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Short Baby Names

Short baby names are the brief, punchy picks — easy to say, simple to spell, and a clean pairing for longer or more complicated surnames.

356 names · 186 boys · 146 girls · 24 unisex · Updated Oct 2026

There's a lot to love about a short name. They're easy for a toddler to learn, simple for everyone to spell, and they balance nicely against a long last name.

This collection gathers brief, one- and two-syllable names from many origins — some sweet, some strong, all uncomplicated. Browse by gender, or sort to find the favorites.

Browse short baby names

Filter by gender, re-sort, and tap any name for its full meaning, origin, and popularity.

ace

One; the best; expert

BoyLatin, English
Traits:Short/Cool/Modern

aled

offspring

BoyIrish, English
Traits:Traditional/Short/Family

alfie

elf counsel

BoyEnglish
Traits:Short/Vintage/Magic

alys

From the Old French name Aalis, a short form of Adelais, itself a short form of the Germanic name Adalheidis (see Adelaide )

GirlEnglish, French
Traits:Rare/Short/Elegant

ava

Life, Bird, Like A Bird

GirlEnglish, Latin
Traits:Modern/Popular/Short

bell

Beautiful, church bell

GirlEnglish, French
Traits:Short/Simple/Vintage

britt

Exalted one, strong

UnisexEnglish
Traits:Short/Modern/Gender Neutral

cole

Coal black, swarthy, or victory of the people

BoyEnglish
Traits:Classic/Popular/Short

cora

Maiden, heart

GirlEnglish
Traits:Vintage/Elegant/Popular

cree

From the name of a Native American tribe of central Canada

UnisexEnglish, French
Traits:Unisex/Gender Neutral/Rare

crew

A band or company; a crew

BoyEnglish
Traits:Modern/Cool/Short

dane

From an English surname that was either a variant of the surname Dean or else an ethnic name referring to a person from Denmark

BoyEnglish
Traits:Surnames/Rare/Short

dean

Valley or church official

BoyEnglish
Traits:Classic/Timeless/Short

della

Noble; bright noble one (pet form of Adela/Adelaide)

GirlGermanic, English
Traits:Vintage/Retro/Short

edie

Prosperous in war; blessed (pet form of Edith)

GirlEnglish
Traits:Cute/Vintage/Short

effie

well-spoken

GirlIrish, English
Traits:Traditional/Vintage/Short

ella

Beautiful fairy maiden, all

GirlGermanic, English
Traits:Classic/Elegant/Popular

emi

Beautiful, Blessing, Charming

GirlEnglish
Traits:Short/Cute/Modern

enid

Probably derived from Welsh enaid meaning "soul, spirit, life"

GirlEnglish, French
Traits:Blessing/Literary/Rare

erin

From Éireann, the genitive case of Irish Gaelic Éire, meaning "Ireland"

GirlEnglish, Irish
Traits:Popular/Short/Traditional

eryn

From Éireann, the genitive case of Irish Gaelic Éire, meaning "Ireland"

GirlEnglish, Irish
Traits:Modern/Trendy/Rare

etta

Ruler of the home; little one (pet form of Henrietta/Loretta)

GirlEnglish, Germanic
Traits:Vintage/Retro/Short

evan

The Lord is gracious, young warrior

BoyEnglish
Traits:Modern/Short/Simple

evie

Life; living one (pet form of Eve or Evelyn)

GirlHebrew, English
Traits:Cute/Short/Sweet

ford

River crossing

BoyEnglish
Traits:Surnames/Modern/Bold

gene

Well-born, noble

BoyLatin, English
Traits:Vintage/Classic/Short

hallie

Dweller by the meadow; home ruler (variant of Hayley/Harriet)

GirlEnglish
Traits:Cute/Modern/Sweet

hope

Expectation, belief

GirlEnglish
Traits:Virtue/Short/Classic

ian

God is gracious, the Lord is merciful

BoyEnglish
Traits:Short/Classic/Literary

iolo

handsome lord

BoyIrish, English
Traits:Traditional/Short/Beauty

iyla

From the name of the island of Islay, which lies off of the west coast of Scotland

GirlEnglish, Irish
Traits:Modern/Trendy/Short

jace

The Lord is salvation

BoyHebrew, English
Traits:Modern/Short/Popular

jade

Stone of the side, precious green stone

GirlEnglish, Spanish
Traits:Gem/Nature/Short

jae

Blue Jay, Jaybird, Graceful Bird

UnisexEnglish
Traits:Short/Modern/Nature

jeni

Fair phantom or white wave

GirlEnglish
Traits:Short/Cute/Modern

jett

Black gemstone, intense black

BoyEnglish
Traits:Modern/Bold/Short

jonty

god is gracious

BoyHebrew, English
Traits:Short/Unique/Grace

joy

Happiness, delight

GirlEnglish, French
Traits:Virtue/Short/Simple

jules

Youthful, Downy, Bearded Youth

UnisexEnglish, Latin
Traits:Short/Classic/Literary

june

Young, born in June

GirlLatin, English
Traits:Seasonal/Vintage/Short

kace

Brave, Vigilant, Alert Warrior

BoyEnglish
Traits:Modern/Short/Courage

kade

Round; barrel; from an English byname

BoyEnglish
Traits:Short/Modern/Cool

kai

Sea, Ocean

UnisexEnglish
Traits:Modern/Nature/Short

kash

From an English occupational surname for a box maker, derived from Norman French casse meaning "case", from Latin capsa

BoyEnglish, Latin
Traits:Modern/Trendy/Surnames

kerr

rough ground, left-handed

BoyIrish, English
Traits:Traditional/Surnames/Short

king

Ruler, monarch

BoyEnglish
Traits:Royal/Bold/Modern

knox

Round hill

BoyEnglish
Traits:Modern/Bold/Short

kody

Variant of Cody, from an Irish surname meaning "descendant of the helpful one"

BoyEnglish
Traits:Modern/Trendy/Rare

lana

Light; harmony; little rock (short for Alana)

GirlIrish, English
Traits:Short/Cool/Modern

liam

Strong-willed warrior, resolute protector

BoyIrish, English
Traits:Brave/Modern/Popular

lila

Night, dark beauty, lilac

GirlLatin, English
Traits:Elegant/Short/Popular

lisa

Pledged to God or God is my oath

GirlHebrew, English
Traits:Classic/Timeless/Popular

lois

most desirable or superior

GirlLatin, English
Traits:Biblical/Vintage/Short

lyla

Night, dark beauty

GirlEnglish
Traits:Modern/Popular/Elegant

lynn

Lake, waterfall

UnisexEnglish
Traits:Classic/Short/Simple

maci

Weapon, hill

GirlEnglish
Traits:Modern/Popular/Cute

mae

Pearl; the month of May (variant of May/Mary)

GirlEnglish
Traits:Short/Vintage/Retro

maisie

Pearl (Scottish pet form of Margaret)

GirlEnglish
Traits:Cute/Vintage/Short

mane

Noble, great

BoyEnglish
Traits:Modern/Unique/Short

mei

Beautiful, plum

GirlEnglish
Traits:Short/Elegant/Exotic

Page 1 of 6 · 356 names total

Short Names — Questions, Answered

The things parents ask most about short baby names.

Keep exploring

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Like one of these short names? Test it against your surname for rhyme, rhythm and awkward initials before you commit.

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