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One-Syllable word names i love

  1. Arch

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Archibald, Teutonic

    • Meaning:

      "truly brave"

    • Description:

      Arch can be used as a nickname for Archibald or a stand-alone word name — perhaps for the child of an architect.
  2. Ash

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Asher, English

    • Meaning:

      "ash tree"

    • Description:

      Ash has Southern charm plus the arboreal-nature appeal. Plus your little boy will prize Ash as the name of the hero of the Pokemon cartoons. Ash can also be a dashing short form of Asher, Ashton, or any other "Ash" name.
  3. Bay

    • Origin:

      English word, Old English

    • Meaning:

      "an inlet of the sea where the land curves inward; berry"

    • Description:

      Like River and Lake, a cool, refreshing modern water-related choice. This name is also associated with bay leaves, the bay laurel, the contemporary term of endearment, "bae", and the Old English word beġ meaning "berry"
  4. Beach

    • Origin:

      Nature name, English word name

    • Meaning:

      "a shore of a body of water"

    • Description:

      With the tide coming in on a new wave of word names, this one just might catch on, especially for parents who relish sun, sand, and surf. Forest lovers can spell it Beech, like the tree.
  5. Beige

    • Origin:

      Color name

    • Description:

      Bland, and better for a girl besides.
  6. BET
    • Blue

      • Origin:

        Color name

      • Description:

        Blue suddenly came into the spotlight, as the unusual color name chosen by Beyonce and Jay-Z for their baby girl Blue Ivy. Blue is also a starbaby middle name du jour, used for both sexes in different spellings and forms, from John Travolta and Kelly Preston's Ella Bleu to Alicia Silverstone's Bear Blu. Dave 'The Edge' Evans named his daughter Blue Angel back in 1989.
    • BOLT
      • BRAID
        • Branch

          • Origin:

            Word name

          • Description:

            Branch is an attractive name with associations both with trees and with branching out into brave new worlds. Baseball's Branch (born Wesley, with Branch as his middle name) Rickey broke the color barrier by hiring Jackie Robinson for the Dodgers. Like Leaf, Branch makes a nice, not-so-obvious, addition to the tree category.
        • Bridge

          • Origin:

            Word name

          • Meaning:

            "bridge"

          • Description:

            A new name with the potential for spanning across a far-reaching future. Bridges and Bridger are other possiblities.
        • Brook

          • Origin:

            English nature name

          • Meaning:

            "small stream"

          • Description:

            Brooke variation – or is the other way around? – that makes it more a nature name, less an eighties-style androgynous name.
        • Buff

          • Origin:

            Modern nickname, also color name

          • Description:

            Has too many slangy connotations to be considered.
        • Champ

          • Origin:

            English word name

          • Meaning:

            "champion"

          • Description:

            Though it sounds like a modern invention, Champ actually has a long history as a first name. It hit the Top 1000 several times just before and after the turn of the 20th Century.
        • Chance

          • Origin:

            French variation of Chauncey

          • Description:

            Once a cavalier Mississippi gambler type name, Chance has entered the mainstream since being endorsed by such celebrity dads as Larry King and Paul Hogan. Chance the Rapper has also boosted the name's popularity.
        • CHARM
          • Clay

            • Origin:

              English word name; diminutive of Clayton

            • Description:

              Clay is a rich, earthy one-syllable name with a southern-inflected handsome-rogue image, featured on soap operas and reality TV. Its longer forms are Clayton and Clayborne.
          • Colt

            • Origin:

              Word name

            • Meaning:

              "young horse"

            • Description:

              Colt is the kind of unconventionally macho name that is so trendy right now, because of or in spite of its association with horses and guns.
          • Crew

            • Origin:

              English word name

            • Meaning:

              "a band or force of armed men"

            • Description:

              Crew is yet another word name that was added to the baby name lexicon when this one was chosen by The Young and the Restless star Joshua Morrow for his son. It debuted on the Top 1000 in 2010. We've also heard spelling variations Cru and Crue.
          • Day

            • Origin:

              English word name

            • Meaning:

              "the time of light between one night and the next"

            • Description:

              Many African tribes have a tradition of naming children for the day or time they were born -- Friday, Afternoon -- a practice finding new life in the Western world as word names become more popular.
          • DECK
            • DILL
              • DIME
                • DIRGE
                  • Doe

                    • Origin:

                      English

                    • Meaning:

                      "a female deer"

                    • Description:

                      Doe is a soft and gentle-eyed middle name possibility and, like Fawn, one of the few animal names open to girls.
                  • Dream

