200 adorable nicknames for girls, from Pari to Mishti

Choosing one that lasts

A pet name gets used more than the official one — by grandparents, by cousins, and by the child herself when she is learning to speak. Which is why the two rules are: easy for a small mouth to say, and comfortable on an adult woman.

Most Indian pet names are two syllables with a soft repeated sound, which is exactly what a toddler can manage. That is not an accident.

The one category to avoid is the same as for boys: nicknames about complexion, weight or size. Kaali, Motu, Gori and their relatives are meant affectionately at home and land very differently at school — and in a country with a fairness obsession, complexion nicknames do lasting damage.

The classic Indian pet names

The ones everyone recognises: Pari (fairy), Guddi (doll), Gudiya (doll), Munni (little girl), Chhoti (little one), Nanhi (tiny), Sonu (golden), Chinni, Rani (queen), Pinky, Rinku, Tinku, Titli (butterfly), Bulbul (songbird), Chikki, Mithu, Meethi (sweet), Golu, Bittu, Bunny, Nikki, Dolly, Pihu, Chintu, Chunnu.

Sweet and slightly old-fashioned, and back in fashion: Shona (gold), Mishti (sweet, Bengali), Laddoo, Barfi, Cheeni (sugar), Mishri (sugar crystal), Malai (cream), Toffee, Candy, Honey, Cherry, Peaches, Muffin, Cupcake, Jalebi.

Short modern ones that work at every age: Aashi, Aanu, Ira, Isha, Kiki, Mia, Miya, Myra, Nia, Nyra, Riya, Ruhi, Saira, Sia, Tia, Vaani, Zara, Zoya, Anu, Aru, Divi, Ishu, Jiya, Kavi, Navi.

Regional favourites

North India: Guddi, Munni, Pari, Chhoti, Nanhi, Bitiya (daughter), Laado (beloved daughter), Gudiya, Pinky, Rani, Chunni, Titli, Chhoti Rani, Bebo, Golu.

Bengal and the east: Mishti (sweet), Tuli, Rai, Buri, Tuktuki, Piu, Mou (honey), Rimi, Jhumur, Tia, Bubli, Khuku (little girl), Sona, Munia, Puchki.

Maharashtra and the west: Tai (elder sister, used affectionately), Bai, Sanu, Chinu, Manu, Pillu, Gudi, Sonu, Aai's Chimu, Ketki, Mau, Pari, Aaru, Sai, Bunty.

South India: Chellam (dear one, Tamil), Kanmani (apple of the eye, Tamil), Papa (baby, Tamil), Kutty (little, Tamil and Malayalam), Ammu (Malayalam and Tamil), Kunju (little one, Malayalam), Mol (daughter, Malayalam), Molu, Chinnu (little, Telugu), Bujji (darling, Telugu), Pappu, Putti (little one, Kannada), Chikku, Nangi, Thangam (gold, Tamil).

Nature, sky and sweetness

From nature: Titli (butterfly), Kali (flower bud), Kalyani, Phool (flower), Gulabi (rose-coloured), Champa (a flower), Juhi (jasmine), Chameli (jasmine), Kamal (lotus), Nirjhar (stream), Bulbul, Koyal (cuckoo), Maina (a bird), Hiran (deer), Meenu (fish).

From the sky and light: Tara (star), Chandni (moonlight), Chanda (moon), Roshni (light), Jyoti (flame), Nur (light), Kiran (ray), Usha (dawn), Sanjh (dusk), Barkha (rain), Megha (cloud), Saanjh, Noor, Diya (lamp), Deepa (lamp).

Warm English ones Indian families use without a second thought: Baby, Bubu, Cutie, Angel, Munchkin, Sweetie, Buttons, Bubbles, Sunshine, Poppet, Dolly, Missy, Peanut, Pumpkin, Twinkle.

Twenty that suit almost any girl

The shortlist — easy for a toddler to pronounce, dignified on an adult, and hard to turn into a playground joke.

Frequently asked questions

Q: Is it a problem if the pet name is nothing like her real name? — Not at all, and it usually is nothing like it. The two names do separate jobs.

Q: My in-laws have chosen a nickname I dislike. — Say once, early and lightly, that you would rather use something else, and then simply use your own consistently. Nicknames are decided by repetition rather than by agreement, and the one used most wins.

Q: Are complexion-based nicknames really harmful? — Yes. Gori, Kaali and their variants attach a judgement to a child's appearance before she can object, and in India they feed a fairness obsession that already causes enough damage. Choose something else.

Q: When should the school be told her pet name? — At admission, so a teacher calling the register does not get a blank look on day one. Keep the official name on every document, without variation.