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Sometimes, the biggest personalities have the shortest names. Looking at the list of the most popular baby names of 2025, we've noticed a lot of one- and two-syllable names – especially with boys. Noah, Liam, Levi, Lucas, and Ezra are all the top 10, while Emma, Ellie, and Mia dominate on the girls' side. Let's take a look at some popular (and not-so-common) short names.
10 short names for baby boys
Brooks
Brooks is often a surname of English origin meaning "dweller by the brook." This name's popularity as a given name has recently spiked, sliding into the top 100 baby names in the United States in 2020. It's generally considered to be the masculine version of the feminine-leaning name Brooke, which we also love, for the record.
Fitz
Fitz is a fun name with a bit of preppy attitude. It's the prefix to several popular surnames, including Fitzwilliam, Fitzgerald, and Fitzpatrick – unsurprisingly, it derives from an Old French (and originally Latin) word meaning "son of."
Grant
Grant is an English name derived from the French grand, meaning "tall" or "large," though "grant" also means "to give." Largely used as a surname, this handsome name conjures a feeling of generosity.
Ian
Ian is the Gaelic version of the English name John, which itself is derived from the Hebrew name Yohanan, meaning "God is gracious."
Knox
An English name derived from a Scottish word meaning "round hill," Knox charted in the U.S. for the first time in 2009. (Gossip-mag millennials out there probably know that was one year after Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie used the name for their son.) It has steadily increased in popularity every year since then.
Jack
Jack has to be one of the strongest short names out there, especially because it's not considered a nickname for anything else. (Though it might technically be a diminutive of John.) It's been in the top 200 names for boys since 1900, but it's never been more popular than it is in the 2020s.
Leon
Leon is an ancient name that comes from the Greek word for "lion." This regal name is thought to be a variation of the longer name Leonard.
Liam
Short for William, Liam is one of the most common names for baby boys in recent years. It stands perfectly well on its own and has a fierce meaning: "guardian." The only issue with using this name is that your boy will probably know a bunch of other Liams!
Noah
Ah Noah, the only boy name more popular than Liam! Noah is a biblical name, notably the builder of the ark that saved all those animals. There are several versions of the name in different languages: Noé (French), Noa (Persian), and Nooh (Hindi), just to name a few.
Van
Van is a clever and cool nickname name, most often short for Evan, Ivan, or Vance. The most notable bearer of this name is Irish singer/songwriter Van Morrison, though it does also bring to mind the hippest of street/skate shoe companies, Vans.
10 short names for baby girls
Bri
Bri is another nickname name, often short for Brianna, which is the feminine version of Brian, a Celtic name meaning "high hill" or "power." It can also be short for Cambria, a fringe name that's actually the Latin form of the Welsh name for Wales, Cymru.
Claire
One of our favorite girl names that start with a C, Claire translates to "clear" or "bright" in Latin. It is not a nickname name and has been in the top 100 names for girls in the U.S. since 1998. Constantly hovering around the top 50, it's just the right amount of popular.
Cleo
Yes, Cleo is the short form of Cleopatra, but not many American parents are naming their kids after the famous Egyptian queen. Instead, Cleo has taken on a life of its own. It's a bit polarizing in the BabyCenter Community, with some users calling it "powerful" and "timeless," while others associate it with a '90s icon.
"Cleo makes me think of Miss Cleo, that psychic that used to have commercials on TV back in the day for Psychic Readers Network," one mom wrote.
Ellie
Ellie is a sweet and bright name that's easy on the ears and tongue – full of vowels and a pleasing double L. It stands alone just fine, but is also used as a nickname for Helen, Eleanor, or Ellen, or even Elizabeth. In Greek mythology, Ellie is the Anglicized name for Helle.
Mia
Originally short for Maria, Mia is also a nickname-name for Amelia and Emily (the latter of which it has far surpassed in popularity). In both Spanish and Italian, this name translates to "mine." (As in, "belongs to me." Not "underground treasure cave.")
Paige
Paige with Latin and Greek origins in words that mean "young helper" or "child." In medieval households, a page was a young boy in early training to be a knight. Paige hit its peak in popularity in 2003 and has been on the descent since then.
Rose
Most of us likely associate the name Rose with the romantic flower, but the name breaks down to something unexpected. It dates all the way back to a Germanic name, Hrodohaidis, which means "famous type." Interestingly enough, Rose is more popular as a middle name than it is as a first name.
Sloane
Sloane is a fierce name that is derived from a clan of Irish warriors: the Ó Sluaghadháins. This is a great name for a baby girl with Irish heritage or one born around St. Patrick's Day.
Vera
Vera is mainly a Slavic name meaning "faith," though it's also the Latin word for "true." Vera was far more popular in the early 20th century than it is now, but anything can happen.
Zora
Zora is an Arabic name that means "dawn" or "dawn's eye." Popular in the Czech Republic, Zora is a unique name in the U.S. and not one your daughter is guaranteed to hear at roll call over and over come her school years.
5 short gender-neutral names
Cal
Cal is a nickname name, most often short for Calvin – a French-rooted name meaning "bald." Calvin has seen rock-steady use, neither trendy nor obscure, since baby name lists were first compiled.
Ever
Ever is a hopeful, optimistic, positive name. A word name, the adverb "ever" means "at any time" or "always." It also connotes life or eternity – a wonderful meaning for a newborn child.
Rain
Rain is simply one of the most calming and meditative names out there. For anyone who appreciates the cleansing qualities of rain and the way it makes the whole world a little bit greener, this nature-inspired baby name is a great way to honor both your child and the environment.
Quinn
One of the 20 most common last names in Ireland, Quinn is the Anglicized version of an Irish surname that means "son of Conn." Conn's origins are uncertain – it could come from an Old Irish word meaning "mind" or "intellect," or it could come from an Old Irish word meaning "chief" or "queen."
Ted
Ted or Teddy has always been a loveable name of millions of stuffed bears. It's often a nickname for Theodore or Theodora, which derives from an ancient Greek name that means "gift of God."
