Four letter boy names are relatively rare right now, with only 15 of the 100 most popular baby boy names in the United States having four letters.
I am a HUGE fan of four-letter names, though – both of my kids have them!
They’re hard to misspell and fit on everything. Crafts and writing involving the letters of their names don’t take forever.
Short first names go particularly well with longer last names.
Even if you decide on a longer first name for your baby boy, one of these four-letter names would be great as a middle name!
And don’t worry – there are plenty of boy names with only four letters that still sound strong and badass.
This list separates the most common four-letter male names from the rarest and more exotic ones.
We think they’re all super cute and would make good names for boys born this year (meaning, they still work in modern times).
Some of them are abbreviated versions of longer names, and I’m a big believer in naming your kid what you intend to call them (for example, I legally named my daughter Lily instead of Lillian or Lilith).
You’ll also notice some unisex names in the list, as these are becoming more and more popular as well.
This huge list also includes the origin and meaning of each name. This information was derived from both Nameberry and Behind the Name.
Popular Four-Letter Boy Names
The most popular 4-letter baby boy names in America right now are:
- Liam
- Noah
- Oliver
- Elijah
- James
- William
- Benjamin
- Lucas
- Henry
- Theodore
- Jack
- Levi
- Alexander
- Jackson
- Mateo
- Daniel
- Michael
- Mason
- Sebastian
- Ethan
John and Jack are the most common baby boy names with four letters of all time and aren’t in danger of losing their titles any time soon.
Unique Four-Letter Boy Names
We all hope to give our little guys a cool name. Some trendy but uncommon 4-letter boy names include:
- Beau
- Ivan
- Jude
- Zion
- King
- Milo
- Finn
- Theo
- Zane
- Knox
- Nash
- Arlo
- Jett
- Cruz
- Odin
- Rory
- Niko
- Remy
- Otto
- Rhys
- Ares
- Dash
- Nova
- Kylo
- Rome
Complete List of Four-Letter Boy Names (with Origin and Meaning)
Starting with A
Abel: Hebrew; means “breath”
Adam: Hebrew; means “son of the red earth”
Adan: Spanish; means “son of the red earth”
Addy: Medieval English; diminutive of Adam
Aden: Irish; means “little and fiery”
Ajax: from Greek mythology; means “mourner” or “earth/land”
Alan: Irish; means “handsome” or “cheerful”
Aldo: Italian; means “old and wise” or “noble”
Alec: diminutive of Alexander in Greek; means “defending men”
Alex: diminutive of Alexander in Greek; means “defending men”
Alto: Latin; means “high”
Alva: Hebrew; means “his highness”
Alvy: English; diminutive of Alvin, means “noble friend”
Amal: Hebrew; means “laborer”
Ames: Latin; means “friend”
Amir: Arabic or Hebrew: means “king/ruler” or “treetop”
Amos: Hebrew; means “carried by God”
Andy: Greek; diminutive of Andrew, means “strong and manly”
Ares: Greek; means “bane” or “ruin”
Arie: Hebrew; means “lion”
Arlo: Irish; alternative spelling of Aherlow, meaning “between two highlands”
Aron: alternative spelling of Aaron with multiple origins; means “exalted”
Aven: Irish; means “white flower” or “beautiful sheen”
Axel: Scandinavian; means “father of peace”
Ayan: Somali; means “fortune”
Aziz: Arabic; means “powerful and beloved”
Starting with B
Bart: Hebrew; means “son of the earth”
Bear: English; means “the brown one”
Beau: French; means “handsome”
Beck: English; means “one living beside a small stream”
Bert: English; means “bright”
Beto: Spanish; diminutive of Alberto, meaning “noble” or “bright”
Bill: English; diminutive of William, meaning “resolute protection”
Bing: German; means “kettle-shaped hollow”
Bird: American; like the animal
Blue: English; like the color
Bode: German; means “command/order”
Bolt: American; like lightning
Bond: English; means “peasant farmer”
Bose: origin unknown; may mean “immortal”
Boss: American; means “one who is in charge”
Boyd: Scottish; means “blond”
Brad: English; means “broad clearing”
Bram: Dutch; means “father of many”
Bran: Irish and Welsh; means “raven” (remember Game of Thrones?)
