One Syllable Names for Boys

Gender-neutral choice with the covetable X initial. Xue's snowy meaning makes it especially well suited to a winter-born child.

A Blaise/Blaze hybrid that maintains neither the history of Blaise nor the wordiness of Blaze.

German philosopher and revolutionary socialist Karl Marx will be most people's immediate association with this uncommon name. The author of The Communist Manifesto and Das Kapital is widely considered to be the father of international communism.

Short form of Oliver or Olivier.

Even if you love Brian Eno, this doesn't make the most melodic name.

Old-fashioned, conjuring up an ardent suitor in a bow tie and straw boater.

This unusual English word name and surname was the middle name of American sci-fi writer Philip K. Dick, after his mother's maiden name. Its striking sound and appealing meaning make it a promising virtue name possibility for either gender.

Name of the star Zeta Puppis, which originally belonged to the former constellation Argo Navis, depicting the mythical ship of the Argonauts.

Sims is a medieval English surname, also found in Ireland and Scotland, that has many variations all deriving from the Hebrew Biblical name Simon. Sims is a simple, straightforward, yet proper-sounding name that works well as a first, whether you find it in your family tree or pluck the idea from someone else's. It was used for only five boys in the US in 2013.

Macho-er than thou.

Vowel names are popular, but this word-name possibility takes it to an extreme.

Has too many slangy connotations to be considered.

Treeve is an alternate spelling for Treave, a Cornish place name that is virtually unused in the US.

Most color names, like Scarlet and Violet, are definitely female, but not this one. Brown is as rich and warm as the tone it denotes, though we must admit the Italian version Bruno has more spark and substance.

Old-school nicknames for boys are back, and Lenn is a great candidate for revival. Single-N Len may not be as cool as this Dutch version, originally a nickname for Lennart.