One Syllable Names for Boys

Moab is a Biblical name and an ancient place name. In the Old Testament, Moab was the son of Lot. The Kingdom of Moab, in modern-day Jordan, was Biblically significant for often being in conflict with Israel.

Rice is really stretching the nature name boundary to its outer edges. But you may want to take it that far.

A unisex Chinese and Vietnamese with an appealingly simple, vowel-rich spelling.

A sleek nickname name more attractive than its longer form, there have been a couple of prominent baseball player Cletes as well as the broadcast journalist Clete Roberts.

The kind of name last found in northern Wisconsin in the 1950s, and even then it was probably a nickname for Delbert.

This phonetic spelling of the Kardashian baby name Dream surprised many by being one of the fastest-rising girl names of 2022. Both Dream and Jream were still only given to under 100 boys the same year.

Ran is a concise masculine name with multicultural origins. In Japanese, it can mean 'orchid' or 'water lily,' symbolizing elegance and purity. In Hebrew, Ran means 'song' or 'joy,' conveying a sense of happiness and celebration. In Old Norse mythology, Ran was a sea goddess who collected the drowned in her net, giving the name a connection to ancient traditions. In Chinese, depending on the character used, it can mean 'to burn' or 'to kindle.' This short, punchy name has remained relatively uncommon in Western countries but has gained some popularity in Israel and parts of Asia. Its brevity makes it easy to pronounce across languages, adding to its international appeal.

A common Vietnamese name heard evenly for boys and girls in the U.S. Sounds like tahn or tong, depending on what part of Vietnam you come from.

With Cade and Kade creeping back up the charts and Cayden, Kaden, and co. remaining popular, this alternative spelling of the the old English surname is given to around 165 boys each year. Used for a supporting character in the video game series, Bungie's Destiny, there is a small chance it may be pronounced KAY-dee (like Kayce might be KAY-cee).

Voss is a German name, that is seen in Norway and Australia (in the former it is associated with a region, in the latter it is associated with the protagonist of Patrick White's novel by the same name). Voss is an interesting alternative to Fox.

Cos is a short, distinctive masculine name with several possible origins. It may derive from the Greek island of Kos, from the Greek word "kosmos" meaning order or harmony, or as a short form of names like Cosimo or Cosmas. The latter comes from the Greek "kosmos" and was popularized by an early Christian saint. Cos could also be an Irish/Gaelic shortened form of names beginning with "Cos." As a standalone name, Cos remains uncommon internationally but offers a concise, strong sound. Its brevity makes it practical across multiple languages, while its various cultural connections give it depth despite its simplicity.

This might be a better choice than the similarly pronounced Jan, to avoid gender confusion.

Meo is a masculine name with multiple cultural origins. In Italian, it serves as a diminutive of Bartolomeo (Bartholomew) or Romeo, conveying affection through its brevity. In Vietnamese culture, Meo can appear as a family name. The name also exists in Japanese usage with various possible meanings depending on the kanji characters used. Compact and easy to pronounce across languages, Meo has a contemporary feel despite its traditional roots. With just three letters, it exemplifies the modern preference for shorter, distinctive names for boys. While uncommon in English-speaking countries, its international versatility, simple pronunciation, and friendly sound make it an intriguing option for parents seeking a brief but meaningful name with cross-cultural appeal.

Rayne may be considered a modern respelling of the nature name Rain or a variation of the surname Raine, which comes from the Old French word reine, meaning "queen."

Phyfe is an uncommon masculine name with Scottish origins. It likely developed as a surname before transitioning to first-name usage, possibly derived from the region of Fife in Scotland. The name gained some recognition through Duncan Phyfe, a celebrated 19th-century American furniture designer of Scottish descent. As a first name, Phyfe remains exceptionally rare, appealing to parents seeking truly distinctive options. The unusual 'ph' and 'y' combination creates a sophisticated visual appeal, while its single-syllable pronunciation makes it straightforward. Phyfe projects an image of refinement and artistic sensibility, reflecting its historical associations with craftsmanship.

Francke is a masculine name of Germanic origin, functioning as a variant spelling of Frank or Franke. The name derives from the ethnic designation of the Franks, a Germanic tribe that conquered Gaul (modern France) in the Early Middle Ages. The word 'frank' originally meant 'free man' or 'free one' in Old German. This alternative spelling gives the traditional name a distinctive, slightly more formal appearance while maintaining its strong historical connections. Francke is quite uncommon in English-speaking countries but may be found more frequently in Germanic regions. The name carries connotations of honesty and straightforwardness, as reflected in the English adjective 'frank.' Its rarity makes it an intriguing choice for parents seeking a name with traditional roots but an uncommon presentation.

Crist is a compact masculine name with deep religious and historical roots. It's a shortened form of Christ or Cristo, ultimately derived from the Greek 'Christos' meaning 'anointed one.' While uncommon as a first name in English-speaking countries, it has been used historically in various European regions, particularly those with strong Christian traditions. In some contexts, it may also be a variant spelling of the surname Christ. The name carries strong religious associations due to its connection to Jesus Christ in Christian tradition. As a given name, Crist has remained rare, likely due to its sacred associations in many cultures, though it occasionally appears in communities with strong religious identities.

A modern name likely inspired by the Latin phrase carpe diem meaning "seize the day".

Not a viable option if your baby is going to speak English.