words of one syllable

Very simple words; terms that are easy to understand. You're an astrophysicist and I'm not, so please, explain this concept in words of one syllable so I might have a chance of understanding it!

Common Names:

Name	Pronounced	Usage
Zoya	ZO-yah (Russian)	Russian, Ukrainian
Jerk	-	Swedish
Gino	JEE-no	Italian
Santos	SAHN-tos	Spanish
Powell	['pəuəl]
Eirian	-	Welsh