One Syllable Names for Boys

Super-short names are popular with Dutch-speaking parents, and this shortened form has come a long way from the original Aemilianus. Mil is in the Top 100 in Belgium.

With its appealing double-a configuration, this is the name of an Israeli kibbutz on the Galilee beach. For girls, Saar is a popular modern name in the Netherlands, a shortened form of Sarah.

Familiar through the renowned children's author Roald Dahl, this Germanic surname was traditionally given to those who lived near a valley. Dahlia is up and coming for girls, leading the way for this gender neutral option. Dahl was used on a character in the book The Last Fallen Moon by Graci Kim.

You don't need to choose the longer form of this unusual name to arrive at Cabe, brother of Gabe and Abe. This earthy, unusual, friendly nickname-name was given to a handful of boys last year and can make an intriguing choice. But be warned: It will forever be mistaken, at least at first hearing, for the more familiar Gabe.

Bridges is one of the new last names as first names ending in S that are so fashionable right now, joining Brooks, Wells, and Banks.

Tux can be used as a short form of Tucker, but you're likely more familiar with it as a name for black and white cats. As a pet name, Tux comes from tuxedo — black and white men's formal evening wear. The tuxedo was named after Tuxedo Park, a development for the New York elite and the site of the country club where the tuxedo was first worn.

Actor French Stewart introduced this one to the lexicon. French is part word name, part place name, and part surname-name, reminiscent of celebrity baby names that reference a nationality rather than simply a place, such as Moroccan.

If Bear and Fox can make it as baby names, why not Tiger. The Spanish Tigre has a more gender-neutral feel.

The version of Rob used in George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire books and HBO's Game of Thrones.

Jayant is the name of the son of the Hindu God Indra. Its meaning is derived from the Sanskrit word Jaya, meaning victory.

Love the popular Noah but want to make it more distinctive? You can vary it to Noam, and going all the way to Noaz takes it from distinctive to unique.