87 Short Baby Names That You'll Absolutely Adore

Akinwalere Olaleye
Feb 16, 2024 By Akinwalere Olaleye
Originally Published on May 31, 2022
Edited by Shadiya Ahammad
Fact-checked by Naman Khanna
List of short baby names includes unique short baby boy names and short and sweet baby girl names.
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Age: 0-99
Read time: 8.7 Min



Parents are looking for a short, easy-to-pronounce baby name while choosing a name for their child.

There are different name options available across the world when it comes t0 selecting short baby names. It is important to select baby names that have interesting meanings as the name will stay with the person for life.

Here are a number of short baby girl names and baby boy names that will definitely make you come back to appreciate the beauty of the name for your beloved.

Read on for some of the best short baby names. Afterward, also check out our articles on baby girl names meaning 'beautiful' and Marathi baby girl names.

Short Strong Baby Boy Names

It's been said that simplicity is the soul of wit, and this might be especially true when it comes to naming a baby boy. Here are some popular name options in diminutive form for you.

Beau (French origin) means 'handsome'; Beau is a male given name (pronounced BOH).

Ben (Hebrew origin), meaning 'son', Benjamin, is frequently shortened as Ben. A cool name for a cool baby.

Dean (English origin) is generally a male English name meaning 'from the valley'.

Finn (Old English origin) is generally a male name from Ireland that means 'fair'. Finn/Fynn is a name that means 'fair'. It's also a Nordic name that means 'Finnish Man'.

Jace (Greek origin), Jace is a shorter version of Jason, and it means 'to heal'. A famous short name.

Jai (Indian origin) is generally a male Indian name that signifies 'victory'. A cute short name for your boy.

James (Hebrew origin) is derived from Jacob, a Hebrew name that means 'supplanter'.

Jax (American origin) is a classic nickname preferred by parents.

Joel (Hebrew origin) is a male given name derived from the Hebrew phrase 'the Lord is God'.

John (Hebrew origin) is derived from the Hebrew word Yohanan, which means 'God's gift'. It's a sturdy, classic name that oozes strength, intelligence, and warmth.

Kai (Hawaiian origin) means 'sea'. Kai is mostly a boy's name, but it is also given to girls occasionally. Kye is the pronunciation.

Kyle (Scottish Gaelic origin) originated from the Gaelic word 'caol', which signifies narrow, sound, or straight. A classic and popular first name for boys.

Max (Latin origin) means 'the greatest'. Max was taken from the Latin name Maximilian, which was derived from the Roman surname Maximus. It is a popular nickname with one syllable.

Paul (Roman origin) is derived from the Roman surname Paulus or Paullus, which is derived from the Latin adjective meaning 'little' or 'humble'.

Ren (Japanese origin) means rebirth. It is likewise of Swedish origin and means 'pure and clean'. An interesting name meaning for boys.

Sam (Hebrew origin), meaning 'told by God'. Sam is historically the masculine form of the name. One of the most preferred short names for boys that parents love.

Scott (Scottish origin) means 'Scotsman' or 'someone from Scotland'.

Seth (Hebrew origin), meaning 'appointed,' is the name of Adam and Eve's third son.

Sid (English origin), according to its English roots, the name Sid means 'broad meadow'. A great name that every family in the west loves.

Tim (Greek origin) is a name that originated as a diminutive of Timothy. A simple name with simple spelling that sounds great.

Tom (Greek origin) is generally used for boys and signifies ‘Short Form of Thomas’.

Zane (American origin), 'Gift from God' is the literal meaning of Zane. One of the popular boy names.

Some popular short baby names are Eva, Liv, Ann, Cole, Troy, Jake, and Eli.

Cute Short Baby Girl Names

Short names are also easier to spell, so your child may may soon be able to write their own name. Read on for some short baby girl names:

Ari (Arabic origin), Ari is a girl's name of Hebrew origin that means 'God's lion'.

Ava (Latin origin) means 'bird'; Ava might also be a variant of Eve or Eva. The sound of Ava, or Eva, is quite pleasing to the ears.

Bree (Irish origin) is an Irish girl's name that means 'strong or elevated one'.

Cara (Latin origin) is a simple sweet name meaning beloved, friend.

Daisy (Old English origin) is a flower's name that means 'day's eye'.

Eden (Hebrew origin) is a Greek word that signifies 'joy and delight'.

Gia (Italian origin), Gia is predominantly a female Italian name that means 'God is Merciful'. Gianna was originally shortened to Gia.

Hana (Japanese origin) is a Japanese girl's name that means 'bud' or 'blossom'.

Hera (Greek origin), meaning 'warrior' or 'queen'. It is a Greek name commonly given to females.

Isla (Scottish origin) is a Scottish name derived from the name of a little island off the coast of Scotland.

Jana (Hebrew origin) is a Hebrew girl's name that means 'God is gracious'. It's a female version of John. Jana was Janus's wife in Roman mythology.

Jia (Chinese origin) refers to someone 'exceptional, amazing', and everyone's favorite.

Jolie (French origin) is a rare name meaning 'pretty'.

Juno (Latin origin), meaning 'youth', also signify 'belonging to Juno' (the goddess Juno) or 'born in June', among other things.

Katie (Greek origin) is predominantly a female English name with the meaning pure.

Kerry (Irish origin) means dusky, dark. Kerry is the name of one of Ireland's most beautiful and lush counties.

Lexi (Greek origin) is a Greek name that means 'defender of man' and is pronounced lex-ee. It is a shortened variant of Alexandra.

Liza (English origin) is generally a feminine name that means 'God is my oath'.

Luna (Latin origin) means 'moon'. Luna is the Roman goddess of the moon.

Luz (Spanish and Portuguese origin) is a feminine given name and surname in Portuguese and Spanish that means 'light'.

