Short first names pair well with almost any surname and any length of middle name. They are a strong pick when the family name is long or complex, because they give the child something easy to introduce themselves with.
When short works
Short names travel well across languages. They survive the classroom register, the sports team, and the work email. Parents who lean traditional often find that a short, classic first name (Jack, Luke, Max) gives them the most flexibility for a longer, more distinctive middle name.