classic names with quirky nicknames?

[AmberGuide]

Recently realized that I quite like classic names that have quirky nicknames, and was wondering if anyone could think of any. Things like these:

Boys

1. Laurence "Laurie" -> not too unexpected, but still kind of quirky I'd say?
2. Christopher "Kit"
3. Robert "Robin"
4. James "Jem"
5. Nicholas "Nico"

Girls

1. Marjorie "Romy" -> love!
2. Ophelia "Effie"
3. Elizabeth "Birdie"
4. Charlotte "Lola"

I have more trouble with this sort of thing for girls, because it seems most girls nicknames are quite quirky in their own right. Just wanted to see if anyone had any suggestions for either gender because I'm finding myself liking these types of diminutives quite a bit :)

None of these are particularly quirky at all if I’m honest. Romy for example is an MN favourite and really climbing in popularity everywhere at the minute. It feels like every other baby girl is a Romy!

Beatrice “ Trixie “.

I mostly just meant nicknames that aren't obvious if you know what I mean. Like Romy isn't an unusual name by any standard, but it's more of an unusual diminutive from very classic old-school Marjorie than say, Margie. Same with Christopher/Kit - very common, but a little more roundabout than Chris.

regarding original post - nicknames as opposed to Chris, Rob, Jamie, Nick, Margie, Liz/Betty, Charlie, etc

Topher is a quirky nickname for Christopher.
Xander for Alexander (Sandy is also a diminutive that’s less common than Alex)
Lexi for Alexandra
Ella for Gabriella, rather than Gaby

Beldie for a girl, from the name Isabelle.

Margaret - Greta, Meg, Peggy, Daisy, Pearl
Elizabeth - Libby, Liza, Ellie, Bess, Bessie, Bizzy, Zaza, Lili, Bitsy, Buffy, Effie, Izzy
Josephine - Peppa, Fifi, Phina, Fin, Posie, Effie, Sephy
Penelope - Nell, Nellie
Juliet - Jett, Jude, Jules, Etta
Adelaide - Lady
Violet - Lettie
Bridget - Birdie, Gidget
Amelia - Millie, Lia
Clementine - Tiny, Cleo
Caroline - Caro, Lindy
Dorothy - Dolly, Dodie
Victoria - Rory, Ria, Vita
Catherine / Katherine - Kit, Kitty
Julia - Lulu, Jude
Natalia - Tally
Amber - Bambi
Mary - Mamie, Mimi, Molly, Polly

James - Jem
Philip - Pip, Lip
William - Wim

I've always liked Euphemia (Effie). Definitely a contender had we had a girl!

I chose a quirky shortening for my DS-'s name. The moment he was old enough, he refused to answer to it, and took one of the completely mainstream shortenings. And quite right too-I have no idea what I was thinking!

Sounds like your DS is wise beyond his years!!

But I’ve never come across ‘Effie’ for Ophelia, for example — Effie is traditionally Euphemia. Likewise I’ve never heard Lola for Charlotte, only Dolores/Lolita etc . Charlotte is traditionally Lottie, Lotta, Char, Charlie. Likewise Romy for Marjorie.

Bridget - Bridie
Catherine - Cat
Louisa - Lulu
Elizabeth - Betsy
Dorothy - Dorit
Henry - Harry
John - Jock
Barry - Baz
Philip - Pip
James - Jimbo

Isaac - (Sp)Ike
Timothy - Moth(y)

Romana - Marnie
Caroline - Callie
Persephone - Sephy
Imogen - Genny
Amelia - Amie, Mia, Milly
Marissa - Marcie
Marceline - Marcie / Macy
Maxine - Macy
Harriet - Hallie
Rosemary - Romy
Isadora- Dory
Anne - Nancy
Natalie - Tilly
Tallulah - Tilly
Virginia - Ginny
Genevieve / Georgina - Ginny
Penelope - Polly
Helena - Lena

I know an Alexander who's known by the Russian diminutive Sasha.

Jennifer/ Jenny nn Wren.

Marguerite - Daisy.
Elizabeth/ Victoria - Queenie

These are all a bit try-hard, though.

@goldenretrievermum5 "Sounds like your DS is wise beyond his years!!"

He still is. He's 23 now, and I sometimes try the shortening still. He gives me a look and says "It's not your birthday....."

If the classic names nickname is a common actual name like Lola why not just call them that.
A relative gave her daughter a long formal name at registration with no intention of ever calling her that and has now changed by deedpoll to the shortened version she has always been known as to avoid weirdness and confusion on school registers etc.

Alexander - Sasha

Genevieve- Vivi
Tiffany - Tiggy
Ethel - Ettie
Elizabeth - Liv, Betsy
Araminta - Minty, Minnie
Willamena - Billy
Margaret - Molly

Laura - Lolly
Wilhemina - Minnie

I don’t really like quirky names at all but I do know a kid called Allegra and everyone calls her Tiggy. I do like that.

Caroline - Callie

Sarah - Sadie (not actually any shorter but a recognised alternative)

Alexander Sandy/ Lex/ Al
joseph Zeph
Harrison Sonny/ Hal
Edward Ted/ teddy
theodore Ted/ teddy
wilfred wilf/ freddie
francis frankie
jacob coby
frederick eric
james jimmy
albert bertie
reginald rex
magnus max
isaac zach
robert bobby

elizabeth betsy
margaret daisy/ pearl
harriet Hallie/ etta
Tallulah Lulu/ tali
sophia fifi
Rosemary romy
matilda mia/ mattie
Elodie edie
eleanor Nellie/ nora
cordelia coco/ cora
josephine posie
henrietta etta
catherine kitty
caroline callie
imogen ginny
beatrix trixie
Miriam Mimi