Mia (Italian origin) name has been associated with the Italian word mia, which means 'my'.

Pia (Latin origin), 'Pious', and 'devout' are the two meanings of Pia.

Raya (Arabic origin) is a feminine Arabic origin name, meaning 'flag'.

Rhea (Greek origin) is a girl name meaning 'a flowing stream'. The Greek legendary earth mother of all the gods has an old-style creative name.

Shae (Irish origin) is an Irish girl's name that means 'stately', dauntless.

Sky (Scandinavian origin) is a gender-neutral Scandinavian name that means 'atmosphere seen from Earth'.

Tara (Sanskrit origin) is a Sanskrit word that means 'star', representing the illumination of the soul.

Tiva (Native American origin) is predominantly a Native American male name, meaning 'Dance'.

Vera (Russian origin) is a Russian girl's name that means 'trust'.

Vida (Spanish origin) is predominantly a Latin-derived female name that means 'life'.

Yoko (Japanese origin)is predominantly a Japanese female name that means 'ocean, sun, and child'.

Zara (Arabic origin) is a girl's name that means 'radiance'.

Unique Short Baby Names

Even if a name is short doesn't mean it can't be distinctive! Check out these suggestions if you're looking for a cute short female name that's unique and has a modern twist.

Cale (Gaelic origin), 'to be loyal' is the meaning of the name Cale.

Chad (Anglo Saxon origin) is a male name that means 'protector; defender'.

Claire (French origin) is derived from the French word 'claire,' which means 'bright' or 'light-colored'.

Dee (Welsh origin) is most commonly used as a girl's name. 'The beginning D' is the meaning of Dee.

Elle (French, Hebrew origin) is a girl's name with a feminine connotation. It's also a French pronoun that means 'female' or she'.

Eve (Latin origin) has a traditional connotation of life or being alive.

Faye (English origin),  Faye is either from the Middle English word 'faie,' which means 'fairy'.

Grace (Latin origin) refers to 'God's grace'. Grace is one of the most well-known virtues.

Grant (English and Scottish origin) is a male name that means 'tall' or 'large'.

Jayce (Greek origin) means healer or the Lord of salvation. One of the short and sweet baby names.

Kent (British Celtic origin) is a predominantly masculine English name that means 'high or coastal land'.

Kurt (Germanic origin), Curt is an anglicized version of Kurt, a masculine German name.

Luke (Latin origin) symbolizes 'bright, white, light-giving'. It is derived from the Italian Luciana, which was the name of an ancient Italian geographical area.

Neil (Irish origin) is an Irish-sounding name for a boy. The Irish name might be derived from the terms 'cloud' or 'enthusiastic'.

Pearl (English origin) is generally a female English name that means smooth, round mollusk-formed bead.

Skye (Scottish origin) simply said the sky is derived from the old Norse sky, which means 'cloud'.

Star (American origin) is a female name. The majority of today's parents prefer the softer-sell Stella.

Sue (English origin) means 'lily' in English. Sue is derived from the Hebrew word 'Shoshan', which also means 'lily'.

Tia (Spanish origin) means 'Joy' or 'happiness'. Initially, the name was a short version of any name that started or concluded with 'tia'.

Uma (Sanskrit origin) is the name of the Hindu goddess Parvati, who is also known as Parvati.

Vince (Latin origin) is a boy’s name that means 'conquering'.

Short Modern Baby Names

 Looking for some short baby names for your baby boy and baby girl? Here are some modern short-form baby girl names and baby boy names that enjoy great popularity. Read on for some of the short and sweet baby names:

Aarvi (Indian origin) symbolizes 'peacemaker' or 'one who makes peace'. One of the popular baby girl names.

Adi (Sanskrit origin), Adi is a Sanskrit given name for a man that signifies 'first'.

Ahan (Indian origin) the meanings of the Ahan include 'dawn', 'sunrise', 'morning glory', and 'the first ray of light'.

Arya (Persian origin) Arya is a gender-neutral name that means 'friend' or 'loyal'. An ideal name for a baby girl.

Coco (American origin), is a shortened form of the name Soccoro. The definition of Coco is 'chocolate beans.' An interesting baby name.

Dru (American origin) is a gender-neutral name that translates to 'form of drew'.

Ena (Irish origin) has the meanings of 'ardent' and 'graceful'. The name signifies 'small fire' in Gaelic culture.

Evan (Hebrew origin), Evan is a common Welsh name that means 'the Lord is gracious'.

Lumi (Finnish origin) is a girl name that means 'snow'. It is indeed one of the short and sweet baby names for a baby girl.

Rio (Spanish origin), Rio is a Spanish or Portuguese word that means 'river'.

Zuri (Swahili origin) means beautiful. African-Americans typically adopt the name to commemorate their Swahili ancestry.

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Written by Akinwalere Olaleye

Bachelor of Arts specializing in English Literature

Akinwalere Olaleye picture

Akinwalere OlaleyeBachelor of Arts specializing in English Literature

As a highly motivated, detail-oriented, and energetic individual, Olaleye's expertise lies in administrative and management operations. With extensive knowledge as an Editor and Communications Analyst, Olaleye excels in editing, writing, and media relations. Her commitment to upholding professional ethics and driving organizational growth sets her apart. She has a bachelor's degree in English Literature from the University of Benin, Edo State. 

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Fact-checked by Naman Khanna

Bachelor of Arts specializing in English Literature

Naman Khanna picture

Naman KhannaBachelor of Arts specializing in English Literature

An English literature graduate from Delhi University, Naman's broad interests include mathematics, science, and social science. With his knowledge and expertise in multiple subjects, he is an asset to our fact-checking team. Naman is set to pursue his postgraduate degree in English literature soon.

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