One Syllable Names for Girls

Though Beatrice has the lovely Italian pronunciation bay-uh-TREE-chay, Bice has the problematic BEE-chay -- a bit too close to a word that would cause playground probs in the US. Italian cross-country skier Bice Vanzetta won two bronze medals at the Winter Olympics of 1992 and 2994.

Rarely given to baby girls, but we like the idea of it.

See LOUISE.

Ro- names are on the rise — think Roman, Rory, and Rowan — but straightforward and streamlined Row (and Rowe, Roe, and Ro) takes this trend to the next level. The pared-down single syllable gives Row an ultra-cool edge.

Klea was not used in ancient times, but can probably be connected to the Ancient Greek name Kleio, one of the nine Muses in mythology, and of couse also to Cleo. Meaning "glory", these names are distantly related to the Latin Clara.

This distinctive variation was chosen for their third daughter by the Eddie Murphys.

While the traditional Esmé is pronounced EZ-may, the Isme variation would suggest an IZ-may pronunciation.

Once a cowboyish old man name, Clem is now more commonly heard as a nickname for the fashionable Clementine, meaning "merciful one". Clemency, Clemence and Clementia are other possible long forms.

In keeping with other short names like PO/POE and BO, Coe is a surname that could easily move into first place. It has a sports hero factor as well, in Olympic runner Sebastian Coe--who later became a Member of Parliament.

Dolce is the Italian word for "sweet," derived from the Latin word dulcis of the same meaning. It's a rare feminine first name in Italy, more often seen as a surname, as in that of Domenico Dolce, co-founder of fashion house Dolce & Gabbana. The luxury fashion brand has inspired a number of baby girls to be given the name since D&G's launch in 1985.

Leyre is an important name in Navarre, Spain, as it is both the name of a mountain and an ancient monastery. It is derived from the Basque Leire, of uncertain origins. Both spellings currently rank among the Top 100 baby names in Spain.

This Arabic name, which can be used for either boys or girls, can also mean "wide-eyed" in the sense of someone who is studious and perceptive. Ayaan is most familiar to people in the West from its connection to Ayaan Hirsi Ali, a Somali women's right activist.

Very Brady Bunch.

This Dutch name is the equivalent of Gussie, a pet form of Augusta. Unlikely to work well outside of the Netherlands due to its challenging pronunciation.

A moderately common surname in two of the world's most populous countries. Helen Pai is one of the main writer of the TV series Gilmore Girls.

Marge used to be as common as Maggie or Megan, ranking on its own in the girls' Top 1000 from 1900 until right after World War II, when so many Old School names fell off the list in favor of a new generation cuter, perkier choices.