One-Syllable Boy Names
336 one-syllable boy names with meanings, U.S. popularity, and audio pronunciation on every page.
Looking for girl names instead? One-Syllable Girl Names →
A single beat carries surprising weight on a boy. It is the sound of a name being called across a field, and it is why so many families land on one-syllable boy names after months of trying longer ones on for size. The sharpest of them hit like a drum: Jax, Cruz, Bryce and Zane are quick, current and impossible to mumble. There is no shortening these, no second version to correct on the first day of school — what you write on the birth certificate is what he will be called for the rest of his life, and there is something clean about that.
The other half of this shelf is older and steadier. Reed, Wade and Clark have a mid-century American solidity to them, the sort of names that sound competent before he has done a single thing. Boone and Wells bring the frontier in; Hank is pure warmth and front-porch friendliness; Rhys adds a Welsh edge that stands out on any American roster. If you want one syllable that still feels a little formal, Pierce and Briggs do it without adding a second beat.
Every name below opens to its full page — a sourced meaning, its U.S. popularity, and a clear audio pronunciation so you can hear it before you fall for it.
One-Syllable Boy Names
Blake#316 in the U.S.From the Old English 'blac' (pale, fair) or 'blaec' (dark, black) — an interesting paradox mean▶Zane#324 in the U.S.Generally considered an anglicized form of John, from the Hebrew Yochanan, meaning 'God is grac▶Cruz#331 in the U.S.From the Spanish and Portuguese word 'cruz', meaning cross, derived from Latin 'crux'. In the C▶Jax#342 in the U.S.Short form of Jackson or Jaxon, themselves forms of John (from Hebrew Yochanan, 'God has been g▶Wade#344 in the U.S.From the Old English 'wadan', meaning to go or to advance (especially through water), or from a▶Wells#347 in the U.S.From the Old English 'wiell' or 'wella', meaning spring, stream, or well — a topographic surnam▶Kade#349 in the U.S.From the Old Welsh 'cad' (battle) or Old English elements, possibly meaning 'spirit of battle'.▶Briggs#356 in the U.S.From an Old Norse or Old English place name, a plural form of 'brig' or 'bridge', meaning 'dwel▶Bryce#357 in the U.S.From the Scottish Gaelic 'Bricius' or possibly from Celtic 'brig' (high, strong). Saint Brice o▶Clark#377 in the U.S.Occupational name from Old English clerc, meaning a scribe, scholar, or clergyman, itself from ▶Jay#392 in the U.S.Used as a given name from the bird name jay (from Old French jai), or as a short form of names ▶Rhys#412 in the U.S.From Welsh Rhys meaning ardor, enthusiasm, or passion; a historic Welsh royal and warrior name▶Hank#413 in the U.S.Short form of Henry or Hankin (medieval diminutive of John/Johannes), from Germanic Heimrich me▶Reed#419 in the U.S.From Old English read meaning red; used as a surname for red-haired people, and also related to▶Boone#423 in the U.S.English surname from Old French bon meaning good or boon meaning a blessing or benefit; also as▶Pierce#505 in the U.S.Medieval English form of Piers, itself the Anglo-Norman French form of Peter, from Latin Petrus▶Kyle#509 in the U.S.From Scottish Gaelic caol meaning 'narrow' or 'narrow strait,' referring to a narrow channel of▶Frank#514 in the U.S.From the Germanic tribal name Frank (the Franks), possibly