                    • Origin:

                      Word name, English

                    • Meaning:

                      "cherished ambition or hope; thoughts and images experienced during sleep; ideal"

                    • Description:

                      A whimsical and serene feeling word name, bestowed to reflect the joy and perfection parents might find in their children and the ambitions they have for them. Once a fantastical and celebrity-only feeling option, Dream came into popular usage after Rob Kardashian and Blac Chyna chose it for their daughter in 2016.
                  • Dune

                    • Origin:

                      English word name

                    • Meaning:

                      "sand hill"

                    • Description:

                      Dune is a name of several layers. It's a modern nature name, like Ocean, Bay and Reef, although rarer, conjuring up images of breezy sand dunes on summer beach days.
                  • Field

                    • Origin:

                      Nature name

                    • Description:

                      More unusual than Forest or Forrest, Field is a nature name that is simple, evocative, and fresh--sort of the male equivalent of Meadow.

                      Field and Fields are both relatively common surnames, noted bearers including department store owner Marshall Field, poet Eugene Field (Wynken, Blynken and Nod) and actress Sally. Those with the plural include W.C. Fields, cookie company founder Debbi, and entertainers Gracie and Kim Fields.

                  • FLAX
                    • FONT
                      • FORGE
                        • Gale

                          • Origin:

                            Nature name

                          • Description:

                            Gale for boys is more a storm name than a short form of Abigail. Since Gale has resurfaced as the name of Liam Hemsworth's daring character in The Hunger Games, it has new force for boys.
                        • GATE
                          • GEM
                            • GILT
                              • Glade

                                • Origin:

                                  Nature name

                                • Meaning:

                                  "clearing in a forest"

                                • Description:

                                  Shady, leafy nature-boy name.
                              • Grant

                                • Origin:

                                  Scottish from French

                                • Meaning:

                                  "large"

                                • Description:

                                  One-time beach-boy compadre of Glenn, Greg, and Gary that originated as a nickname for a tall person, Grant has become a no-nonsense, career-oriented grown-up and one that is seeing new appreciation. It was chosen for his son by actor Morris Chestnut. It has cultural cred via artist Grant Wood, whose best known painting is 'American Gothic.'
                              • Gray

                                • Origin:

                                  Color name, also diminutive of Grayson

                                • Description:

                                  The girls have Violet and Scarlet and Ruby and Rose, but for the boys there's a much more limited palette of color names. Gray (or Grey), is one exception, which could make for a soft and evocative--if slightly somber-- choice, especially in the middle. Kaitlin Olson and Rob McElhenney recently named their son Leo Grey.
                              • Grove

                                • Origin:

                                  Nature name

                                • Meaning:

                                  "grove of trees"

                                • Description:

                                  Fresh, evocative choice.
                              • Gull

                                • Origin:

                                  Celtic

                                • Meaning:

                                  "long-winged swimming birds"

                                • Description:

                                  Suggests the salty, windswept air of the seashore.
                              • Hawk

                                • Origin:

                                  Nature name

                                • Meaning:

                                  "hawk, a bird"

                                • Description:

                                  Animal names are on the rise, especially more of the aggressive Hawk-Fox-Wolf variety than cute little Bunnys or Robins, and Hawk is a prime example.
                              • Haze

                                • Origin:

                                  Word name

                                • Description:

                                  Trippy variation on Hayes, popular enough to have been given to 135 baby boys in the US last year.
                              • Hill

                                • Origin:

                                  English

                                • Meaning:

                                  "someone who lives by a hill"

                                • Description:

                                  Simple and down-to-earth, but would probably work best as a middle name.
                              • HOPE
                                • HOUND
                                  • HUFF
                                    • King

                                      • Origin:

                                        English

                                      • Meaning:

                                        "monarch"

                                      • Description:

                                        King is a name that sends a mixed message. While some might think of it as more fitting for a canine, others see it as a strong name with offbeat style and a full court of rich associations, from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to Elvis.

                                        King Vidor was an important early Hollywood director; King Camp Gillette invented the safety razor.

