One Syllable Names for Girls

A bright, stylish name with a modern feel, Ziah may well be an alternative spelling of Hebrew Ziya meaning "splendor" or "light", though it may equally be a short form of Keziah, Azariah or Aziah. 

Ziah

A glitzy modern word name or a creative respelling of Jules.

Jewels

If Sam can make it as a girl's name, why not Max? Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg's eldest daughter Maxima goes by Max, but you could also use it as a short form for Maxine, Maximilienne or even Margaux.

Wrenn is a delicate feminine name derived from the Old English word for the small songbird species. Nature-inspired and evocative, Wrenn carries connotations of freedom, lightness, and sweet melody. While traditionally used as a surname, it has gained modest popularity as a first name in recent decades, particularly among parents seeking nature-themed names with an English heritage feel. The distinctive double 'n' ending gives the name a contemporary spelling while maintaining its connection to the bird. Wrenn remains uncommon enough to be distinctive while fitting alongside popular nature names like Wren (the more common single-n spelling), Robin, and Lark. Its short, single-syllable structure makes it appealing for those seeking simplicity with character.

Wrenn

Aly is a feminine name with several origins. As a variant of Allie or Ali, it serves as a diminutive of names like Alison, Alexandra, or Alice. In Arabic contexts, Aly (also spelled Ali) means 'elevated' or 'high.' The name has gained popularity as a standalone name in recent decades, appreciated for its brief, modern sound while maintaining a feminine quality. In Western countries, Aly is often chosen for its simplicity and contemporary feel. The spelling with a 'y' gives it a distinctive touch compared to the more traditional 'Ali' spelling. As a short, two-syllable name, Aly balances being recognizable yet not overly common.

Possibly created by blending a love for K initials and an interest in designer baby names (Dior), Kior is a modern invention, first appearing in the US charts in 2017. Used for girls and boys, it might also take inspiration from the likes of Kiara, Kora, Korey, Kyaire, and Kyzer, or perhaps Lior or Malchior.
 
Alternatively, it may be a variation of Ka'oir, the name of Jamaican entrepreneur, Keyshia Ka'oir Davis, and her daughter with rapper Gucci Mane, Iceland Ka'oir. 
 
Given to 46 girls and 64 boys in 2024, its meanings could include "golden" (from Dior), "maiden" (from Kora), "light" (from Lior), and "king of light" (from Melchior).

Kior

Short and slight, with great potential now that names like Ava, Ida and Orla are popular.
Ora Beach is a tourist destination on Seram Island, Indonesia.

It's a futuristic name in Solaris, but it is also related to Rhea, the name of Zeus's mother and wife of Cronus.

Rheya

Zyah is a modern feminine name with an exotic flair, possibly derived from the Arabic name Ziya, meaning 'light' or 'splendor.' The distinctive 'Z' beginning and 'ah' ending create a melodious sound that feels both contemporary and timeless. Some may view it as a unique variation of names like Ziah or Zia, or as a creative spelling of Zaya. The name has gained some popularity in recent years as parents seek names that are distinctive yet relatively easy to pronounce. Zyah's cross-cultural appeal makes it versatile across different backgrounds, while its uncommon status ensures individuality. The name's bright sound and potential meaning connecting to light give it a positive, radiant quality that many parents find appealing for their daughters.

Zyah

More commonly seen here as Anya, this traditional yet unique Irish name belonged to the queen of the Munster fairies and is sprinkled throughout Irish folklore as an early Celtic goddess of summer and prosperity. One of the most <a href="https://nameberry.com/popular-names">popular baby names</a> in Ireland, Aine's spelling and pronunciation might seem simple but could prove confusing in the U.S.
 When the British cracked down on authentic Irish names in the seventeenth century, Aine was "translated" as Ann. Now, the original Aine or Anya is one of the prime <a href="https://nameberry.com/list/433/goddess-baby-names">goddess names</a> for baby girls.