derived from an ancient word for 'ja▶Tripp#522 in the U.S.English nickname/surname name, derived from 'trip' in the sense of a journey or traveler; also ▶Roy#525 in the U.S.From the Old French roi meaning 'king,' used as a nickname; alternatively derived from the Scot▶Ridge#530 in the U.S.From Old English hrycg meaning 'spine' or 'ridge,' referring to a long raised strip of land; us▶Troy#533 in the U.S.From the English surname Troy, derived from a French place name (Troyes in Aube, France) or fro▶Scott#534 in the U.S.From the English and Scottish surname Scott, meaning 'a Scot' or 'a person from Scotland,' deri▶Bruce#536 in the U.S.From the Scottish surname Bruce, derived from the Norman French place name Brix (or Brieuse) in▶Cal#543 in the U.S.Short form of Calvin (from Latin Calvinus, meaning 'bald,' from calvus) or Caleb (from Hebrew K▶Drew#553 in the U.S.Short form of Andrew, from Greek Andreas, derived from aner/andros meaning 'man' or 'manly'; us▶Saul#557 in the U.S.From Hebrew Sha'ul, from sha'al meaning 'to ask' or 'to inquire,' giving the meaning 'asked for▶Seth#581 in the U.S.From Hebrew Sheth meaning 'appointed' or 'placed,' referring to the third son of Adam and Eve i▶Tru#591 in the U.S.Modern creative short form derived from English true, meaning 'faithful,' 'loyal,' or 'genuine,▶Krew#601 in the U.S.Phonetic spelling variant of English crew, meaning a group of people working together; used as ▶Reese#603 in the U.S.Ardor, enthusiasm, fire; English form of Welsh Rhys (ardor, enthusiasm)▶Koen#623 in the U.S.Dutch short form of Conrad or Konrad, from Old High German Kuonrat, composed of kuon ('bold,' '▶Zayd#633 in the U.S.From Arabic zayd (زيد), from the root z-y-d meaning 'to increase,' 'to grow,' or 'abundance.' Z▶Shane#636 in the U.S.Anglicized form of the Irish Seán, itself derived from the Old French Jehan and ultimately from▶Chris#646 in the U.S.Short form of Christopher or Christian, from Greek Christophoros meaning Christ-bearer, or from▶Sam#647 in the U.S.Short form of Samuel, from Hebrew Shemu'el meaning heard by God or name of God, composed of she▶Wayne#655 in the U.S.From the Old English occupational surname waegn meaning wagon or cart, referring to a wagon mak▶Layne#662 in the U.S.Variant spelling of Lane, from Old English lane meaning a narrow road or path between hedges or▶Creed#663 in the U.S.From the English word creed, from Latin credo meaning I believe; a statement of faith or core p▶Chaim#666 in the U.S.From Hebrew chayyim meaning life or lives; a plural form evoking the fullness of life; used in ▶Zaid#677 in the U.S.From Arabic zayd or ziyad meaning growth, abundance, or increase; Zayd ibn Harithah was a compa▶Shawn#682 in the U.S.Anglicized form of Seán, the Irish form of John, from Hebrew Yochanan meaning God is gracious o▶Dax#692 in the U.S.From the French city Dax, derived from the Latin Aquae Tarbellicae and later d'Ax; also used as▶Duke#695 in the U.S.Leader; nobleman; from Latin dux (leader, commander) via Old French duc, denoting the highest r▶Mac#696 in the U.S.Son of; from Scottish Gaelic and Irish Mac, the prefix meaning 'son of' in Gaelic patronymic su▶Wes#716 in the U.S.Short form of Wesley or Weston, from Old English west (west) combined with either leah (meadow,▶Jase#717 in the U.S.Short form or alternate spelling of Jason, from the Greek Iason (Ἰάσων) meaning 'healer,' from ▶Lee#727 in the U.S.From Old