Cool One Syllable Names

  1. Jem
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of James or Jeremiah
    • Description:

      This name of the ten-year-old boy in the much loved and acclaimed modern classic To Kill a Mockingbird could find favor along with that of the character's sister, Scout.
  2. Joel
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "Jehovah is his God"
    • Description:

      In the Old Testament, Joel was one of King David's 'mighty men' and the name was taken up by the Puritans of the sixteenth century. In the mid 1960s, Joel entered the Top 100, and stayed there for about twenty years, as parents tried to jazz up and formalize old standby Joe by reviving this biblical name.
  3. Jude
    • Origin:

      Latin diminutive of Judah, Hebrew, Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "praised; to be generous, to be good to others"
    • Description:

      Jude is a modern star, maintaining a steady level of popularity -- but not TOO much popularity, in the US at least. Thank Jude Law and the great Lennon-McCartney song "Hey Jude", double-handedly responsible for propelling Jude up the charts.
  4. Kai
    • Origin:

      Hawaiian, Frisian, Chinese
    • Meaning:

      "sea; warrior; triumph"
    • Description:

      Kai is an internationally flexible name with many possible origins and meanings, growing in popularity in the US and a diverse range of European countries.
  5. Keats
    • Origin:

      English literary name
    • Meaning:

      "kite"
    • Description:

      Poetic and easier to pronounce (it's keets) than Yeats (which is yates). This one of many poets' names to consider, such as Auden, Eliot, Frost, Byron, Lorca, Marlowe, Blake, Emerson and Tennyson, which was used by Russell Crowe.
  6. Kent
    • Origin:

      English surname and place-name
    • Meaning:

      "edge"
    • Description:

      Kent is a no-nonsense, brief, brisk one-syllable name, almost as curt as Kurt.
  7. Keyes
    • Origin:

      English, Irish
    • Meaning:

      "keeper of keys; son of Aodh"
    • Description:

      With an easy-going and interesting sound, the surname-inspired Keyes might fit in with the likes of Hayes, Reese, Kai and Keegan. While Keyes has never appeared in the US stats, Key (perhaps as a variation of Kay or Kai) is given to a handful of boys each year.
  8. Kip
    • Origin:

      American diminution of Christopher, Greek and Latin
    • Meaning:

      "bearer of Christ"
    • Description:

      Kip Thorne, nobel laureate and long-time colleague of Stephen Hawking, is just one of several Kips who don't have a longer name. But Kip is often short for Christopher.
  9. Kit
    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Christopher
    • Meaning:

      "bearer of Christ"
    • Description:

      Actor Kit Harington, aka the dreamy Jon Snow on Game of Thrones, has given this nickname-name new style and appeal for boys. Actress Jodie Foster used it for her son back in the 2000s, while actor Kit Connor of Heartstopper fame may have introduced it to a wider audience.
  10. Klaus
    • Origin:

      German variation of Claus, diminutive of Nicolas, Greek
    • Meaning:

      "people of victory"
    • Description:

      Two drawbacks: some unpleasant World War II associations, and the Santa clause.
  11. Knox
    • Origin:

      Scottish
    • Meaning:

      "round hill"
    • Description:

      Knox is an old Scottish surname that Brad Pitt (whose great-great-grandfather was named Hal Knox Hillhouse) and Angelina Jolie took out of the back cupboard, dusted off, and elevated to coolness--to the point where it entered the popular baby names list in 2009. Knox now ranks among the most influential celebrity baby names.
  12. Klein
    • Leith
      • Origin:

        Scottish, river name
      • Description:

        Traditionally a male name, Leith now can make a highly unusual, strong but soft, and intriguing girls' possibility.
    • Lux
      • Origin:

        Latin
      • Meaning:

        "light"
      • Description:

        This name of a character played by Kirsten Dunst in the movie Virgin Suicides, originally a novel by Jeffrey Eugenides, is gaining attention, also thanks to the heroine Lux, Lady of Luminosity in the League of Legends games. Luz is the Spanish version.
    • Lyle
      • Origin:

        Scottish and English from French
      • Meaning:

        "someone who lives on an island"
      • Description:

        Straightforward single-syllable name, though children named Lyle may get tired of hearing "Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile". Lyle was at the height of fashion in the 1920s, which makes him due for a comeback right about now. The double L certainly gives it a fashionable sound.
    • Mae
      • Origin:

        Diminutive of Mary or Margaret, Hebrew, Latin
      • Meaning:

        "beloved, bitter, drop of the sea; pearl"
      • Description:

        Mae, a sweet and springlike old-fashioned name, hadn't been on the national charts in forty years, but finally made it back in 2010. Mae is derived from May, the month name that was chosen for its connection to Maia, the Roman goddess of growth and motherhood.
    • Maeve
      • Origin:

        Irish
      • Meaning:

        "she who intoxicates"
      • Description:

        Maeve is a short and sweet name that has become one of the most stylish Irish names for girls in the modern US. It joined the Top 100 for the first time in 2023 and now ranks at Number 75.
    • Max
      • Origin:

        Latin
      • Meaning:

        "greatest"
      • Description:

        If Sam can make it as a girl's name, why not Max? Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg's eldest daughter Maxima goes by Max, but you could also use it as a short form for Maxine, Maximilienne or even Margaux.
    • Max
      • Origin:

        English and German diminutive of Maximilian or Maxwell
      • Meaning:

        "greatest"
      • Description:

        Max was derived from Maximilian, a Latin name that originated from the Roman family name Maximus. The character name Max in the children's classic Where the Wild Things Are had an impact on baby namers. Max is a widely used name internationally.
    • Mills
      • Description:

        Feels akin to Brooks and Rivers, two other boys' names that double as plural nouns. It's been used as a first name for centuries, including by a two time governor of Virginia.