Aine

Evy is a charming feminine name that serves as a diminutive form of names like Eva, Eve, or Evelyn. With Scandinavian and English roots, this sweet, concise name embodies a delicate balance between classic and contemporary styles. Its pronunciation (EH-vee) flows easily, giving it a light, melodic quality. Though relatively uncommon as a standalone name, Evy has gained modest popularity as parents increasingly seek short, distinctive names with traditional connections. The name conveys a sense of brightness and liveliness, with the 'Ev' element in many languages relating to concepts of life and vivacity. In recent years, Evy has enjoyed increased usage alongside similar streamlined feminine names.

Now that Faye is back on the Top 1000 after a decades-long absence, its spelling variations are being revived as well. Fae was given to nearly as many baby girls last year as Fay and may be especially attractive as a middle name option.

Fay, also spelled Faye, who had been napping quietly since the 1930's, has, like cousins May/Mae and Ray/Rae, sat up and started rubbing her eyes, ready for a mini-comeback, especially as a middle name. In 2014, Faye hopped back onto the US Top 1000, though Fay is used much more quietly as a first name.
 The original of the name, Morgan le Fay, was a powerful sorceress in the Arthurian Legends. Two prominent Fay W.'s are the British novelist Fay Weldon, and actress Fay Wray, most famous for sitting in the hand of King Kong, and there is a character named Fay in Nathanael West's The Day of the Locust. Most well-known Faye is actress Dunaway.
 Fay was most popular in the U.S. in the early decades of the twentieth century, reaching Number 202 in 1907, while Faye was Number 146 in 1934.
 Fay may also be a short form of Faith.

Kobe as a feminine name represents an interesting gender crossover, as it's more commonly associated with boys. The name gained significant recognition through basketball legend Kobe Bryant, whose name derives from the Japanese city of Kobe, known for its premium beef and port importance. For girls, Kobe offers a strong, sporty quality with international flair. The name's sound is crisp and modern, featuring just two syllables that work well cross-culturally. While still unusual for girls, Kobe represents the trend of traditionally masculine names crossing gender lines. Parents choosing Kobe for a daughter may appreciate its uniqueness while honoring athletic excellence or Japanese cultural connections.

Kobe

Less than ten percent of the babies named Rhys are girls, whereas Reese is given five times more often to girls than to boys, thanks to Ms. Witherspoon.  It's a sleek and attractive name, but one that benefits from two accepted spellings that help clarify its gender identity.

Rhys

Pronounced with two syllables, as if spelled Ilsa, Ilse is popular in The Netherlands and may rise here with cousin Elsa.

Ilse

Kay, a cigarette-smoking, nightclubbing name of the 1930's, could be ready for a comeback along with cousins May/Mae and Ray/Rae. 
 Kay has been out of sight since the mid-eighties, but was in the double digits from 1936 to 1945, attached to several glamorous actresses of the period, such as fashion plate Kay Francis, as well as Eloise author Kay Thompson.
 Kay was also once a unisex name, as in Sir Kay, in Arthurian legend one of the Knights of the Round Table.
 Bottom line: Parents in search of a fresh, more cosmopolitan alternative to Kate might consider Kay..

A charming addition to the ever-growing crop of virtue names, Soul is a warm yet mystical choice with links to spirituality, feelings, and music. While it is a bold word name, its similarity to Sol and Sal grounds it slightly. 
Given to 47 girls (and 61 boys) in a recent year, it was also chosen by content creator Sydney May Crouch named her daughter Soul in 2025, sister to Ocean.

Soul

With the first name True receiving a Kardashian dose of popularity for girls, Truth is gaining in visibility too. Though its still more popular for boys two to one, the truth is that the name works equally well for both genders -- but may inspire a lot of puns.

Truth

As a gender-neutral Chinese name, An means "peace or quiet" while as a Vietnamese name, it means "safe and secure". In Chinese, it would be said as AHN while in Vietnamese, it would be AHNG.
 
An is additionally used as a Japanese name, meaning "apricot", while in Israel. it is used as a variation of Anne and even ranks in the Top 100. 
 
Its equivalence to the English article an may make it feel slight in an English-dominant culture, though 36 girls and 25 boys were given the name in the US in a recent year.