Cool One Syllable Names

Moor

Moor is a masculine name with Anglo-Saxon and geographical origins. Historically, it referred to a person who lived near or came from moorlands – open, uncultivated upland areas. The name also has…

Ned

English, diminutive of Edward

"wealthy guardian"

Ned is a gently old-fashioned Nancy Drew-Bobbsey Twins-era short form for Edward that sounds cooler than Ed and is enjoying a small style renaissance. Usage of Ned in literature goes back to a Ben…

Pell

English occupational name

"dealer in furs"

Pell makes an unusual middle name choice. And if grandpa Seymour was a fur trader, you might do better to honor him by naming the baby Pell.

Penn

English

"enclosure"

This simple, elegant name offers something for many kinds of parents, from writers and history buffs to photographers to Pennsylvania dwellers. Most famous bearers are comedian Penn Jillette and…

Pryce

Pryce is a masculine name with Welsh origins, derived from the name Rhys or Rees, which means 'enthusiasm' or 'ardor.' Initially used primarily as a surname, it evolved into a given name that retains…

Quade

Latin or Irish,

"fourth, born fourth; son of Uaid"

Quade is a confident, contemporary-sounding name that would fit right in with classmates Cade, Zade, Slade and Jade, boasting the quirky Q-beginning. Quade Cooper is an Australian rugby star. With…

Quay

French word name

"wharf"

A name that looks intriguing and masculine on paper, but is, unfortunately, a homonym for a girl's name.

Hanalei

Hawaiian

"crescent bay or garland valley"

An appealing Hawaiian name which belongs to a town, river and bay on Kauaʻi island in Hawaii. The two possible meanings of the name, "crescent bay" or "garland (lei) valley" both describe the beauty…

Quill

Irish, English

"lion; scribe, writer with a quill pen"

First appearing in the US stats back in 2013, this wordy choice fits in with the likes of Sonnet, Poetry, Fable, and Story as a literary option for writers, fans of classic literature, and those who…

Red

Color name

Fiery but slight middle name choice; much more apt to be a redhead's nickname.

Rune

German and Swedish

"secret"

Name with connotations both mystical and tragic, newly popular in Europe. For English speakers, though, this name might be ruined by its homonym ruin.

Thor

Norse and Scandinavian

"thunder"

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…

Thorne

English

"thorn thicket"

Rose and Briar are popular, and Hawthorn is cool – so why not the equally prickly Thorne? The E ending gives it a surnamey spin à la Hawthorne. Thorne Smith (born James Thorne) was a comic fantasy…

Tide

Nature name

As likely to be tied to the detergent as to the rhythms of the ocean.

True

Word name

"true"

Many parents seeking a return to more basic values and a simpler lifestyle are turning to such virtuous girls' names as Grace, Faith, and Hope, but there are a handful that work just as well on boys,…