Hipster one syllable names

A melodic choice for lullaby-lovers. Brahms might also make a trendy s-ending nickname for Abraham.

Brisk, preppy York is an underused classic with the potential to really shine in the 21st century. It's most familiar as a place name — York is a city in England — and surname. New York City and State were named after the Duke of York.

This distinguished surname belonged to one of Ireland's great princely families. Its many variations include Rourke (as in actor Mickey), and O'Rourke. The family surname is thought to be one of the oldest in the world, originating in the tenth century, following the death of a young prince named Ruarc. It has literary cred via Howard Roark, the protagonist of Ayn Rand's The Fountainhead.

Although she declared her independence as far back as the reign of Elizabeth I — Good Queen Bess, Bess now sounds less passé than Beth or Betsy.

Brisk but rather brittle. Britt Eklund was a Bond Girl in the 1974 The Man with the Golden Gun. Britt is a contracted form of Birgit, but be aware that it does come with the strong possibility of being confused with Bret/Brett—or as a shortening of Brittany.

Tyde is a rare masculine name with oceanic associations, evoking images of the rising and falling of sea levels. This short, powerful name likely derives from the English word 'tide,' representing the natural rhythm of water and suggesting qualities of strength, constancy, and natural force. Though uncommon throughout recorded naming history, Tyde fits with contemporary trends toward brief, nature-inspired names with strong sounds. Its similarity to common names like Tyler or Ty makes it accessible while remaining distinctive. The name may appeal to parents with connections to coastal regions or those seeking a name symbolizing natural power and resilience. Its rarity gives bearers a unique identity with meaningful natural symbolism.

Jos is a compact masculine name with diverse international roots. It can function as a shortened form of Joseph (Hebrew for 'God will add') or Joshua (Hebrew for 'God is salvation'), giving it biblical connections. In Dutch and Finnish contexts, Jos stands as an independent name rather than just a nickname. The single-syllable structure gives Jos a straightforward, minimalist quality that works well across language barriers. While uncommon in English-speaking countries as a full name, it has greater prevalence in European nations, particularly in the Netherlands and Belgium. The brevity of Jos makes it practical and unpretentious, appealing to parents seeking simple yet meaningful names. Its international usage provides cultural versatility while maintaining ease of pronunciation across different languages.

One of the more unusual mythology names for girls, Neith is the name of the Egyptian goddess of home and femininity.

Also spelled Fyfe, this zippy sounding name would make a great middle name choice for music lovers or those with Scottish roots. The name has a double meaning: it is both a Scottish place name, likely derived from fiamh meaning "path", and also the name of an instrument, which takes its name from the German Pfeife and the French fifre meaning "pipe".

Axe, spelled like this, is used for a handful of baby boys in the US each year. You can see it as one of the new weapon names, along with Dagger and Beretta, or as an abbreviation of the very popular Axel.

Aspen's sibling.

This may be a bit quirky to make it as a name, especially in first place. If you love it, you might try it in the middle.

Fierce meaning, gentle image. This name is very common in Israel, where an endearing pet form is Dubi.

Obsolete Swanhild gives way to oh-so-modern Swan, joining the flock of newly fashionable bird names such as Wren and Lark. In France, the Swann spelling is fashionable for both sexes. But Swan carries an image of grace, though perhaps also a bit of languor. It's a lovely and original name, right for our times.

Bale is a masculine name with multiple potential origins. It may derive from Old English where it referred to a rounded bundle or package, or from Welsh origins where it relates to a hillside or incline. The name has gained some recognition through association with notable figures like actor Christian Bale. Its simple, strong structure with one syllable gives it a bold, straightforward quality. In some Nordic traditions, similar names have connections to bravery or strength. While never extremely common as a first name, Bale has seen occasional usage across English-speaking countries. The name's brevity and strong consonant sounds contribute to its masculine feel, making it attractive to parents seeking something short, distinctive, and impactful.

Until recently Ward was, like Wally, a Cleaver name, but today's parents are seeing it as a cooler nickname for Edward than Eddie, and are also beginning to use it on its own.

Paz is an appealing Spanish name meaning "peace", derived from the Latin "pax". It's usually feminine in Spanish, but could also make an interesting literary choice for a boy, honoring the writer Octavio Paz.

One part nature name, one part surname name. Oakes gives you the best of both worlds.

This is a Scandinavian variant of Margaret, and is pronounced MEH-teh or MET, rhyming with jet.