Confession: I play name games. When stuck cooling my heels waiting for something, or in a meeting so deadly dull I think my soul might leave my body, I find my pen scrawling names.

Here’s a recent one – an A-to-Z list of Single Syllable Names for Girls. I stalled out on a few letters. Any ideas?

A is for Ann.

B is for Blythe.

C is for Claire.

D is for Dee.

E is for Elle.

F is for Fern.

G is for Greer.

H is for Hope.

I is for …

J is for June.

K is for Kate.

L is for Liv.

M is for Mae.

N is for Nell.

O is for …

P is for Paige.

Q is for Quinn.

R is for Ruth.

S is for Sloane.

T is for True.

U is for …

V is for Vrai.

W is for Wren.

X is for Xan.

Y is for …

Z is for Zelle.

Okay, some of those are a stretch, especially Xan and Zelle. But I do love the spare simplicity of these names. On a playground packed with girls called Olivia and Isabella, June or Sloane really stands out.

What do you think of single-syllable names for girls? Got anything for I, O, and Y? And what would make your list?

About Abby Sandel

Whether you're naming a baby, or just all about names, you've come to the right place! Appellation Mountain is a haven for lovers of obscure gems and enduring classics alike.

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29 Comments

  1. I is for Ice or Isle
    O is for Oak
    U is for Un (Welsh for ‘one’ or ‘unique’, pronounced ‘Een’)
    V is for Vale/Veil

    Ok, I admit Oak sounds more like a boy’s name, but trees are unisex by nature, so… I rather like Ice for its beautiful meaning and regal sound. Un would never be pronounced right by English speakers and Welsh speakers would find it odd too, but it sounds quite nice! 😉

  2. My favourites 1 syllables to use would be Blythe, Clare, Fay/Fae, Jane, Lee, Mae, Niamh, and Wynne. I like Rose and Gwen on everyone else’s baby but could not use them.

    I like Dove but could only use it in the middle.

    I like-to-LOVE Dot, Kit, Pru, Cat, Clo, Meg, and Pip but only as nicknames. I’m not a nickname-name person by nature.

    Only a really bad person would use Lys instead of Lee, right? Tell me to stop thinking about it.

  3. Oh, this is a great post! Blair, Cate, Claire, Elle, Faye, Fleur, Gwen, June, Lark, Liv Nell, Pearl, Paige, Quinn, Rose, Roux, Sage, Tess, Wren – so many possibilities!

    Personally, I love Liv. It’s quirky yet familiar, and it’s got a great meaning – “life.” Another favorite is Tess, which feels classic because of its literary link yet modern because of its spunky flair. “To gather” is a nice enough meaning, but I’ve been told by some that the name is befitting of a mean girl – thoughts? And then, Quinn, my new obsession. I feel like Quinn is getting lots of attention among our female TV characters – okay, I can think of two – and even though I grew up with a boy Quinn and a girl Quinn, it seems so refreshing on a girl! Now, the “descendant of Conn” meaning is slightly lackluster, but Con names in general have nice meanings. So, yea, I could go for Liv and Tess, maybe Quinn and Tess, or even Quinn and Blair! These names sound so snappy!

    Is there a boy list?

    1. There’s NOT a boy list, but only because I never thought to do one, Lemon! I will, though – promise.

      And I’ve long loved Tess, even though I generally prefer more formal names.

      I recently read The Hunger Games trilogy – there’s a female character called Rue. I kind of love it, even though one of the possible meanings is regret. (The other is a shrub. I suspect the author was going for both meanings. She’s an amazing namer.)

  4. O could be for Orla or Olive, I is for Iona, Iona, Ivy or Isla and Y for Ynes or Yva. I’m pleased other poeple play name games too! 🙂