English leah meaning 'meadow,' 'clearing,' or 'woodland clearing'; one of the most com▶Hugh#732 in the U.S.From the Old French Hugues, from Old High German Hugo or Hug, meaning 'heart,' 'mind,' or 'spir▶Case#733 in the U.S.Short form of Casey, from the Irish Gaelic Cathasaigh, meaning 'alert' or 'watchful'; also rela▶Clyde#743 in the U.S.From the River Clyde in Scotland, from the Brythonic/Old Welsh Clouta or Clota, possibly meanin▶Trace#758 in the U.S.A path, track, or trail; from Old French trace meaning track or path, ultimately from the Latin▶Reign#772 in the U.S.Royal rule or sovereignty; from Old French reigne and Latin regnum meaning rule, kingdom, or th▶Truce#774 in the U.S.Peace or armistice; from Middle English trewes, Old English treow meaning faith, pledge, or agr▶Riggs#776 in the U.S.Son of Ridge or one who lives by a ridge; an English surname from the Old English hrycg meaning▶Blaze#781 in the U.S.Flame or fire; from Old English blaese meaning fire or firebrand, or from the Latin name Blasiu▶Ray#792 in the U.S.Counsel protector; a short form of Raymond from Old High German Raginmund, composed of ragin me▶Crue#797 in the U.S.Crew or a company of people; a modern American phonetic spelling of the word crew, from Old Fre▶Keith#801 in the U.S.Wood or forest; a Scottish surname from the Gaelic Ceitheach or the place name Keith, meaning w▶Zeke#803 in the U.S.God will strengthen; a short form of Ezekiel, from the Hebrew Yechezkel meaning God strengthens▶Brock#810 in the U.S.Badger; from Old English brocc meaning badger, a strong Celtic-origin word for the animal, used▶Jones#811 in the U.S.Son of John or God is gracious; the most common Welsh surname, meaning son of John, where John ▶Ty#813 in the U.S.Short form of Tyler (tile maker), Tyson (son of Ty), or Tyrone (land of Owen in Irish); also us▶Jrue#817 in the U.S.A unique modern American invention or creative respelling of Drew (from Andrew, meaning 'manly'▶Dane#821 in the U.S.From the Old English Dene or the demonym Dane, referring to a person from Denmark; used as a gi▶Drake#827 in the U.S.From Old English draca and Old Norse dreki, meaning 'dragon' or 'serpent'; also the standard En▶Flynn#828 in the U.S.Anglicized form of the Irish Gaelic surname O'Flynn, meaning 'descendant of Flann', where Flann▶Bjorn#829 in the U.S.From the Old Norse bjorn meaning 'bear', one of the most common and ancient elements in Norse m▶Ben#843 in the U.S.Short form of Benjamin (son of the right hand) or Benedict (blessed); also used as a standalone▶Neil#851 in the U.S.Anglicized form of the Irish Gaelic Niall, whose meaning is debated; most likely from an Old Ir▶Bear#853 in the U.S.From the Old English bera and Old Norse bjorn, both meaning 'bear'; used as a given name evokin▶Rex#859 in the U.S.From the Latin rex (king), the direct Latin word for a monarch; used as a given name evoking ro▶Lance#862 in the U.S.Short form of Lancelot (Old French/Germanic, meaning 'land' or 'territory'), or directly from t▶Zev#866 in the U.S.From the Hebrew ze'ev meaning 'wolf'; the wolf was a symbol of strength, cunning, and fierce co▶Coast#875 in the U.S.From Old French coste and Latin costa meaning rib, side, or edge; used as a given name evoking ▶Grey#876 in the U.S.Grey; grey-haired; from Old English graeg (grey, grey-colored)▶Trey#890 in the U.S.From Middle English and Old French treis meaning three; traditionally given to a third