                                        If it's king names you're after that aren't King itself, see our list of Names with Royal Meanings or other lists and blogs on royal names.
                                    • KITE
                                      • LACE
                                        • Lake

                                          • Origin:

                                            Nature name

                                          • Description:

                                            Evocative modern unisex choice brought into the spotlight by actress Lake Bell.
                                        • Land

                                          • Origin:

                                            Word name or diminutive of Landon

                                          • Meaning:

                                            "long hill"

                                          • Description:

                                            One of the simplest, most down-to-earth yet evocative of the word names, which could work — especially as a middle.
                                        • Law

                                          • Description:

                                            Law is a masculine name with multiple origins and meanings. As an English surname-turned-first-name, it derives from the Old English 'hlaw' meaning 'hill' or as a shortened form of Lawrence, meaning 'from Laurentum' (an ancient Italian city). The name also carries obvious associations with legal systems and moral principles. While traditionally uncommon as a first name, Law gained some recognition through actor Jude Law. Its brevity makes it distinctive in an era of longer male names, offering a strong, commanding presence in just one syllable. The name's simplicity, powerful connotations of justice, and contemporary feel have attracted parents seeking something unconventional yet meaningful with professional gravitas.

                                        • Lion

                                          • Description:

                                            Lion is a masculine name with straightforward derivation from the powerful animal, symbolizing strength, courage, and nobility across many cultures. With Germanic, French, and English language roots, Lion functions both as a standalone name and as a shortened form of names like Lionel. Though relatively uncommon as a given name in English-speaking countries, it has seen increased interest among parents seeking bold, simple names with powerful associations. In some European countries, particularly Germany and France, Lion has enjoyed more consistent usage. The name's brevity and unmistakable meaning give it a striking quality, while its familiar word-name status makes it accessible despite being unconventional. Lion projects confidence and natural authority.
                                        • Lord

                                          • Origin:

                                            English

                                          • Meaning:

                                            "loaf-keeper"

                                          • Description:

                                            If it's royalty you're after, stick with Earl or Prince -- this is too deified.
                                        • Lynx

                                          • Origin:

                                            Animal name

                                          • Description:

                                            One of the fierce new animal names new to name lists, helped by its strong x-ending.
                                        • Mace

                                          • Origin:

                                            English

                                          • Meaning:

                                            "heavy club"

                                          • Description:

                                            Has a slight aura of danger, from its being two types of weapons and a looming character in the Star Wars films. Best left as a nickname for Mason.
                                        • MAGE
                                          • March

                                            • Origin:

                                              English word name

                                            • Meaning:

                                              "month name"

                                            • Description:

                                              Along with August, March is one of the month names perfectly suited to boys. This brisk single-syllable name – which derives from the name of Mars, the Roman god of war – is worth considering as either a first or middle option. As a surname, it brings warm memories of the girls of Little Women, and of twentieth century actor Fredric.
                                          • Mars

                                            • Origin:

                                              Roman mythology

                                            • Meaning:

                                              "god of war; male; red planet"

                                            • Description:

                                              Mars is a name with interesting potential, ticking the boxes as a mythological name, a space name, and a single syllable choice ending in -s. For parents wanting something unexpected, Mars could work as an alternative to popular Brooks, Max, Atlas, or Miles - and given to around 150 boys - and 35 girls - in a recent year, it is unusual but recognisable.
                                          • Marsh

                                            • Origin:

                                              English nature name

                                            • Description:

                                              Soft and mellifluous nature-surname name, situated miles away from the dated Marshall.
                                          • Math

                                            • Description:

                                              Math is a concise, powerful masculine name with multiple cultural origins. In Welsh mythology, Math fab Mathonwy was a king and powerful magician, giving the name deep Celtic roots. It can also be seen as a shortened form of Matthew, derived from Hebrew meaning 'gift of God.' In modern contexts, the name evokes associations with mathematics and logical thinking. This short, punchy name offers simplicity and strength with just four letters, making it easy to pronounce across languages. While uncommon as a standalone given name, Math's brevity aligns with contemporary naming trends favoring short, impactful names. For parents interested in Welsh heritage or looking for a unique alternative to Matthew with intellectual connotations, Math provides a distinctive yet accessible option.
                                          • Merle

                                            • Origin:

                                              French

                                            • Meaning:

                                              "blackbird"

                                            • Description:

                                              Originally a nickname for someone who loved to sing or whistle, Merle is sleek but gentle, with a hint of great grandpa about it..
                                          • MIST
                                            • Moon

                                              • Origin:

                                                Word name

                                              • Description:

                                                The original oddball celebrity baby name, via Frank Zappa's daughter Moon Unit, who claims she's always liked it.
                                            • Moss

                                              • Origin:

                                                English

                                              • Meaning:

                                                "descendant of Moses"

                                              • Description:

