tell them apart!
Jeremiah James — A long first name pairs well with a short, stately middle one.
J.P.
John Paul — Naming your kid after the Pope has to bode well for his future, right?
James Patrick — Patrick, named after the patron saint of Ireland, pairs well with this solid first name.
Jean Pierre — These two French names go together like peanut butter and jelly.
J.R.
James Roderick — Reality star Rosie Pope chose this name for her son; the middle name is German for "ruler."
J.T.
Justin Thomas — A masculine, Latin-derived name with the double s's adding a hint of breeziness.
M.J.
Mason James — This masculine, yet unusual, first name goes well with a more classic middle one, plus the "a" sound provides a nice echo.
P.J.
Preston Philip — The first is an English place name that you don't hear too often, the second is for an English royal — perfect for any Anglophile.
Paxton James — Paxton is hot due to Angelina Jolie, while the middle name maintains a classic streak.
P.T.
Phineas Taylor — This was beloved circus founder P.T. Barnum's full name, so your kid will have some fun-loving shoes to fill.
R.J.
Robert John — A classic male name combo with a jazzy two-initial nickname.
T.J.
Travis Jordan — This first name, French for "to cross," meshes well with this middle name which means "to flow."
Tanner Kendrick — English and Scottish surnames combine for a unique name that can be shortened to a cute nickname.
For more great baby name ideas, visit BabyNameWizard.
Images via iStock.com/ROTTSTRA