child, a▶Laith#896 in the U.S.From Arabic laith (also layth), meaning lion; a name evoking strength, courage, and nobility, u▶Kael#903 in the U.S.Modern form of the Irish Gaelic name Caol meaning slender or narrow; also used as a variant of ▶Rey#908 in the U.S.From Spanish rey meaning king; also used as a variant of the English name Ray, itself a short f▶Beck#913 in the U.S.From Old Norse bekkr meaning a stream or small brook; a topographic surname for someone living ▶Stone#916 in the U.S.From Old English stan meaning stone or rock; a topographic surname for someone living near a no▶Leif#917 in the U.S.From Old Norse leifr meaning heir, descendant, or one who is left (as an inheritance); also rel▶Heath#932 in the U.S.From Old English haeth meaning a tract of uncultivated open land, heathland or moorland; a topo▶Kreed#936 in the U.S.Phonetic variant spelling of Creed, from Old English creda and Latin credo (I believe); meaning▶Krue#937 in the U.S.Modern phonetic spelling of Crew, from Old French creue meaning an increase or new growth, late▶Veer#942 in the U.S.From Sanskrit vira meaning brave, heroic, or warrior, a core concept of valor in Hindu and Jain▶Khai#947 in the U.S.Crown; royalty; from Vietnamese khai (to open, to begin) or Arabic kha'i (letter name); also as▶Jon#951 in the U.S.Simplified spelling variant of John, from Hebrew Yochanan meaning Yahweh is gracious, one of th▶Gian#956 in the U.S.Italian short form of Giovanni, itself the Italian form of John, from Hebrew Yochanan meaning Y▶Zen#959 in the U.S.Meditation; from Japanese zen, from Chinese chan, from Sanskrit dhyana (meditation, absorption)▶Kase#964 in the U.S.Bold; variant of Case, from Old French casse (container, case) or Irish Gaelic Cathasach (vigil▶Dash#967 in the U.S.To run with speed; to move quickly; also a short horizontal mark in writing; from Old Norse das▶Beaux#970 in the U.S.French word and name beaux meaning beautiful, handsome, or fine; the plural of beau, from Old F▶Van#972 in the U.S.As a Dutch prefix, van means of or from, used in surnames denoting origin; also an Armenian nam▶Gage#973 in the U.S.From Old French gage meaning pledge, security, or guarantee; also a surname from the same root ▶Cain#974 in the U.S.Spear; or acquisition; from Hebrew Qayin, possibly from qanah (to acquire, to get)▶True#986 in the U.S.Faithful, genuine; from Old English treowe (faithful, trustworthy)▶Joan#987 in the U.S.Spanish masculine form of John, from Hebrew Yochanan meaning Yahweh is gracious; in Spanish-spe▶Blaine#992 in the U.S.From Scottish Gaelic Blaen or the personal name Blaan, possibly meaning yellow or possibly lean▶Joe#994 in the U.S.Short form of Joseph, from Hebrew Yosef meaning he will add or God will increase, expressed thr▶Vance#996 in the U.S.Dweller near the marshes; from Middle English fens or fan (marsh, fen); or from a place called ▶Kace#999 in the U.S.Bold; vigilant; a K-spelling variant of Case or Casey, from Irish Gaelic Cathasach (vigilant) o▶Jaxx#1008 in the U.S.God is gracious; double-x spelling of Jax, which is a short form of Jackson (son of Jack, son o▶Mike#1011 in the U.S.Who is like God? — English short form of Michael, from Hebrew mi-ka-el (who is like God?)