The great short-name revival

Max, Leo, Kai, Zoe, Mia, Ben, Sam... After decades of parents choosing long, elaborate names like Isabella and Benjamin, Aussie parents are suddenly going back to basics. Short, punchy names are back in a big way.

There's something satisfying about a one-syllable name. It's crisp, it's efficient, and it doesn't get shortened into a nickname anyway. Leo is Leo — no one calls him Leonard. Max is Max — no one calls him Maximilian (unless he's in trouble).

The trend started around 2010, when parents got tired of everyone having the same long names. Isabella was everywhere, and it was getting boring. So they reached for something shorter. Mia, Zoe, Lily — all quick to say, easy to spell, and instantly recognisable.

The funny thing is, we've been here before. Back in the 1950s, every second boy was named John or Bob. Then the 1980s hit, and suddenly everyone was named Matthew and Christopher. Now we're back to short names. It's like naming fashion — it always comes back around.