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Choosing a name for your baby can be challenging. Both you and your spouse need to agree on the name and often you want a positive nod from friends and family as well. It’s important because it will be with your child for his lifetime. It can honestly be one of the most difficult things to do. “After searching and searching for the perfect baby name — as most parents do — we finally came to decide on the name Hudson for our little one,” Brooke Frederick of the MinimalistMama shared with Mom.com. “My husband argued that it was the most unique name out there.” It’s a good choice among the many two-syllable baby names.
Brooke was looking for something classic and strong while still being uncommon. That was important to her and her husband. “We knew exactly no one with the name Hudson,” she continued. “However, to my surprise, this totally rare gem of a baby name was actually #34 on one of the baby name charts I used."
Shorter, one- and two-syllable names tend to be popular due to their simplicity. Let’s dive into some great options for you and what they mean.
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One- and two-syllable girl names
There are many great one- and two-syllable name choices for you, though finding the right one and pondering its origin or meaning can take some time. You may choose a popular character from your favorite book like Jennifer Rose did.
Scout
“My daughter is named Scout. She is five years old,” explained Jennifer to Mom.com. She is named after the popular character from the classic novel, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. “Her personality matches her namesake. She is very spunky and spirited,” Jennifer continued.
Faith
A name that states what you hope for with your child, that they will live with a deep connection to their creator. It means "trust" or "devotion" and has been a popular name over the years. In fact, it was first popularized by Puritans in the 17th Century.
Eve
This name has Latin and Hebrew origins. It means "life" or "animal" and is derived from the Latin word Eva. Many choose this name as a tribute to God, who created Adam and Eve whose lives are famously memorialized in the Bible.
Jade
This is a British gender-neutral name that means "precious stone." Nothing can be more precious than your child and this name is fitting of that sentiment.
Aubrey
If you’re looking for something on the whimsical side, Aubrey may be for you. It has German origins and means "elf ruler." It pays homage to the mythological figure, Alberich, who was the guardian of treasure and had immense strength.
Harper
This name literally means "one who plays the harp." It dates back to Medieval times in Europe when kings and queens had dedicated harp players. Eventually, it becomes a popular last name in Scotland, Ireland, and England but remains a popular girls name for those looking for something distinct for their daughter.
Bella
Bella has Latin and Italian origins, meaning "beautiful," and what could be more beautiful that your baby girl. Bella is often a shortened nickname for Isabella but can be a wonderful name that stands on its own.
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One- and two-syllable boy names
One- and two-syllable boy names can be simple while evoking a strong sentiment. There are a lot of options to choose from, so let’s start with some of the most popular.
Jake
This name is derived from the Bible’s popular name of Jacob. Its meaning is "supplanter." While many use Jake as a nickname for Jacob, it does do well on its own.
Beau
Beau is the boys' version of Bella. It means "beautiful" in French. It stands strong as a name and often is used in literature to depict a hero. Originally, Beau was used as a nickname but has become more popular over the past 50 years as a stand-alone name.
Bryce
This happens to be my son’s middle name. It means "speckled," but we chose it because it was a unique name that we didn’t hear very often and we perceived it to be a well-educated man’s name.
Jude
Jude means "praised." This name was really popularized by the Beatles' song “Hey Jude.” It’s actually a gender-neutral name that has Greek origins.
Hunter
This is a name that originates in Britain. It literally means "one who hunts or pursues." As such, it is someone who is strong and capable of providing for his tribe.
Matthew
This is my son’s name. Chosen for its origins in the Bible as one of Jesus’ loyal apostles. With its Hebrew origin meaning "gift of God" or "Yahweh," Matthew remains a popular and classic name for boys.
Wyatt
Wyatt has British origins. It means "strength" and "brave warrior." It’s the perfect name for anyone who wants their son to take life on with his full strength and vigor.
Choosing the right baby name: Meanings and history
While some parents seek out names based on their meaning, it isn’t required. You can choose a name simply because you like the sound of it. Maybe it flows nicely with your last name and will make a good long-form name. Some names are family names that have a rich personal history that doesn’t necessarily match the origins of the name. That’s okay, too. Take your time and find the right name for you.
Most of important of all, take the pressure off of yourself to find the "perfect" name. "Everyone is pushing to be unique, to be creative. And this is creating an enormous amount of pressure and a kind of decision paralysis for today's parents," Laura Wattenberg, author of The Baby Name Wizard books, told NPR. "So much of preparing for a baby is about anxieties. You're worried about money, about health, about safety. Names should be your chance to just sit back and dream."