▶Lyle#1018 in the U.S.The island; from Old French l'isle (the island), a place-name for someone from an island▶Wren#1025 in the U.S.The wren; from Old English wrenna (the small brown songbird, Troglodytes troglodytes)▶Carl#1033 in the U.S.Free man; strong; from Germanic karl (free man, man, fellow) — the same root as Charles, Carlos▶Lev#1040 in the U.S.Heart; from Hebrew lev (heart); or lion, from Russian/Slavic lev (lion)▶Slade#1051 in the U.S.Valley; flat-bottomed valley; from Old English slaed (valley, dell, wooded hollow)▶Mael#1057 in the U.S.Prince; chief; leader; from Breton/Welsh mael (prince, chief, leader)▶Brett#1060 in the U.S.A Breton; from Britain; from Old French Bret (a Breton, a native of Brittany or Britain)▶Zeus#1073 in the U.S.Sky; shine; from Proto-Indo-European *dyeu- (to shine, the sky), giving Greek Zeus (king of the▶Shai#1086 in the U.S.Gift; from Hebrew shai (gift, present, offering)▶Dhruv#1088 in the U.S.The Pole Star; unwavering; fixed; from Sanskrit dhruva (fixed, firm, unwavering) — the Pole Sta▶Jream#1095 in the U.S.Dream; a creative phonetic spelling of Dream, with the D replaced by J to create an entirely ne▶Blaise#1105 in the U.S.Lisping; stammering; from Latin Blasius (possibly from blaesus: stammering, lisping)▶Fox#1111 in the U.S.The fox; cunning, clever; from Old English fox (the fox animal), used as a byname and then a su▶Coen#1119 in the U.S.Bold advisor; a Dutch short form of Koenraad (Conrad), from Germanic kuoni (brave, bold) + rad ▶Sol#1135 in the U.S.Sun; from Spanish sol (sun) and Latin sol (sun, solar deity)▶Jean#1139 in the U.S.God is gracious; French masculine form of John, from Hebrew Yohanan (Yahweh is gracious)▶Ren#1145 in the U.S.Lotus; love; from Japanese ren (lotus, water lily) and Chinese rén (benevolence, humaneness)▶Ash#1147 in the U.S.Ash tree; from Old English aesc (the ash tree, Fraxinus excelsior)▶Kit#1150 in the U.S.Pure; follower of Christ; English pet form of Christopher (Greek Christophoros: bearer of Chris▶Ralph#1152 in the U.S.Wolf counsel; advice from the wolf; from Old Norse Ráðúlfr (ráð: counsel + úlfr: wolf)▶Tzvi#1168 in the U.S.Deer; gazelle; from Hebrew tzvi (deer, gazelle — an animal associated with swiftness, beauty, a▶Psalm#1173 in the U.S.Sacred song; hymn; from Greek psalmos (sacred song played on a stringed instrument), from psall▶Vaughn#1187 in the U.S.Small; little; from Welsh fychan (small, little, junior) — a diminutive suffix that became a su▶Marc#1191 in the U.S.Of Mars; warrior; French form of Mark/Marcus, from Latin Marcus (of the god Mars, the Roman god▶Kye#1195 in the U.S.Earth; sea; a spelling variant of Kai, from Hawaiian kai (sea) or Welsh Cai/Kay (a form of the ▶Kole#1200 in the U.S.Coal; dark; swarthy; K-spelling variant of Cole, from Middle English col (charcoal, coal) or a ▶Cove#1207 in the U.S.Small bay; sheltered inlet; from Old English cofa (room, chamber, bay) — a small sheltered inde▶Gus#1212 in the U.S.Great; venerable; worthy of respect; English pet form of Augustus or Gustave, from Latin august▶Lux#1223 in the U.S.Light, radiance, illumination▶Cayde#1235 in the U.S.Round, barrel; short and stout▶Kolt#1256 in the U.S.Young horse, colt▶Kruz#1273 in the U.S.Cross, the Christian cross▶Will#1283 in the U.S.Resolute protector, strong-willed guard▶Bronx#1294 in the U.S.Bronck's farm; from the Bronx borough of New York▶Trent#1299 in the U.S.The trespasser; the flooding river▶Dale#1306 in the U.S.Valley, low-lying land between hills▶Jai#1307 in the U.S.Victory, triumph, success▶Ved#1308 in the U.S.Sacred knowledge, the Vedas▶Kross#1311 in the U.S.The