One Syllable Names for Boys

This short form stands alone in its native Netherlands.

Tijn

An attractive and popular choice in the Netherlands, but not one we see making it to the Top 50 in the US anytime soon.

Siem

Diminutive of Matthijs, the Dutch form of Matthew.

Ties

Guus

Gerard, Gerry, and Jerry may be so far out they may never come back in the U.S., but Jerry-equivalent Jurre is a Top 100 name in The Netherlands.

Jurre

Niek

Originally a Frisian short form of names beginning with the element gild "sacrifice, value". It is also used as a Dutch short form of William.

Jelle

Preferable to its parent name, Arnoud, in the Netherlands.

Noud

Although it's now used mainly as an independent name in the Netherlands, Hidde began as a short form of heavy Germanic names Hildebrand and Hildebert.

Hidde

Rens is a compact masculine name of Dutch origin, functioning as a shortened form of names like Laurens (Dutch version of Lawrence) or Renatus. In Dutch usage, it's a standalone name with a clean, modern sound. The name Lawrence ultimately derives from Latin 'Laurentius,' referring to someone from Laurentum, while Renatus means 'born again' in Latin. Rens is primarily found in the Netherlands and Flemish regions of Belgium, though it remains relatively uncommon even there. Its brevity gives it contemporary appeal, fitting well with the trend toward shorter, more streamlined names. Rens combines traditional roots with a modern sensibility, offering a distinctive option that's straightforward yet not widely used.

Rens

Fedde, a Top 100 boys' name in The Netherlands, is a Frisian short form for names beginning with Frid, which means "peace."  As with many names popular in contemporary Holland, this short form stands on its own.

Fedde

Malte began as a short form of the now-obsolete Ancient Germanic name Helmold. Helmold has gone extinct, but Malte has survived and is now enjoying a popularity resurgence in Germany and Sweden.

Malte

Olaf is now heavily tied to the snowman from Frozen, but common nickname Olle has no such associations.
 
Olle is a Top 30 name in Sweden, and is occasionally heard in the Netherlands as well.

Olle

A great choice for a native Swedish speaker, but not as user-friendly as some of the other international short forms of William — Pim (Dutch), Gwil (Welsh), and of course, Liam (Irish).

Ville

Loke is a modern variant of Loki, the name of a Norse mythological figure. Loke is a Top 100 name in Sweden.

Loke

Popular in Sweden — Ziggy would be English cognate.

Sigge

A jaunty, traditional name in Sweden's Top 100. Famous bearers include actor Svante Thunberg (Greta's father) and the father of physical chemistry Svante August Arrhenius.

The name Svante is short for Svantepolk, the name of a Slavic nobleman who settled in Sweden in the 14th century.

Svante

This scary word name was given to five baby boys in the US in 2013, entering the lexicon for the first time.  Are the boys named Vice destined for a life of crime, or the creation of a media empire?

Vice

Maes is the third most common surname in Belgium, but a few Nameberries have chosen to use this as a first name for their little boys. We think it is a great name and put it to you for consideration!

Maes

While Ivy Blue has made the color a more popular choice for girls, Blues — as in the musical style — could feel more masculine. While some may find it a sad and gloomy choice, thanks to the phrase "having the blues", the musical connection gives it greater potential. It could make for a laid-back name that oozes cool and works as an alternative for those wanting to avoid more obvious choices like Indigo or Hendrix.
 
 In August 2024, Justin and Hailey Bieber announced the birth of their son, Jack Blues Bieber, which could draw people's attention to the name in coming years.