230+ One Syllable Boy Names

  1. Cru
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Crew or short form of Cruz or Crusoe
    • Description:

      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.
  2. Ken
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Kenneth; Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "born of fire or handsome; healthy and strong"
    • Description:

      In many minds this one belongs to Barbie, but with such positive meanings and international connections, can Ken make the transition to usability again?
  3. Blues
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Meaning:

      "slow, sad, songs of lamentation; a music genre of black American folk origin"
    • Description:

      While Ivy Blue has made the color a more popular choice for girls, Blues — as in the musical style — could feel more masculine. While some may find it a sad and gloomy choice, thanks to the phrase "having the blues", the musical connection gives it greater potential. It could make for a laid-back name that oozes cool and works as an alternative for those wanting to avoid more obvious choices like Indigo or Hendrix.
  4. Blues
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Meaning:

      "slow, sad, songs of lamentation; a music genre of black American folk origin"
    • Description:

      While Ivy Blue has made the color a more popular choice for girls, Blues — as in the musical style — could feel more masculine. While some may find it a sad and gloomy choice, thanks to the phrase "having the blues", the musical connection gives it greater potential. It could make for a laid-back name that oozes cool and works as an alternative for those wanting to avoid more obvious choices like Indigo or Hendrix.
  5. Tad
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Thaddeus, Aramaic
    • Meaning:

      "gift of God"
    • Description:

      An approachable mini name that could go on the birth certificate, but may work best as a nickname. Full name options include Thaddeus, Theodore, and Thomas, which was the given name of Abe's son Tad Lincoln. Taddy is a rare alternative to Teddy.
  6. 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.
  7. Oakes
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "near the oaks"
    • Description:

      One part nature name, one part surname name. Oakes gives you the best of both worlds.
  8. North
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Meaning:

      "cardinal direction of north"
    • Description:

      A lot of attention was drawn to this name when Kim Kardashian and Kanye West announced it as the name of their baby daughter, making it instantly unisex.
  9. Tex
    • Origin:

      Place-name, nickname for state of Texas resident
    • Description:

      Despite its rakish western charm, still remains a cowboy costume without a real persona inside.
  10. Vern
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Vernon, English
    • Meaning:

      "place of alders"
    • Description:

      Until recently, Vernon and its short form Vern seemed like grandpa names not ready for revival, but now we can see it happening. Never the popular, Vern works particularly well as a middle name.
  11. Cas
    • Origin:

      Short form of Casper, Persian
    • Meaning:

      "Imperial"
    • Description:

      This short-but-strong name is popular for boys in The Netherlands. While Cass is usually a female name in the U.S., it feels just as right for boys.
  12. Pike
    • Origin:

      American animal name
    • Meaning:

      "pike, a fish"
    • Description:

      The field of nature names is constantly expanding to include all species of flowers and trees and animals and birds and even fish. In addition to its appeal for anglers, Pike recalls Zebulon Pike, the explorer who discovered and gave his name to Pike's Peak.
  13. Mike
    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Michael
    • Description:

      Unlike Jake or Sam, few parents put Mike on the birth certificate.
  14. Pim
    • Origin:

      Dutch diminutive of Willem or William
    • Meaning:

      "resolute protection"
    • Description:

      The short, cute Pim is a Top 100 boys' name in The Netherlands though little-known outside that country. But in a family overrun with Williams, Pim could make an original nickname setting a modern child apart from father Will and grandpa Bill.
  15. Steel
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      Hard and shiny, Steel projects an image that's smooth, macho...and cold to the touch.
  16. Steel
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      Hard and shiny, Steel projects an image that's smooth, macho...and cold to the touch.
  17. Tig
    • Origin:

      English diminutive of names that start with T
    • Description:

      Old-school nickname with serious charm.
  18. Zayd
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "increase, growth"
    • Description:

      Zayd (or its most common variant Zaid), an old and still well used Arabic name, was a enslaved man whom Muhammad adopted as his son.
  19. Hyde
    • Origin:

      Medieval measure of land, or English surname
    • Meaning:

      "hide"
    • Description:

      Hyde, of course, is most familiar as a surname -- as in Mr. Hyde, evil alter ego of Dr. Jeckyll. Unless Hyde is a family name or you have some other excellent reason for using it, we think you could do better.
  20. Quay
    • Origin:

      French word name
    • Meaning:

      "wharf"
    • Description:

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