                                                This evocative green nature name, heard much more frequently as a surname, is associated with playwright Moss Hart (born Robert), who co-wrote (with George S. Kaufman) such enduring Broadway comedies as The Man Who Came to Dinner and You Can't Take it With You.
                                            • MYTH
                                              • NEST
                                                • Night

                                                  • Origin:

                                                    Word name

                                                  • Description:

                                                    An ubercool and mysterious name, brought to you by director M. Night Shyamalan.
                                                • North

                                                  • Origin:

                                                    English word name

                                                  • Meaning:

                                                    "cardinal direction of north"

                                                  • Description:

                                                    A lot of attention was drawn to this name when Kim Kardashian and Kanye West announced it as the name of their baby daughter, making it instantly unisex.
                                                • PATCH
                                                  • PEAR
                                                    • Pike

                                                      • Origin:

                                                        American animal name

                                                      • Meaning:

                                                        "pike, a fish"

                                                      • Description:

                                                        The field of nature names is constantly expanding to include all species of flowers and trees and animals and birds and even fish. In addition to its appeal for anglers, Pike recalls Zebulon Pike, the explorer who discovered and gave his name to Pike's Peak.
                                                    • Pine

                                                      • Origin:

                                                        Nature name

                                                      • Description:

                                                        Worthy sibling for Oak, Elm, Juniper, and Spruce.
                                                    • Quartz

                                                      • Origin:

                                                        Mineral name

                                                      • Description:

                                                        This may be a bit quirky to make it as a name, especially in first place. If you love it, you might try it in the middle.
                                                    • Quince

                                                      • Origin:

                                                        Latin

                                                      • Meaning:

                                                        "applelike fruit"

                                                      • Description:

                                                        The girls have Apple, Plum, Peaches, Cherry, and Berry: here's one variety of fruit suitable for a boy.
                                                    • Rain

                                                      • Origin:

                                                        Nature name

                                                      • Description:

                                                        Mostly feminine, though "Office" star Rainn Wilson gives it a slight masculine twist. You might also use this as a short form of Raines.
                                                    • Ridge

                                                      • Origin:

                                                        English word name

                                                      • Meaning:

                                                        "an elevated body part or structure"

                                                      • Description:

                                                        Ridge may be the quintessential daytime drama name, but it's still better than most. This is one word name rising rapidly through the ranks, reentering the US Top 1000 in 2015 for the first time since 1989.
                                                    • ROAM
                                                      • Rogue

                                                        • Origin:

                                                          English word name

                                                        • Meaning:

                                                          "independent, uncontrolled"

                                                        • Description:

                                                          Now that names like Cannon and Gunner, fit for comic book heroes, are rising up, Rogue may fit right in.
                                                      • Rome

                                                        • Origin:

                                                          Place name, Latin, Greek

                                                        • Meaning:

                                                          "to hurry or flow; strength"

                                                        • Description:

                                                          Given that Rome is arguably the most important city in European history, it has been used as a first name remarkably little. However, with Roman in the Top 100 and one-syllable choices in vogue, it was only a matter of time before parents started looking toward the city's name as a potential baby name.
                                                      • ROSE
                                                        • Roux

                                                          • Origin:

                                                            French from Latin

                                                          • Meaning:

                                                            "russet"

                                                          • Description:

                                                            Roux is the name of the dashing Johnny Depp character in Chocolat. Roux is French from a Latin word meaning russet or brownish red; it's also a cooking term for a mixture of flour and butter that forms the foundation of many gravies or sauces. Most of today's children with this name, pronounced roo, will actually spell it Rue, for the female character in The Hunger Games.
                                                        • Rule

                                                          • Origin:

                                                            Word name

                                                          • Description:

                                                            Stricter than Peace or Justice.
                                                        • Sage

                                                          • Origin:

                                                            Herb name and also Latin

                                                          • Meaning:

                                                            "wise and knowing"

                                                          • Description:

                                                            A modern, multifaceted name, Sage is short, sweet, and strong. A unisex possibility, it is also a virtuous word name associated with wisdom, and a nature name linked to a fragrant herb.
                                                        • SAIL
                                                          • Seal

                                                            • Origin:

                                                              English word and nature name

                                                            • Description:

                                                              Projects the sleek and playful image of the aquatic mammal, plus that of the striking British-born Brazilian/Nigerian/Afro-Caribbean singer (born Sealhenry).
                                                          • Shad

                                                            • Origin:

                                                              Fish name; variation of Chad

                                                            • Meaning:

                                                              "battle warrior"

                                                            • Description:

                                                              Swam into style and quickly out again, on Chad's fish- er, coat-tails.
                                                          • Shale

