Browsing for a baby name that is a nickname? Here’s a list of great nicknames that can stand in place of proper names for your baby son.

A growing trend for baby boy names is the use of nicknames for names. Jonathans are now just named John. Elijahs are now just called Eli.

Nicknames names can be shorter, cooler, and more modern. They’re also much appreciated when your young son is learning to spell his name.

Nicknames names can be used with contemporary and traditional names. Some names don’t need the full form anymore. Think about names like Jace (for Jason) or Theo (for Theodore). Just look at Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex ‘s baby son’s name “Archie” instead of Archer or Archibald.

To help inspire you, below is a list of nickname names for boys that you might consider writing directly on the birth certificate.

Best Baby Boy Nicknames That Would Make Awesome First Names

Abe
- short for Abrah, Abraham, Abel
Alex
- short for Alexander
Albie
- short for Albert
Alec
- short for Alexander
Alfie
- short for Alfred
Andy
- short for Andrew, Andreas, Anderson
Archie
- short for Archer, Archibald
Art
- short for Artemis, Arthur
Ash
- short for Asher, Ascher, Ashford, Ashley
Ax
- short for Axel
Barney
- short for Barnabas
Bas
- short for Basil, Bastian, Sebastian
Beau/Bo
- short for Boris, Broderick, Brody
Beck
- short for Backford, Beckham
Ben
- short for Benjamin, Benedict, Benson
Benny
- short for Benjamin, Benedict, Benson
Benji
- short for Benjamin
Bertie
- short for Albert, Bertram
Billy
- short for William
Bobby
- short for Robert
Brad
- short for Bradley, Brady
Brady
- short for Braden, Brayden

Bran
- short for Brandon
Brody
- short for Broderick, Ambrose
Bron
- short for Bronson, Lebron
Bryce
- short for Bryson
Cade
- short for Caden
Cal
- short for Calvin, Callahan
Cam
- short for Cameron
Cass
- short for Cassian, Cassius, Cason
Charlie
- short for Charles, Charleston
Chaz
- short for Charles, Charlie, Charleston
Chris
- short for Christopher
Cliff
- short for Clifton
Clay
- short for Clayton
Colt
- short for Colton
Cort
- short for Cortney, Courtney
Dash
- short for Dashiell
Dave
- short for David
Deon
- short for Gideon
Dex
- short for Dexter
Dezi
- short for Desi, Desiderio
Dom
- short for Dominic
Don
- short for Donovan

Dre
- short for Andre
Drew
- short for Andrew
Eddie
- short for Edward
Eli
- short for Elijah, Elliot
Emery
- short for Emerson
Enzo
- short for Lorenzo
Finn
- short for Finnegan, Finley
Frank
- short for Francis, Franklin
Freddie
- short for Frederick
Gabe
- short for Gabriel
Gordie
- short for Gordon
Greg
- short for Gregory, Gregorio
Grey
- short for Greyson
Gus
- short for August, Augustin, Augustine, Augustus, Angus, Gustaf, Gustave, Gustavo,
Hal
- short for Harold, Henry
Hank
- short for Henry
Harry
- short for Harold, Harrison, Henry
Hayes
- short for Hayden
Henry
- short for Henderson
Ian
- short for Christian, Gideon
Jack
- short for John, Jackson, Jaxon, Jackie
Jace
- short for Jason
Jake
- short for Jacob, Jacoby, Jacobson
Jax
- short for Jax, Jaxon
Jamie
- short for James, Jameson