Posts by Sherry Petersik

As a former professional product namer, I’ve named everything from cheeseburgers to cell phones. And you might think… she also probably wants to name my baby. Well, you’d be right. I LOVE brainstorming name ideas, researching meanings, and test-driving name pairings. I also get the sometimes daunting pressure of it all. It can be stressful, and there are tons of factors to consider, endless options to sift through, and somehow even more opinions. Hint: do not ask everyone you know for their opinions – it can make it so much harder.

It’s no secret that I want to name your baby (I’ve loved sharing name ideas – and John and I even pitched a pet naming book before starting this blog). And the topic of celebrity baby names has always fascinated me. From whatever “off the wall” name a famous person has chosen for their offspring (Surie! Apple! Blanket!) to the way that celebrity baby names have real impacts on naming trends (if a popular celeb names her son something, that name can soar to the top of the charts). It really is intriguing to me that beyond the gossip factor, celebrity baby names introduce new names to the lexicon, boost the popularity of others, and can even steer people away from choosing a name that’s in the headlines… which actually happened to us! But more on that in a minute.

In my lifelong quest to name everyone’s baby, I’ve posted a few lists of baby girl names and baby boy names, but what about names that defy easy categorization? Gender-neutral or unisex names are growing in popularity, and for lots of good reasons. Many see them as more inclusive, equitable, and adaptable. Some find them modern, cool, or even edgy. The rise in gender-neutral names also makes it easier for parents to use a family name or other sentimental or beloved name, regardless of their baby’s gender.

I can’t give you 100 one-syllable girl names without a list for boys too! And, well, I did marry one of the most popular monosyllabic names of all time: John. Short boy names have been popular for centuries. Think Gods (Zeus), Gospels (Mark, Luke), Founding Fathers (George, James, Ben), all the way to modern TV characters (Ross, Zack, Bart). They can feel strong, timeless, charming, unique, or all of the above. So today I’m sharing 100 of my favorites.

I’m back with more baby names because, well, I love everything about them! One-syllable girl names are gaining popularity in recent years, especially as longer names like Olivia, Charlotte, and Isabella become oversaturated. In fact, only 1 single-syllable girl name broke into the latest Top 50 list from the Social Security Administration (#40: Grace). So choosing a one-syllable name is a great way to find something unique, while still meeting your taste for classic or modern, sweet or strong, etc. Plus they make great middle names.