Short and simple baby names

Some of the best baby names are short. If your last name is a mouthful or you just want to keep things simple, one of these short and sweet baby names could be just what you're looking for. Easy to spell, easy to say, easy to remember – short names may even save you time when you're going down the list of each of your kids, and pets, trying to get to the right name.

Short boy names

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. Generally considered to be the masculine version of the feminine-leaning name Brooke, musician Garth Brooks and filmmaker Mel Brooks share this name.

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." Though the reader, or viewer, never hears it, the romantic hero Mr. Darcy from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, has the given name Fitzwilliam.

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 – singer Lana Del Rey's given name is Elizabeth Grant – 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." Most notable bearers are from the United Kingdom, including author Ian McEwan (Atonement) and actor Sir Ian McKellen, who famously plays the wizard Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings.

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. It is evidently popular with Southern musicians: Leon Russell, the singer and songwriter from Oklahoma, took this name for his stage name, and soul singer Leon Bridges was born in Georgia, raised in New Orleans, and discovered in Texas.

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.

Short girl names

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.

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, a character who features prominently in the story of Jason and the Argonauts.

Maggie

Maggie is an organic gem of a name, the diminutive form of Margaret, which means "pearl." There is so much good to say about Maggie, including the fact that it's filled with zest and spice and everything nice. It's also featured in a classic Rod Stewart song, Maggie May, and it's the name of two well-loved actresses, Maggie Smith and Maggie Gyllenhall, as well as singer-songwriter Maggie Rogers.

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. A great name with global appeal, this gorgeous and meaningful name is borne by fashion designer Vera Wang and actress Vera Ann Farmiga.

Zora

Zora is an Arabic name that means "dawn" or "dawn's eye." Black author, anthropologist, and folklorist Zora Neale Hurston's novel Their Eyes Were Watching God is on many a must-read classic book list. This strong and beautiful name is just right for your future bookworm.

Short unisex 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. The name Calvin is most often associated, on a global scale, with 16th century scholar and religious reformer John Calvin. Fast forward to modern times, there's fashion king Calvin Klein, and the beloved titular character of the comic Calvin and Hobbes.

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. This thoroughly modern name is borne by the daughter of actress/model Milla Jojovich. Ever is also a character in Marvel Comics' X-Men.

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. Among the notable bearers of this name are the fictional character Paige Matthews, from the 2000s TV series Charmed, played by actress Rose MacGowan, and Paige Matheson in the soap opera Knots Landing.

Rain

Rain is simply one of the most calming and meditative names out there. It's short and sweet, neither masculine nor feminine, and completely at one with the outdoors. 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 – but Ted Lasso has carried it to the next level with Jason Sudekis in his ridiculously funny and likable role as an American football coach who becomes the head coach of an English soccer team. It's often a nickname for Theodore or Theodora, which derives from an ancient Greek name that means "gift of God."