cross, crossroads▶Rafe#1315 in the U.S.God has healed, divine healer▶Hans#1324 in the U.S.God is gracious, God is good▶West#1338 in the U.S.The west direction; toward the setting sun▶Gray#1343 in the U.S.The color gray; grey-haired▶Jad#1347 in the U.S.Gift, generous, God's gift▶Roan#1350 in the U.S.Little red-haired one; roan color▶Jet#1353 in the U.S.Jet-black gemstone; rapid flight▶Krish#1355 in the U.S.All-attractive, divine, beloved of all▶Saif#1356 in the U.S.Sword, blade, a sharp sword▶Ross#1359 in the U.S.Headland, promontory; high cape of land▶Glenn#1362 in the U.S.Valley; narrow mountain valley▶Ean#1368 in the U.S.God is gracious; Gaelic form of John▶Steele#1387 in the U.S.Steel; strong as steel, the metal▶Zack#1388 in the U.S.God has remembered, the Lord remembers▶Dev#1392 in the U.S.Divine, god, deity▶Juelz#1395 in the U.S.Jewels, precious gems; creative variant▶Dov#1403 in the U.S.Bear, the bear▶Joao#1405 in the U.S.God is gracious, God is good▶Cru#1408 in the U.S.Crew, close group; cross▶Judd#1410 in the U.S.Praised, celebrated, praised one▶Zade#1414 in the U.S.Increase, abundance, prosperity▶Link#1417 in the U.S.A link, connection; short for Lincoln▶Nick#1418 in the U.S.Victory of the people▶Tahj#1419 in the U.S.Crown, the crown, crowned one▶Cam#1422 in the U.S.Beloved; crooked nose; warrior▶Dwayne#1423 in the U.S.Little dark one; dark-colored▶Niam#1439 in the U.S.Bright, radiant, of golden beauty▶Ryu#1449 in the U.S.Dragon, the dragon▶Vince#1452 in the U.S.Conquering, victorious▶Kip#1456 in the U.S.From the pointed hill; young male sheep▶Mars#1457 in the U.S.God of war; the red planet▶Taj#1461 in the U.S.Crown, the crown, crowned one▶Kaine#1468 in the U.S.Warrior; a tribute▶Wynn#1927 in the U.S.Fair, white, or blessed; from the Old Welsh and Old English word wyn or gwyn meaning fair or wh▶Zaine#2228 in the U.S.beauty, grace▶Dream#2235 in the U.S.a dream, vision▶Lars#2244 in the U.S.crowned with laurel▶Ripp#2249 in the U.S.from Ripley: 'rippel' (grove, thicket) + 'leah' (clearing, meadow), i.e. a clearing in the wood▶Roel#2250 in the U.S.famous ruler▶Saad#2251 in the U.S.happiness, good fortune▶Caine#2258 in the U.S.spear or acquired one▶June#2266 in the U.S.youth, Juno's month▶Lynx#2268 in the U.S.lynx wildcat, the bright one▶Rayne#2275 in the U.S.rain, counsel-power▶Skye#2278 in the U.S.sky, Isle of Skye▶Knoxx#2288 in the U.S.from the hills, bold▶Quade#2296 in the U.S.descendant of Uaid, strong▶Saige#2298 in the U.S.wise one, sage herb▶Glen#2315 in the U.S.valley, narrow glen▶Job#2318 in the U.S.the persecuted, patient▶Layth#2320 in the U.S.lion, brave warrior▶Soul#2329 in the U.S.The soul; spirit; essential being; from Old English sawol (soul, spirit, the animating principl▶Cy#2339 in the U.S.Lordly; sun; a short form of Cyrus (from Old Persian Kurush: sun, or throne) or Cyril (from Gre▶Kal#2349 in the U.S.Voice of God; a short form of Kalel (Superman's Kryptonian birth name) or an independent short ▶Cael#2369 in the U.S.Slender; victorious people; from Irish Gaelic Cael (slender, narrow) or a variant of Caelum (La▶Dru#2373 in the U.S.Strong; brave; a short form of Drew (from Andrew: defender of men) or an independent name from ▶
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Frequently Asked
What are good one-syllable boy names?
Strong, single-beat names like Reed, Blake, Zane and Boone. They are complete as written and need no nickname.