One-Syllable Middle Names for Girls

May be the most modern, stylish Catherine nickname: more unusual than Kate or Cate, with an animal and word name edge. Cat Power is a trendy folksinger.

Gem is a concise, evocative feminine name derived directly from the English word for precious stones. This nature-inspired name conveys qualities of rarity, beauty, and value. As a given name, Gem has never been widely common but has maintained steady, limited usage, particularly in English-speaking countries. The name's brevity makes it distinctive in an era when longer names are often popular. Gem can also function as a nickname for longer names like Gemma, Gemini, or even more distantly related names like Jemima. The name evokes positive associations with brilliance, durability, and natural beauty. Its simplicity makes it easy to spell and pronounce across cultures while carrying rich metaphorical meaning.

An early unisex nature name that has been surpassed by others, Dale is still a simple, sylvan and serene option.

Highly unusual water name -- and actor Colin surname -- with a Scottish burr. Firth derives from the Old Norse word fjord.

Skater Tai Babilonia brought this sleek modern name to the world's attention. Pronounced "tie."

These days, it's more likely you'd call your daughter the popular Belle or Bella.

Parents searching for a simple, peaceful name may be attracted to this one.

With the growing popularity of Celia and Cecilia, this vintage canasta-playing nickname name could be due for a comeback.

This nature name hasn't escaped the hippie dippy air of others like River or Sky.

Although the single-named singer is male, this might be a girl's nickname name or a sleek nature name that's perfect in the middle.

Frost is a name parents are beginning to warm to, appreciating its icy simplicity and connection with the venerable poet Robert. Frost, along with Winter, Snow, and January, are also perfect names for winter babies.

Tree is an ultimate nature name, made famous by longtime Taylor Swift publicist Tree Paine, born Trina Snyder.

Straightforward yet romantic, this is one newly minted name with long-term appeal, especially as a middle name. It was used as such for Tea Leoni and David Duchovny's Madelaine, whom they call West. Definitely ambigender, it was chosen by Marley Shelton for her daughter. 

Ames is that jewel of a name that's simple and familiar while at the same time being unusual and rare. With gender neutral surname names ending in S trending today -- think Brooks, Wells, Oakes -- Ames can make a perfect update on Amy or Amanda.

Kerr, a simple, unusual unisex middle-name choice, can be pronounced either car or kehr.

March has never been popular as a month name, possibly because of its slightly abrupt sound. But with all kinds of month (and season, day, and holiday) names, from January to December, Sunday to Easter, Winter to Midnight, coming to the fore, March is beginning to seem eminently baby-ready.

Peg is a nostalgic turn-of-the-last-century nickname, sociable but slight. Like near-identical twin Peggy, Peg is in mothballs.

Hip new middle-name choice, conjuring up the gothic tales of Edgar Allan, and current single-named pop singer Poe.

We once dismissed Bird as "too flighty", but with the rise of avian names from Lark to Robin to, well, Birdie, we don't see why Bird can't be a fine choice, especially as a middle name.

A striking word name for either gender. It's a safer choice when used as a middle name. Sixteen baby girls were named Brave in the US last year, the same number as were named Breezy.