One Syllable Names for Boys

A river (in Italy), a writer (Bronson), a Teletubby: the Bo of the new millennium.

Poet is a new entry in both the trendy word and occupational categories as well as a member of the growing group of gender neutral names. A handful of baby boys received the name in the US last year. A perfect choice, especially in the middle, for the child of writers or those with a poetic bent. And Po is an adorable nickname for either gender.

A small but mighty modern Hebrew name, Rom ranks in Israel's Top 100.

Bryant has a longer history as a first name in the US than its father name Brian, ranking among the Top 1000 since the list began in 1880 while Brian only jumped on in 1925.

Heavenly French word name used for both sexes.

The short, clipped Cru is one of those modern names that's starting to find favor -- it was given to about 100 boys last year, while Crew has vaulted onto the Top 1000. One inspiration is undoubtedly the Spanish name Cruz, which came to wider attention via the third son of Victoria and David Beckham. Cru has a handsome sound and a modern feel.

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

This name, more recognized as a short form of Sebastian, is perfectly usable a cool full name, and, in fact, ranks on the UK popularity list. Seb is getting lot of attention as the nickname name of the Ryan Gosling character in the hit film La La Land.

Only if you're madly nostalgic for sixties TV.

Popular Dutch name that reflects the short, clipped style in vogue in that country. Bart, another short form of Bartholomeus and Bartholomew, is also popular there.

Tim is a boyish short form very rarely given on its own.

A simple and charismatic Chinese and Korean name, also spelled Joon.

Rayne may be considered a modern respelling of the nature name Rain or a variation of the surname Raine, which comes from the Old French word reine, meaning "queen."

Rowe is a surname turned given name with English origins, derived from the Old English word 'rāw' meaning 'row of houses' or 'hedgerow.' Historically, it was a topographic name for someone who lived near a row of houses or a prominent hedgerow. As a first name, Rowe has a distinguished, concise quality with a modern appeal despite its ancient roots. The name remains relatively uncommon as a given name for boys, giving it a distinctive edge. Its simplicity and strong single syllable make it appealing to parents seeking a name that is both traditional and uncommon, fitting well with the trend toward surname-inspired given names that convey strength and heritage.

The Old Testament Noah has been so popular for so long that variations are becoming popular too. Noe is a streamlined form used in Greek and Latin Bibles, and in Georgia too. Spelled as more often as Noé, it is also popular across France, Belgium, Switzerland, and Spain.

A popular name in the Netherlands that's arguably more attractive than the original, Sem is a Dutch variant of the Biblical Shem who was one of the sons of Noah. Only ever given to a handful of boys in the US, it is currently in the Dutch Top 10 and a familiar option in Belgium and Italy. It might also be used as a short form of Semion or Semyon in Russia.

Always the less common spelling of Irish classic Neil, Neal has been on a fifty-year slide, and now doesn't even make the Top 1000. It has a streamlined, surnamey appeal in this spelling.

Variant of Rewan. This spelling of the medieval saint's name is found in the place name Ruan Lanihorne in Cornwall. The name is of uncertain etymology but most likely comes from "Roman".

A common Vietnamese name heard evenly for boys and girls in the U.S. Sounds like tahn or tong, depending on what part of Vietnam you come from.

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.