One Syllable Names for Boys

  1. Zyair
    • Origin:

      Variation of Zaire, Kongo
    • Meaning:

      "the river that swallows all rivers"
    • Description:

      One of the many new spellings of Zaire that has been climbing the charts lately.
  2. Ghost
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      With word names, almost anything goes. But maybe not Ghost, unless you're naming a white dog.
  3. Zyon
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Zion, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "highest place"
    • Description:

      With its sharp Z initial and similar sound to Ryan, Zion has shot up the charts in singer Lauryn Hill used it for her son in 1997. Following on in its footsteps, spelling variant Zyon entered the Top 1000 in 2019 and was given to around 270 babies in a recent year.
  4. Saad
    • Origin:

      Aramaic
    • Meaning:

      "help, support"
    • Description:

      A traditional name in the Arabic world.
  5. Jov
    • Description:

      Jov is a masculine name with multiple possible origins. It may be a short form of Jovian or Jovan, names derived from Latin 'Jovianus,' relating to Jupiter (Jove), the Roman king of gods. Alternatively, it could be connected to the Slavic name Jovan, a variant of John, meaning 'God is gracious.' In some contexts, it might also serve as a modern, minimalist variant of Job from biblical tradition. The name's brevity gives it a contemporary feel despite its ancient connections. Jov is quite rare as a given name in most Western countries, making it distinctive and unique. Its short, punchy sound aligns with modern naming trends favoring brief, impactful names. The name carries connotations of strength and divine connection, appealing to parents seeking something uncommon yet meaningful with a contemporary sound.
  6. Jörg
    • Description:

      Jörg is a Germanic masculine name, primarily used in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It's a variation of George, which derives from the Greek 'georgos' meaning 'farmer' or 'earth-worker.' The distinctive umlaut over the 'o' gives the name its characteristic German pronunciation, roughly like 'yerg.' Jörg gained popularity in German-speaking regions during the medieval period and has maintained steady usage since then, though it's less common among younger generations today. The name carries connotations of reliability and strength in Germanic cultures. It's generally perceived as a traditional, solid name that conveys a sense of dependability and cultural heritage. Outside German-speaking countries, the name is quite rare and might present pronunciation challenges due to the umlaut, but it offers a distinctive European flair.

  7. Bret
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Brett
    • Description:

      There are 15 times as many baby boys named Brett than Bret, but this sleeker version is used and has some merits, namely, being sleeker.
  8. Brahm
    • Description:

      Brahm is a masculine name with several cultural origins and meanings. Primarily, it derives from the Sanskrit 'Brahma,' referring to the Hindu creator god, associated with knowledge and the universe. In Jewish contexts, it functions as a shortened form of Abraham, meaning 'father of multitudes.' The name also appears in Germanic and Nordic traditions, sometimes related to 'brahman' denoting spiritual knowledge or divine force. Brahm has maintained consistent but modest usage in Western countries, appealing to parents seeking a name with spiritual significance or multicultural resonance. Its short, strong sound gives it a contemporary feel despite its ancient origins. The name carries connotations of wisdom, creation, and spiritual depth across various traditions, making it a meaningful choice with cross-cultural appeal.
  9. Ernö
    • Description:

      Ernö is a masculine Hungarian name that serves as a variant of Ernest, which derives from the Germanic elements 'ernst' meaning 'serious' or 'determined' and 'vilja' meaning 'will.' Popular primarily in Hungary and among Hungarian diaspora communities, Ernö has historical significance in Hungarian culture. Notable bearers include composer Ernő Dohnányi and mathematician Ernő Rubik, inventor of the Rubik's Cube. While uncommon outside of Hungarian-speaking regions, the name carries connotations of intelligence, creativity, and determination. The distinctive diacritic mark (ő) represents a longer version of the 'o' sound in Hungarian pronunciation.
  10. Rein
    • Origin:

      Variation of Reign or Rain; English word name
    • Meaning:

      "royal authority; water falling in drops condensed from vapor in the atmosphere"
    • Description:

      Rein, along with Reign, have taken over from Rain as a trendy word name. Should you rein it in or let it rein? Okay, bad puns we know, but that's the downside of word names. This is a true unisex name, given to 15 girls and 12 boys in the US in one recent year.
  11. Ayoub
    • Description:

