Overall, one-syllable names aren't as popular for girls as they are for boys. But there are still several dozen single-syllable names among the top 1,000 baby girl names in the U.S. right now.
Currently, these are most popular one-syllable girl names:
- Grace (ranked 18th in 2010)
- Claire (ranked 53rd)
- Brooke (ranked 72nd)
- Faith (ranked 74th)
- Paige (ranked 99th)
- Jade (ranked 115th)
- Reese (ranked 136th)
- Kate (ranked 209th)
What are some of the benefits of one-syllable girl names?
I think the biggest is that these names are so pleasantly simple. One-syllable names trend to be easy to say, and most are also easy to spell. (Though names with several variants, like Claire -- also spelled "Clare" and "Clair" -- can sometimes cause confusion.)
Related to this is the fact that many come across as unpretentious. They tend to be unobtrusive names that don't vie for attention in the same way that long, elaborate names do.
Another benefit is their ability to add balance to a name. Will your baby have a long or complicated surname? A straightforward one-syllable first name could be a great way to balance it out!
One more is the gender-neutral feel that most of these names have. Notice how many of the names above end not with a gender-revealing sound (e.g. an a-sound, or an e-sound) but with a gender-neutral sound (e.g. an n-sound, or an s-sound).
And it's not just sound -- it's also usage. Names like Quinn and Sky are given just as often to boys as they are to girls, making them truly gender-neutral overall.
What's your favorite one-syllable girl name? Let us know in the forum!
 | 1-Syllable Girl Names Need a name that's short and sweet? Wondering which 1-syllable girl names are the most popular in the U.S. right now? Click here to learn more! |
