Compiled by The Mom Store editorial team. Reviewed October 2026. Read how we check content in our editorial policy.
Almost every Indian child has a name the family uses and a name the school uses. The pet name usually arrives first, often from a grandparent, and it tends to come from one of four places: the real name cut short (Ishu for Ishaan, Akku for Akshay), a food (Laddoo, Chiku, Kaju), something about the baby (Golu, Chotu, Motu), or a sound that just stuck (Bunty, Pintu, Titu). The list below has all four kinds, marked for boys or girls.
Check Out the Cutest Nickname List for Your Little Munchkin
Every baby is gifted and special. Each of them deserves a special nickname, too. If you are out of options, let us present you with a mindfully made nickname list so that you can preserve the cutest name for your baby. Your required nickname list is below:
Baby nicknames from A to Z
A
- Akshu: Short for Akshay or Akshat (boys)
- Aadi: First, the beginning (boys)
- Arth: Meaning, purpose (boys)
- Appu: Little one, darling (boys)
- Adhik: More, abundant (boys)
- Arshi: Heavenly (girls)
- Alia: Noble, exalted (girls)
- Avi: Sun, air (girls)
- Avni: The earth (girls)
- Arvi: Peace, calm (girls)
- Ajju: Short for Ajay or Arjun (boys)
- Akku: Short for Akash or Akshay (boys)
- Aaloo: Potato, chubby cute one (boys)
- Arya: Noble (boys)
- Angel: Angel (girls)
- Amu: Short for Amrita or Amulya (girls)
- Ashi: Smiling (girls)
- Anu: Atom, little one (girls)
- Aaru: Short for Aarushi or Aaradhya (girls)
B
- Ballu: Playful pet name (boys)
- Babloo: Classic Hindi pet name (boys)
- Bitoo: Little one (boys)
- Bunty: Classic Hindi pet name (boys)
- Bhavi: Feelings, future (girls)
- Babu: Little one, darling (boys)
- Bunny: Little rabbit (boys)
- Babi: Little one (boys)
- Billu: Kitten like (boys)
- Bani: Speech, voice (girls)
C
- Cookie: Sweet as a cookie (boys)
- Chinu: Tiny one (boys)
- Charu: Beautiful, lovely (girls)
- Chotu: Little one (boys)
- Chintu: Tiny one (boys)
- Chiku: Sapota fruit, sweet one (boys)
- Chand: Moon (boys)
- Chhoti: Little one (girls)
- Chiki: Playful pet name (girls)
- Chinki: Cute little one (girls)
D
- Dev: God, divine (boys)
- Dolly: Like a doll (girls)
- Dipa: Lamp, light (girls)
- Dimple: Cute dimpled smile (girls)
- Duggu: Playful pet name (boys)
- Daisy: Daisy flower (girls)
G
- Gabru: Strapping young lad (boys)
- Gopu: Short for Gopal, Krishna (boys)
- Garv: Pride (boys)
- Goli: Round and chubby, like a ball (boys)
- Golu: Chubby one (boys)
- Gudoo: Sweet as jaggery (boys)
- Guddi: Little doll (girls)
- Gullu: Round and sweet (boys)
H
- Harsh: Joy (boys)
- Hari: Lord Vishnu (boys)
- Harvi: Short for Harvinder, blessed (girls)
- Honey: Sweet as honey (girls)
I
- Ishu: Short for Ishaan (boys)
- Ishi: Short for Ishika or Ishita (girls)
J
- Jitu: Short for Jitendra (boys)
- Josh: Energy, enthusiasm (boys)
- Jiya: The heart (girls)
K
- Kuku: Playful pet name (boys)
- Kanha: Little Krishna (boys)
- Kittu: Cute pet name (boys)
- Kani: Little one (girls)
- Kaju: Cashew, cute one (boys)
- Kaku: Playful pet name (girls)
- Kuhu: Call of the cuckoo (girls)
L
- Lallu: Darling little one (boys)
- Laddoo: Sweet as a laddoo (boys)
M
- Monu: Sweet little one (boys)
- Munna: Little boy (boys)
- Misty: Soft and dreamy (girls)
- Mikku: Playful pet name (girls)
- Moni: Silent one, jewel (girls)
- Mia: Mine, beloved (girls)
- Motu: Chubby one (boys)
- Mahi: The earth (girls)
- Minnie: Tiny one (girls)
N
- Nannu: Little one (boys)
- Nanha: Little one (boys)
- Neel: Blue, sapphire (boys)
- Nikki: Little one, short for Nikita (girls)
- Nanhi: Little girl (girls)
- Nonu: Little one (boys)
- Nidhi: Treasure (girls)
P
- Pihu: Sweet call of a peacock (girls)
- Piku: Little one (girls)
- Pari: Fairy, angel (girls)
- Pia: Beloved (girls)
- Pintu: Classic Hindi pet name (boys)
- Princess: Princess (girls)
R
- Rosy: Like a rose (girls)
- Ruby: Precious red gem (girls)
- Romy: Playful pet name (boys)
- Ruhi: Soul (girls)
- Rinky: Playful pet name (girls)
- Riya: Singer, graceful (girls)
S
- Shaan: Pride, glory (boys)
- Sunny: Sunshine (boys)
- Shubh: Auspicious (boys)
- Sweety: Sweet one (girls)
- Shorty: Little one (girls)
- Sumi: Short for Sumitra or Suman (girls)
- Sonu: Golden, sweet one (boys)
T
- Teddy: Cuddly teddy bear (boys)
- Tia: Princess (girls)
- Tanu: Slender, delicate (girls)
- Titu: Playful pet name (boys)
- Tara: Star (girls)
- Tina: Little one (girls)
V
- Vishu: Short for Vishnu or Vishal (boys)
- Veer: Brave (boys)
- Veda: Knowledge, the Vedas (girls)
Y
- Yakshi: Celestial being (girls)
- Yashi: Fame (girls)
- Yuvi: Short for Yuvika (girls)
Z
- Zara: Princess (girls)
- Ziya: Light, glow (girls)
A few things worth knowing
- The nickname often outlives babyhood. Golu is sweet at six months and less so at sixteen. If that worries you, a shortened form of the real name ages better.
- Older children choose too. Many toddlers rename a younger sibling, and that name is the one that sticks.
- Keep it off the forms. The pet name stays at home. Use the full name on the birth certificate, Aadhaar and school records.
Common questions
What are some cute nicknames for a baby girl?
Pari, Pihu, Kuhu, Guddi, Honey and Ruhi are sweet, easy pet names for a baby girl.
What can I call my baby boy at home?
Classic Hindi pet names like Munna, Chotu, Golu and Babu are family favourites, while Veer, Kanha and Shaan suit parents who want a nickname with a meaning.
What is a good nickname for a baby?
One that is short, easy to say while cuddling, and still sounds sweet when your child is older. Many families shorten the real name, so Ishaan becomes Ishu and Aarushi becomes Aaru.
How many nicknames are in this list?
120 cute baby nicknames for boys and girls, each with a short note on what it means.
When should we choose a nickname for our baby?
Most nicknames choose themselves in the first few weeks. Try a few, notice which one the family keeps using, and let that one stick.
Can a nickname be completely different from the official name?
Yes. The official name goes on the birth certificate, while a nickname is just for home and family, so it can be anything that feels loving.
How we put this list together
These are pet names in common use in Indian homes, with a short note on what each one means or where it comes from. If a favourite is missing, tell us through the contact page.
Still choosing the full name? See Hindu baby boy names and Hindu baby girl names.
