In the 1800s, girls' names had one very desirable feature—a cutey-pie nickname that often ended in -ie or -y, the sound we associate with friendliness and affection. A few Victorian-era short forms and nicknames are becoming popular once again, in the vein of Sadie and Millie, proving that there is nothing new under the sun. But American pioneers were not shy about putting a nickname on the birth certificate, whereas today we're concerned with giving our child options by using a longer name that works on an adult in more formal situations. (Parents in the UK don't have that concern right now either.)
Here are some Victorian nicknames that, in today's naming landscape, have nearly been left in a cloud of dust. They rate high on over-the-top darling, carving out a niche for parents who love everything boldly quaint.
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Aggie: This pet name, often derived from Agatha and Agnes, gets extra points in Texas. Because Aggie is also a common word for fans and alumni of agricultural schools (most notably Texas A&M), Aggie may carry a certain amount of school spirit. Even though Agatha and Agnes are nowhere to be found on today's charts, they have a long history and a classic feel, and Aggie is a charming nickname that reminds us of Abby. Namipedia also shows Aggie as a nickname option for Augustina.
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Birdie: Yes, you can "put a bird on it"when it comes to names, as many parents did in the 1800s, often without a formal given name. Birdie is the epitome of cheerful and carefree, and it would make a perfect name for a singer or musician. It did, infact, in the case of British singer-songwriter Birdy, who got her nickname when her parents saw how she opened her mouth "like a little bird."Birdie is a pet form for a variety of names, most commonly Bertha, but including Betty, Bernice, and Bernadine as well. Actress Busy Phillips named her daughter Birdie in a tribute to Lady Bird Johnson.
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Clemmie: As the pet form of Clementine (or Clement, Clemence, and even Clemency), this is a distinct name with a bit of southern charm. We love its crisp beginning, similar to favorites like Clara and Chloe, but some may have a hard time with the "lemmie"portion of the name. Seeing as how Clement is a common surname, and this is a celebrity favorite, it's not out of the question for Clementines to rise in popularity, with the nickname Clemmie a sweet and natural short form.
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Effie: Everyone knows Effie today as the elaborately fashionable and reluctant rebel from The Hunger Games series. The character's stylings made Effie Trinket one of the top Halloween costumes for those who like to go big in the makeup/hair/wardrobe department, giving us the unshakeable impression that Effie is no longer a name for shy types. The names Euphemia or Hephzibah are far from favored today, though Effie could be used as a pet form of Josephine or Stephanie.
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Eppie: It's no wonder we haven't seen this name in a while, as it's another pet form of Euphemia or Hephzibah, both of which died out by the early 1900s. What makes matters worse is the resemblance to the EpiPen, a medical treatment for anaphylaxis, as well as possible confusion with Abby. But does this mean that Eppie is doomed? Not necessarily. She's a spirited, beloved little girl in the classic Silas Marner, and used in a Scottish ballad by the name of Eppie Morrie. Eppie may be bold but it's not without some charm. Other names that could lead to an Eppie are Elspeth, Eponine, Pepper, or September.
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Florrie: Coming from the neglected classics Florence and Flora, Florrie is a beautiful pet form that still holds on to the the floral statement the original names make. It's similar in sound to Lori and Tori, making it a bit familiar but still altogether different. Those are just a few reasons we prefer Florrie over Flo and Flossie. That being said, Florrie has lots of potential to stand on its own.
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Hattie: Hop across the pond, and you are much more likely to find girls with this adorable nickname. Most often short for Harriet and Henrietta, Hattie is right on trend with today's old-fashioned favorites like Addie and Maddie. In the 1800s, parents were wild about this once top-30 name, which was more fashionable than Harriet was as a given name. Today, Hattie may not be as popular as Harriet in the UK, but it's not doing too badly there, ranked at 284.
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Lettie: This sweet Victorian-era name once came from the related names Laetitia, Letitia, and Lettice. But today, we're bringing it back as a nickname for a mix of vintage and literary favorites like Charlotte, Juliet, Scarlett, and Violet. You may not find Lettie in the top 1,000, but as a pet form for some quite popular choices, it's an under-the-radar hit.
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Mamie: Primarily short for Mary or Margaret, Mamie became a star on its own in the late 1800s. Case in point: The most famous Mamie to date, First Lady Mamie Eisenhower, whose given name was Mamie Geneva. Today our favorite Mamie happens to be the talented actress Mamie (Mary) Gummer, daughter of Meryl Streep. And while Mamie may be a rare choice for a given name, we think this pet name has potential. You won't find this name in French-speaking countries, though, as it's a pet name for grandmother in French.
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Minnie: In 1880, it was hard to beat the red-hot name Minnie, a top five choice that was uber-stylish. Fast forward a few decades and the famed icon Minnie Mouse (short for Minerva) made her mark on this name, a legacy that continued to thrive long after the sounds of her name became passé. Minnie has its roots in Wilhelmina, a classic choicefeaturing abundant nicknames. It's proof that parents of the past weren't afraid to think small when it comes to names. Today, the sound-alike abbreviation for miniature reminds us of skirts, golf, or technology. That's a fairly big barrier, and along with the countrified character Minnie Pearl, Minnie may always feel like a name of the past. That's great if you're into statement-making Victoriana. Not so great if you can't get past the Disney superstar, ipads, or flower-donned straw hats with a price tag dangling over the side.
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Nettie: A darling of the 1880s, Nettie was much more popular as an independent given name than any of its relatives, including Annette, Henrietta, and Jeanette. This name may bring to mind two wildly different namesakes; Celie's sister in The Color Purple, and reality star of TLC's Gypsy Sisters, Nettie Stanley. Neither one is very iconic, making Nettie's only true distinction its pioneer-era charm.
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Polly: An upbeat, fresh take on Molly, Polly is an old-fashioned choice that's once again found more success in the UK. It's not too big of a mystery as to why more Americans aren't on board with this sweet name. The sad truth is that it's just not long and formal enough. If that's holding you back, Polly is an independent name, but it could work as a pet form for Paulina and other feminine forms of Paul (or, there's always Apollonia). The name has loads of namesakes and associations, including a character in the Netflix dramedy Orange is the New Black.
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Posy: If you're looking for a name that's darling, old-fashioned, and a little bit floral, look no further. Posy is a sugary sweet pet form of Josephine, and it's a word for a small bouquet as well. She's a Hunger Games character (Gale's sister), and the name Posie was used for a character in TV's Charmed. On a scale of one to adorable, this name is off the charts.
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Tillie: We aren't exactly strangers with Tillie today, as it comes from a lovely pioneer-revival name, Matilda (it's also short for Ottilie). One clear difference, though, is that we expect Tillie to grow out of her pet name someday, and to put her full name down on that resumé. When it comes to Matilda, Mattie is often the nickname of choice, but Tillie is a fresh way to shorten it.
Which of these Victorian names is your favorite?
For more great baby name ideas, visit Baby Name Wizard.
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