                                                            • Origin:

                                                              Word name

                                                            • Description:

                                                              Slate, Stone and Steel are on the rise, so why not Shale?
                                                          • Skip

                                                            • Description:

                                                              Skip is a casual, spirited masculine name that originated as a nickname rather than a formal given name. Traditionally, it emerged as a diminutive for various names, particularly Christopher, but also for Richard, Skipper, or other names. The name evokes a carefree, energetic personality—someone who might 'skip' through life with enthusiasm. Skip gained some popularity in mid-20th century America, particularly during the 1950s-60s, reflecting the era's fondness for friendly, approachable nicknames as standalone names. While rarely used as a birth name today, it retains nostalgic charm and continues to be used as a nickname. The name carries associations with youthfulness, informality, and an unpretentious American sensibility.
                                                          • Sky

                                                            • Origin:

                                                              Nature name

                                                            • Description:

                                                              Sky may be a bit hippie-ish, but it's bright and sunny nonetheless. Sky rejoined the Top 1000 in 2013 after spending many years off the list. Sky was the choice of magician David Copperfield for his daughter, born in 2010.
                                                          • Slate

                                                            • Origin:

                                                              Word name

                                                            • Description:

                                                              One of the more unusual of the current crop of strong, single-syllable boys' names, evoking the images of both old-fashioned blackboards and modern stepping-stones and countertops.
                                                          • SPUR
                                                            • Steel

                                                              • Origin:

                                                                Word name

                                                              • Description:

                                                                Hard and shiny, Steel projects an image that's smooth, macho...and cold to the touch.
                                                            • STRONG
                                                              • TALE
                                                                • TALL
                                                                  • TREK
                                                                    • Wall

                                                                      • Description:

                                                                        Wall is an uncommon masculine name derived from the Old English 'weall,' originally referring to someone who lived near a wall or worked as a wall builder. As a surname turned given name, it follows the trend of adopting occupational or topographical surnames as first names. Wall projects strength and stability, drawing from the literal meaning of a structure that protects and endures. Despite its simplicity, the name carries a substantial quality, potentially appealing to parents seeking minimalist names with implicit meaning. While rare as a first name in most English-speaking countries, Wall's brevity aligns with modern preferences for short, impactful names. It offers a distinctive alternative to similar short masculine names like Will or Wes, providing familiarity in sound but uniqueness in usage.
                                                                    • Way

                                                                      • Description:

                                                                        Way is a short, distinctive masculine name with multiple origin possibilities. It may derive from Old English 'weg' meaning 'path' or 'journey,' could be a shortened form of Wayne, or might originate from various Asian languages where it carries meanings like 'power' (Chinese) or 'to protect' (Japanese). As a given name in Western cultures, Way has remained extremely rare, though it has seen occasional use particularly in English-speaking countries. The name's brevity gives it a modern, minimalist appeal in an era when short names are increasingly fashionable. Way carries philosophical connotations of life's journey, particularly in Eastern traditions where 'the Way' represents spiritual paths. Despite its simplicity, the name conveys depth and can appeal to parents seeking a meaningful yet concise name with cross-cultural potential.
                                                                    • Win

                                                                      • Origin:

                                                                        Diminutive of Winslow, Winthrop, or Winston

                                                                      • Description:

                                                                        Win is an upbeat, can-do name that can be a short form of one of the buttoned-up British choices above or can stand on its own. Welsh Wyn is another possibility.

                                                                        Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and singer Ciara named their son Win Harrison. Harrison is Wilson's father's first name.
                                                                    • Yale

                                                                      • Origin:

                                                                        Welsh

                                                                      • Meaning:

                                                                        "fertile upland"

                                                                      • Description:

                                                                        An appellation that couldn't be more Ivy League or sound less Welsh. The name of the University is taken from the surname of college benefactor Elihu Yale. In the movie Manhattan, Yale Pollack is the name of Woody Allen's best friend. The Hebrew Yael is not related.
                                                                    • York

                                                                      • Origin:

                                                                        English

                                                                      • Meaning:

                                                                        "from the yew estate"

                                                                      • Description:

                                                                        Brisk, preppy York is an underused classic with the potential to really shine in the 21st century. It's most familiar as a place name — York is a city in England — and surname. New York City and State were named after the Duke of York.
                                                                    • Zinc

                                                                      • Origin:

                                                                        Color or mineral name

                                                                      • Description:

                                                                        Extreme cool possibilities in either of these modern categories, like a postmodern Linc.