      Ayoub is a masculine name with Arabic origins, being the Arabic form of Job (from the Hebrew Iyyov). The name means 'returning' or 'repentant' and is associated with the biblical and Quranic prophet Job, known for his patience and faith through suffering. Ayoub is widely used throughout the Muslim world, particularly in North Africa, the Middle East, and among Muslim communities globally. The name carries strong religious significance for Muslims, as Prophet Ayoub is revered as an example of steadfastness and devotion to God despite extreme hardship. While traditional in Arabic-speaking regions, the name has become increasingly familiar in Western countries with diverse populations. Ayoub combines cultural richness with religious significance, making it a meaningful choice for parents seeking a name with deep spiritual roots and cross-cultural recognition.
  12. Kaz
    • Description:

      Kaz is a compact, modern masculine name with multicultural roots. It can function as a standalone name or as a shortened form of longer names like Kazimir (Slavic, meaning 'destroyer of peace' or 'famous proclamation'), Kazuo (Japanese, meaning 'harmonious man'), or Kazimierz (Polish variant of Casimir). The brevity of Kaz gives it a contemporary, dynamic quality that appeals to parents seeking distinctive yet accessible names. While not historically common in English-speaking countries, Kaz has gained modest traction since the 2000s. The name's international versatility makes it work well across different cultural contexts, and its strong consonant sounds provide a bold presence despite its short length.

  13. Broz
    • Description:

      Broz is a masculine name with Slavic origins, particularly common in regions like Croatia, Slovenia, and surrounding countries. It functions as both a surname and given name in these cultures. Most notably, it was the family name of Josip Broz Tito, the former Yugoslav leader. As a first name, Broz has a strong, concise quality with its single syllable and distinctive consonant combination. The name carries connotations of resilience and strength within its cultural context. While rare globally as a given name, it represents a direct connection to South Slavic heritage and tradition. Its brevity and unusual sound may appeal to parents seeking a name that is both culturally significant and memorably unique.
  14. Chai
    • Origin:

      Hebrew word name
    • Meaning:

      "tea, alive"
    • Description:

      Pronounced CHY, it's a word name meaning tea in many Eastern languages. The Hebrew name is pronounced without the C as HAI.
  15. Kayin
    • Origin:

      Yoruba
    • Meaning:

      "celebrated child"
    • Description:

      Eminently usable Nigerian name that works for both sexes.
  16. Mead
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "from the meadow"
    • Description:

      Undiscovered single-syllable surname option, a friendly alternative to Reed.
  17. Roffe
    • Description:

      Roffe is a masculine name with Scandinavian origins, particularly Swedish and Norwegian. It likely developed as a variant or diminutive of Rolf, which combines the Germanic elements 'hrod' (fame) and 'wulf' (wolf), creating a powerful meaning of 'famous wolf.' In Swedish, 'Roffe' is commonly used as a familiar form of Rolf. The name has a strong, compact quality with its two syllables and distinctive double 'f.' While uncommon in English-speaking countries, Roffe maintains popularity in parts of Scandinavia. The name carries associations of Nordic heritage and conveys a sense of strength. Its rarity outside Scandinavia makes it an interesting choice for parents seeking a name with authentic Nordic roots.
  18. Wil
    • Origin:

      Germanic
    • Meaning:

      "will"
    • Description:

      This spelling pares Will down to the bare minimum — and why not? It is also a Welsh diminutive of William / Wiliam / Gwilym.
  19. Gull
    • Origin:

      Celtic
    • Meaning:

      "long-winged swimming birds"
    • Description:

      Suggests the salty, windswept air of the seashore.
  20. Til
    • Description:

      Til is a masculine name with multiple cultural origins. In Germanic countries, it functions as a diminutive of names like Tilman or Dietrich. In Scandinavian traditions, it derives from the Old Norse 'Tíli,' meaning 'archer' or 'goal-achiever.' The name also appears in Dutch culture as a short form of Matilda for females or Tilo for males. Til's brevity gives it a modern, minimalist appeal while its ancient roots provide historical depth. Though uncommon in English-speaking countries, its simplicity makes it internationally accessible. The name carries connotations of precision and focus, perhaps influenced by its archer origins, and has gained modest popularity among parents seeking short, distinctive names with cross-cultural versatility.