CHIckenstr1ps.'s list "Names that are One Syllable" of 20 great name ideas: Dale - Ives!

Names that are One Syllable

Short and stylish names. This list has names to suit multiple genders and tastes. This list is a work in progress.

An early unisex nature name that has been surpassed by others, Dale is still a simple, sylvan and serene option. 
 Most of Dale's recent best known bearers – father and son race drivers Dale Earnhart, glass sculptor Dale Chihuly – are male, but if you look further back to her heyday as a girls' name (she was Number 237 in 1952), you'll find singing cowgirl Dale Evans (born France Octavia) and Flash Gordon's gal, Dale Arden.

Dale

Joss is more fashionable than Jocelyn or Josslyn. This is a short form that could be used independently, a la the singer Joss Stone. One of a troupe of adorable boyish nicknames newly fashionable for girls a la Lou and Charlie. 

Joss

A sleek, smooth, understated name off the grid in the US but among the Top 100 girl names in Germany. In the US, it is a unisex name, while in Germany and the Netherlands, it is predominantly feminine.

Merle

Meaning bard, this is an original choice with poetic and melodic undertones. Bard itself has also come into consideration, both names bringing to mind Shakespeare and other literary lights. 
The Scottish surname Baird's most notable bearer was John Logie Baird, the Scottish engineer and inventor of the televisor, the world's first practical television system in 1926, and also the world's first fully electronic color TV tube two years later. Some might also remember puppeteers Bil and Cora Baird.

Baird

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"

The quintessential midcentury nickname, famously found in Arthur Miller's play "Death of a Salesman." 

Biff is late 19th century slang meaning to "hit", so Biff may have originated as a nickname for a tough guy. We'd object to it as a name, but it's hard to imagine anyone using it today outside of a symbolic name in a play.

Biff

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. 
 And nowadays it's also a Microsoft search engine--but in any case, Bing has a lot of zing and could fit in with the likes of Brooks, Banks, Riggs, and Briggs. No babies have been called Bing in recent years, however. 
 
Bing may also be associated with a Chinese name meaning "soldier" or "ice" depending on the kanji. While Bing is typically a surname, it may occasionally be listed as a given name in English speaking countries, due to the difference in name order in Chinese.

Bing

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.
 Bix could easily fit in with cousins Jax, Dax, etc.

Too tightly associated with the real-life villainous Captain Bligh of The Mutiny on the Bounty. 

Bligh

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.

Britt as a masculine name is less common than its usage for females, making it an interesting gender-neutral option. Originally a nickname for Brittany or Bridget when used for women, as a male name it typically derives from the Old Norse 'Britr' meaning 'Briton' or can be a shortened form of names like Britton. The name has a strong, concise sound with Nordic connections. In Scandinavian countries, particularly Sweden, Britt has been used as a standalone name for both genders, though more commonly for females. For males, it projects a modern, slightly unconventional image while maintaining simplicity and strength. Its brevity gives it a contemporary feel that works well internationally, though its usage for boys remains relatively uncommon in most regions.

Britt

Chess is an uncommon masculine name derived from the classic strategy board game. As a given name, it evokes qualities of strategic thinking, patience, and intellectual prowess. The game of chess dates back to the 6th century, originating in India before spreading worldwide, which gives the name a sense of historical depth and cross-cultural significance. As a contemporary first name, Chess has a distinctive, concise quality with a modern edge, while still maintaining connections to tradition and thoughtful contemplation. The name remains quite rare in usage, appealing to parents seeking something truly unique with intellectual associations for their son.

Chess

Strong, straight, and leafy, one of the new tree names used mostly as middles. 

In English, a fen is a wetland fed by surface and/or groundwater. In Dutch and Frisian, it's a traditional diminutive of names containing the element frid, meaning "peace". Either way, Fen makes a fresh alternative to fashionable Finn.

Also spelled Fyfe, this zippy sounding name would make a great middle name choice for music lovers or those with Scottish roots. The name has a double meaning: it is both a Scottish place name, likely derived from fiamh meaning "path", and also the name of an instrument, which takes its name from the German Pfeife and the French fifre meaning "pipe".

Fife

One of the classic hippie word names. In the 1970s, actors Barbara Hershey and David Carradine gave this name to their son...who later changed it to Tom. 

Free

Very popular in Wales; this could make a nice middle name in honor of a Grandpa Glenn. 

Glyn

Griff is a masculine name with Welsh origins, functioning both as a standalone name and as a diminutive of Griffin or Griffith. The name derives from the Welsh 'Gruffydd,' meaning 'strong lord' or 'strong faith.' Griff has a concise, strong quality that appeals to parents seeking short, impactful names. The name carries associations with strength and courage, partly due to its connection to the mythological griffin creature (part eagle, part lion). In Welsh culture, variations of this name have been used for centuries, connecting it to a rich Celtic heritage. While not among the most common names, Griff has maintained steady usage, particularly in Wales and among families with Welsh ancestry.

Griff

If you find Grover too fusty and furry, this is a much cooler-sounding alternative. 

Grove

Smooth and sleek one-syllable name, sometimes suggested for Sagittarius boys. 