One-Syllable Girl Names We Love

If a picture can say 1,000 words, a beautiful, one-syllable girl name can say a million.

Names that end in A are the most popular these days. The top girl names of 2022 included Olivia, Emma, Amelia, Ava, Sophia and Mia — all of which are beautiful. But there are bound to be half a dozen Emmas in every kindergarten class a few years from now. One-syllable names, however, are less common, especially for girls.

These short names are memorable and unique without resorting to over-the-top, unconventional spellings.

Maeve

Canva

Name origin: Irish

Irish names, including this one-syllable superstar, have risen dramatically in popularity in the past decade. Maeve comes from the name Medb, referring to the queen of the fairies in Irish folklore. Need we say more?

If your little girl doesn’t want want to be a fairy queen, we’ll take the name instead because we totally do.

Grace

Canva

Name origin: Latin

Grace is a virtue name meaning “blessing.” It also has ties to Greek mythology. The Three Graces were nature goddesses who were known for their joy, brilliance and life-giving abilities. Plus, it’s the name of Grace Kelly, a princess and actress known for her dramatic beauty.

The word itself has a number of meanings. To show grace to someone is to show kindness even when it isn’t deserved — a practice we all should live by.

Wren

Canva

Name origin: English

Wren is the name of a small songbird known for its lilting, melodic voice. In Ireland, wrens were believed to be the bearers of prophecies and the magicians of the avian kingdom.

The name Wren shouts “free spirit.”

Sage

Canva

Name origin: Latin

Sage isn’t just a name picked by granola moms from Portland, Oregon. Sure, it’s gender-neutral and nature-inspired, but it also means healthy and wise. The Seven Sages of Greece were philosophers who taught fundamental principles of how to live a good life, like “moderation is best in all things.”

The world could use more little philosophers, eh?

Pearl

Canva

Name origin: Latin

Diamonds, rubies and pearls, oh my! Pearl is the birthstone for the month of June. It was a top 25 name in the late 1800s, but parents have fallen for it again thanks to its vintage vibe.

In case it feels to stayed for your taste, it was also used as an alter ego name for rocker Janis Joplin.

Eve

Canva

Name origin: Hebrew

It should come as no surprise that Eve is a biblical name. Coming from the Hebrew name Chawwah, Eve means “to breathe” or “to live.”

Forget the negative association of getting humans kicked out of the Garden of Eden. Eve is a gorgeous, classically beautiful name that strikes a perfect balance between refined and down-to-earth.

Sloane

Canva

Name origin: Irish

Another fantastic, one-syllable baby name is both trendy and gender-neutral. Sloane means “warrior,” inspiring little adventurers to take life’s challenges head on.

It’s particularly popular in Irish families, but its fighting spirit has earned it a spot in the top 500 baby names this year.

Blythe

Canva

Name origin: English

Blythe is a gender-neutral name from Britain that translates to “happy.” Admittedly, no baby is happy all the time, but that’s OK.

Naming a baby Blythe can send an important message to your little one: You’re the happiest thing that’s ever happened to us, and you bring us joy every day.

Elle

Canva

Name origin: Hebrew and Greek

Elle is related to the Greek name Elaine and the Hebrew name Eleanor — both of which mean “God is my light.” In French, it also means “she.”

There are many variations to play with, like Ella and Ellie, but we love Elle just as it is. Just think about Elle Woods from “Legally Blonde” — fierce, feminine and fantastic.

Liv

Canva

Name origin: Norse

Liv is a Scandinavian baby name that’s trending of late. It means, unsurprisingly, “life.” New babies are the greatest symbol of new beginnings, and welcoming one into the family is like starting life anew. How fitting!

Just ask the daughter of Steven Tyler. Liv Tyler was named by her mother who got it from a TV Guide magazine featuring Norwegian actress Liv Ullmann.

Lux

Canva

Name origin: Latin

At first glance, you might think Lux means luxurious. But it has nothing to do with designer shoes. It means “light” in Latin.

It’s an unusual name, but it has gained traction in parts of the U.S., Colombia and Cambodia.

Quinn

Canva

Name origin: Irish

Quinn, a popular gender-neutral name, has a light, airy feel but a surprisingly serious meaning. Coming from the Old Irish word Ceann, it means “chief,” representing someone with great wisdom and reason.

The name Quinn will surely inspire confidence and leadership skills since it’s basically a play on the word queen.

Rae

Canva

Name origin: Hebrew

Originally, Rae was used as a short version of Rachel, meaning “one who is favored tenderly.” It also alludes to the gentle spirit of the ewe, known for purity and peacefulness.

It’s a biblical name, but it can just as easily represent a ray of sunshine, banishing darkness wherever little Rae travels.

Fern

Canva

Name origin: English

The origins of the name fern are self-explanatory, but the meaning is cooler than you might expect. Ferns are rich in symbolism and history. The green, leafy plant was around 100 million years before dinosaurs walked the planet. In addition to being ancient, they have no flowers, so people weren’t sure how they reproduced. It seemed magical, so they became a representation of eternal life and miracles.

Ferns are also used for their medicinal benefits. If that’s not enough, Fern is also the name of the young protagonist of the beloved children’s book “Charlotte’s Web.”

Tai

Canva

Name origin: Chinese

If you’re looking for a short name with a big meaning, search no more. Tai means “vast” or “extreme,” and it’s perfect for babies born into a family of avid adventurers with big ambitions.

Baby Tai will even share her name with former Olympic figure skater Tai Babilonia.