Name that boy

• 13.03.2023 19:42 UTC+01:00
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I came across this handy-and-dandy list of one-syllable names for baby boys, compiled by Jacqueline at Parent Portfolio:

Classic One Syllable Names for Boys Classic one syllable baby boy names are simple, traditional, professional and usually have a rich history regarding meaning. Just some of the classic boy names that we love include: ● Mark ● Will ● Chris ● Gabe ● Carl ● Max ● Jake ● James ● Joel ● Hugh ● Dean ● Shawn ● Sean ● Luke ● Troy ● Neil ● Ralph ● Chase ● Roy ● Tim ● Todd ● Greg

Jacqueline, One Syllable Boy Names: 70+ Fresh and Unique Names for Your Baby, Parent Portfolio

But there's a problem here, because not all of the suggestions really hold water.

Will (William and others); Chris (Christopher); Gabe (Gabriel); Max (Maxwell, Maximillian, and others); Roy (Royce, Leroy, and others); Tim (Timothy); and Greg (Gregory) are all informal derivatives of traditional names. Conferring these diminutives as a given name may be cute for a boy, but it might not go so well when the man has to enter the adult world of employment with a cutesy name on his birth certificate, especially when gravitas counts. Although Will the estate lawyer could lighten the mood with Where there's Will, there's a way! printed on his business cards, Gabe the funeral director might have a tough time drumming up business.

Besides all that, Joel may have one too many syllables—depending on pronunciation, jole or jo-el—to be a reliably one-syllable name anyway.

Later, she recommends Wes (Wesley) and Nate (Nathaniel) as unique names; and, while Jim didn't make the classic list alongside James, it's suggested as one of several old-fashioned names. And it goes on. Except for Bill, Bill doesn't get a mention; Samuel Goldwyn would not have approved.*

Apparently, Jacqueline and her husband Jonathan are: parents to two lively kids and real estate investors. Although she doesn't mention how many real estate investors they're parents to. Or perhaps the two lively kids are the real estate investors. (shrug)

All the same, if this exemplifies her attention to detail, I think I'll seek investment advice elsewhere.