​
​
Advanced Search

One Syllable Names for Boys

  1. Kal

    • Description:

      Kal is a concise, powerful masculine name with diverse cultural roots. In Norse mythology, Kal relates to 'cold' or 'frost,' while in Sanskrit it can mean 'time' or 'black.' The name also appears as a diminutive of Kalman or Kaleb in some traditions, and resonates with Superman fans as the birth name of the superhero (Kal-El). This cross-cultural versatility gives Kal a global appeal while maintaining a strong, distinctive sound. The name's brevity makes it punchy and memorable, following the modern trend toward shorter masculine names. Despite its ancient roots, Kal feels contemporary and has gained modest popularity in recent decades. Its simplicity makes it work well internationally while its varied cultural connections give it depth and character.
  2. Shale

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Description:

      Slate, Stone and Steel are on the rise, so why not Shale?
  3. Eja

    • Origin:

      Native American, meaning unknown

    • Description:

      Singer Shania Twain is said to have chosen this name, pronounced as Asia, for her son to honor her father's Native-American culture.
  4. Riel

    • Description:

      Riel is a concise masculine name with multiple origins. It can be derived from the Dutch name Gabriël, serving as a shortened form. In some communities, it has roots as a surname before transitioning to use as a first name. Riel also has significance in Canadian history, as it may honor Louis Riel, the Métis political leader who fought for the rights of his people in the 19th century. In Hebrew contexts, it can be interpreted to mean 'God's messenger.' The name's brevity gives it a modern, streamlined quality while its various cultural connections provide depth. Despite its short length, Riel carries substance and character, making it appeal to parents seeking an uncommon yet meaningful name that works well internationally.

  5. Ged

    • Origin:

      English diminutive of Gerard, Gerald, or Gethin, German

    • Meaning:

      "spear strength; ruler with the spear; dark, swarthy complexion"

    • Description:

      An oldy-world feeling nickname-name, used for a number of names such as Gerard (said with a sound G) and Gethin (said with a hard first consonant). In the US, it may be associated with the General Educational Development (GED) tests, which are equivalent to a high school diploma.
  6. Knut

    • Origin:

      Old Norse; Norwegian; Swedish; Danish

    • Meaning:

      "knot"

    • Description:

      This royal but common Scandinavian name is, in the US, linked to a single figure -- Notre Dame football coach Knute Rockne. Could easily be confused with Newt.
  7. Four

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Description:

      Veronica Roth used the name Four for a character in her novel Divergent.
  8. Stas

    • Description:

      Stas is a masculine name primarily used in Eastern European countries, particularly Poland, Russia, and Ukraine. It functions as a diminutive of Stanislav (or Stanisław), a name composed of Slavic elements meaning 'glory' and 'establish' – essentially 'may you achieve glory' or 'one who achieves glory.' Despite its brevity, Stas carries the strength and historical significance of its longer form. In Eastern European communities, it's appreciated for being modern-sounding while maintaining traditional roots. Outside Slavic regions, Stas remains relatively uncommon, giving it an exotic appeal while still being fairly easy to pronounce. The name's concise nature makes it practical and distinctive in international settings, while its cultural background provides depth and heritage.
  9. Jex

    • Origin:

      English surname derived from Jacques

    • Description:

      Decidedly offbeat name that combines jauntiness with that uber-cool X, and would certainly set your son up for life outside the mainstream.
  10. Just

    • Description:

      Just is a masculine name with Latin roots, derived from the word "justus" meaning "fair" or "righteous." As a given name, it carries strong connotations of morality, integrity, and fairness. Popular primarily in Dutch-speaking regions and parts of continental Europe, Just maintains a simple, strong quality with its single syllable and clear meaning. Though uncommon in English-speaking countries, where it might be confused with the adverb "just," the name has maintained steady usage in the Netherlands and surrounding areas. The name's brevity gives it a direct, unpretentious quality, while its meaning provides a powerful aspirational quality for its bearer.

  11. Creek

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Description:

      Intriguing, when seen as a water name a la River and Ocean, but too close to cultural appropriate if used as a reference to the Creek tribe of Native Americans. Another downside is its resemblance to creak, as in creaky bones or floorboards, and to unappealing words like creep and creak.
  12. Ry

    • Origin:

      Short form of Ryder or Rylan; spelling variation of Rye

    • Description:

      Musician Ry Cooder brought this short form into the lexicon -- his full name is Ryland -- and it feels more familiar now that more Ry- beginning names such as Ryder and Riley are, ahem, riding up the ranks. The Rye spelling makes it more of a word or a nature name and less of a nickname.
  13. Ruadh

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "red"

    • Description:

      Also spelt Rua, Ruadh is a strong and simple Irish name with a fiery meaning. Ruadhan is a popular related name.
  14. Aza

    • Origin:

      Arabic

    • Meaning:

      "powerful"

    • Description:

      Aza's similarity to the biblical name Asa makes it ripe for adaptation. If you want something more elaborate, you might consider Azariah. Something simpler? It doesn't get much simpler and that is the beauty of Aza (or Asa).
  15. Rosh

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "chief"

    • Description:

      Rosh is not Ross, not Rush, but an improvement on both of those more familiar names. The Biblical Rosh was a son of Benjamin, so you might consider it to honor a father or otherwise ancestral Benjamin. Very much associated with the Jewish New Year holiday, Rosh Hashanah.
  16. Joses

    • Origin:

      Greek variation of Joseph, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "Jehovah increases"

    • Description:

      Greek variation of Joseph used in the New Testament. Joses is one of those names that feels at once novel and familiar, perhaps because it also sounds like Moses. An intriguing option.
  17. Obed

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "servant of God"

    • Description:

      This quirky Old Testament name has potential, as parents are digging deeper into the Bible to find names for their children. It has also been used as a nickname for Obediah.
  18. Truth

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Meaning:

      "the state of being the case"

    • Description:

      True has become an accepted first and middle name; Truth makes an even stronger statement. And with nearly 150 baby boys named Truth in the US in the most recent year counted, as many as were named Ross, the word name is edging up on the Top 1000.
  19. Efe

    • Origin:

      Turkish

    • Meaning:

      "brave, older brother"

    • Description:

      Efe is derived from the Greek word éfivos, meaning "adolescent."
  20. Estes

    • Origin:

      English, Welsh, and Spanish surname

    • Meaning:

      "of the East"

    • Description:

      For some, a name that will evoke the beauty of the national park in the Colorado Rockies.

Want to keep track of your favorite names?

Create an account and you can create lists, keep track of favorites, and even be alerted when there is new content posted about a name.