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Cool, Unusual, One Syllable Nicknames

Lennie
By Lennie
Updated Thu May 25 2023
  1. Hart

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "stag"

    • Description:

      Hart could be the hero of a romantic novel, but on the other hand, it's short, straightforward, and strong sounding. The most famous bearer of the name was tragic poet Hart (born Harold) Crane, but it also has musical cred via Lorenz Hart, of the classic Rodgers & Hart songwriting duo and a literary tie to playwright Moss Hart.
  2. 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.
  3. Lark

    • Origin:

      Bird name

    • Description:

      In one recent year there were 60 baby girls in the US named Lark....and only eight baby boys. But there's no reason this bird name can't also be masculine, especially given that Robin is making a comeback for boys and Sparrow is a notable starbaby boy (he's Nicole Richie and Joel Madden's son).
  4. Thor

    • Origin:

      Norse and Scandinavian

    • Meaning:

      "thunder"

    • Description:

      Thor, the powerful name of the Norse god of thunder, strength and rain, would make a bold statement. Long a comic book staple, Thor has now invaded the big screen, and could land on birth certificates as well.
  5. Jinx

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Meaning:

      "spell, curse, bringer of bad luck"

    • Description:

      Jinx, a James Bond heroine name has an ominous meaning but kinetic energy. In the film "Die Another Day," the actual first name of the character played by Halle Berry is Giacinta. It could therefore be a playful nickname to Ginevra, Jessica, Genevieve, Gianna, Josephine, or Georgina, or a bold choice for those wanting some sparky and witchy.
  6. Bix

    • Origin:

      Modern nickname

    • Description:

      Bix is a cool and jazzy nickname name, thanks to that final x. It's largely associated with the legendary and influential cornet player (and inspiration for the novel Young Man With a Horn), Bix Beiderbecke. He was born Leon Bismark Beiderbecke and his nickname derived from his middle name.
  7. Poe

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "peacock"

    • Description:

      An evocative unisex one-syllable name, Poe is most distinguished by its literary reference. Edgar Allan Poe was an influential American author and poet, credited with inventing the genres of detective and science fiction, which might provide inspiration for parents who are fans. And now its choice as the name of the hero played by Oscar Isaac in the new Star Wars movie is sure to catapult it from literary choice to major favorite.
  8. Ven

    • Description:

      Ven is a concise masculine name with multiple cultural origins. In Dutch and Scandinavian contexts, it derives from words meaning 'friend' or 'companion,' giving it warm, approachable connotations. In Vietnamese usage, Ven can relate to concepts of stability or steadiness. Some also consider it a shortened form of names like Sven, Steven, or even Venantius, an ancient Roman name. The name's brevity makes it distinctive in an era of longer masculine names, offering simplicity with meaningful origins. Ven's international appeal comes from its easy pronunciation across multiple languages and cultures. While uncommon as a standalone name, it has seen some increased usage among parents seeking minimalist, contemporary name choices with positive meanings and cross-cultural versatility.

  9. Buck

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "male deer or rabbit"

    • Description:

      Comedian Roseanne Barr chose this macho nature name for her son. In the 18th century it was used to describe a dashing, fashionable dressed man. Buck fits in well alongside names like Beck, Jack and Huck.
  10. Zale

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "sea-strength"

    • Description:

      Appealing sound and meaning, but there is that discount-store association.
  11. Isle

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "small island"

    • Description:

      Isla is a contemporary gem, so why not Isle? As an English word name, it takes you straight to the literal definition — a small island — which could have an appealing, aspirational ring to it, for those wanting to raise independent children.
  12. 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.
  13. Zeb

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Zebediah or Zebulon

    • Description:

      Short and to-the-point, it turns an ancient biblical name into a friendly cowboy.
  14. Voss

    • Origin:

      Germanic

    • Meaning:

      "fox"

    • Description:

      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.
  15. Oak

    • Origin:

      English tree name

    • Meaning:

      "tree from the genus Quercus"

    • Description:

      Oak, a symbol of solidity, strength, and longevity, is joining Cedar and Pine as a viable name, one that would work especially well in the middle.
  16. Bing

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "kettle-shaped hollow"

    • Description:

      When Kate Hudson named her second son Bingham and announced that she would be calling him Bing, it put this zingy nickname name out on the table. Before that, there was only one, further nicknamed Der Bingle -- and he was really Harry Lillis Crosby.
  17. Bly

    • Origin:

      English surname name

    • Meaning:

      "friendly"

    • Description:

      The surname of enterprising journalist Nellie Bly and poet Robert Bly makes a simple, modern, and upbeat sounding choice for either a boy or a girl.
  18. Dart

    • Origin:

      English place- and word name

    • Description:

      This British river name sounds sleek and strong but perhaps a bit too energetic.
  19. Ax

    • Origin:

      Word name or short form of Axel

    • Description:

      Ax makes a somewhat threatening short form of the popular Axel, given to more than 3000 baby boys last year. It can also be used on its own, though it usually isn't. There were, however, seven baby boys named Axe in the US in 2015.
  20. Snow

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Description:

      Snow is increasing in usage mostly as a girls' name, but hero Jon Snow of Game of Thrones just might nudge it into the boys' column. Currently, there are 12 times as many girls named Snow as boys, but its usage is much higher in middle place.