Bret: English; means “an inhabitant of Brittany”
Brio: Italian; means “vivacity/zest”
Buck: English; means “male deer”
Budd: English; means “friend”
Burk: American; means “fortress”
Burl: English; means “butler”
Burr: English; means “bristle”
Burt: English; short form of Burton, meaning “fortified town”
Bush: English; means “lives near a thicket”
Starting with C
Cade: English; means “round” or “barrel”
Cage: American; meaning “captor/container”
Cain: Hebrew; means “spear” or “possessed”
Cale: Welsh; derived from the River Cale
Carl: German; means “free man”
Cary: Latin; means “pleasant stream”
Case: French; means “hut” or “hovel”
Cash: Ancient Roman; diminutive of Cassius, meaning “empty” or “vain”
Cato: Latin; means “all-knowing”
Chad: English; means “battle warrior”
Chaz: English; means “warrior”
Chet: English; short form of Chester, meaning “fortress”
Chip: English; diminutive of Charles, meaning “warrior”
Clay: English; diminutive of Clayton, meaning “clay settlement”
Clem: English; means “merciful” or “gentle”
Cobb: English; means “lump”
Coby: English; diminutive of Jacob, meaning “holder of the heel”
Codi: English; variation of Cody, meaning “descendant of the helpful”
Cody: English; means “descendant of the helpful”
Coen: Dutch; means “bold advisor”
Cole: English; means “swarthy” or “coal black”
Colt: English; means “young horse”
Cory: Irish; means “from the hollow”
Cree: the name of a Native American tribe in Canada
Crew: English; means “fish trap” or “group”
Cris: English; variation of Chris, meaning “bearer of Christ”
Cruz: Spanish; means “cross”
Curt: English; diminutive of Curtis, meaning “polite”
Starting with D
Dale: English; means “valley”
Dane: English; means “from Denmark”
Dash: English; diminutive of Dashiell, meaning is unknown
Dave: Hebrew; means “beloved”
Davy: English; diminutive of David, meaning “beloved”
Dean: English; means “church official”
Deon: English; variation of Dion, meaning “of Zeus”
Desi: Spanish; means “desired one”
Dick: English; diminutive of Richard, meaning “brave ruler”
Dino: Italian; meaning unknown
Dion: Greek; means “child of heaven and earth”
Dior: French; means “of gold”
Doug: English; diminutive of Douglas, meaning “dark river”
Drew: English; diminutive of Andrew, meaning “strong and manly”
Duke: English; means “leader” or “noble”
Starting with E
Earl: English; means “nobleman” or “warrior”
Eddy: English; diminutive of Edward, meaning “wealthy guardian”
Eden: Hebrew; means “place of pleasure or delight”
Edge: English, means “lives by the ridge”
Elby: English; means “elf war”
Elio: Italian; means “sun”
Elmo: Italian; means “protector”
Elon: Hebrew; means “oak tree”
Emil: Latin; means “rival”
Emir: Arabic; means “title of honor”
Emry: German; means “industrious”
Emyr: Welsh; means “king”
Enzo: Italian; short form of Vincenzo, meaning “to conquer”
Epic: English; means “a long tale/story”
Eric: Old Norse; means “eternal ruler”
Erik: Old Norse; variation of Eric, meaning “eternal ruler”
Erle: English; variation of Earl, meaning “nobleman” or “warrior”
Eros: Greek; means “desire”
Esau: Hebrew; means “hairy”
Evan: Welsh; means “the Lord is gracious”
Ewan: Scottish; means “born of the yew tree”
Ezra: Hebrew; means “help”
Starting with F
Finn: Irish; means “fair” or “white”
Ford: English; means “lives at the ford”
Fred: German; diminutive of Frederick, meaning “peaceful ruler”
Starting with G
Gabe: English; diminutive of Gabriel, meaning “God is my strong man”
Gael: English, meaning “speaker of Gaelic”
Gage: French; means “oath/pledge”
Gary: English; means “spearman”
Gene: English; diminutive of Eugene, meaning “well born”
Gibb: English; diminutive of Gilbert, meaning “bright pledge”
Glen: Scottish; means “a narrow valley”
Gray: English; like the color
Grey: English; like the color
Guss: English; diminutive of Augustus, meaning “venerable” or “exalted”
Starting with H
Hale: English; means “someone who lives in a hollow”
Hank: German; means “estate ruler”
Hans: German; diminutuve of Johannes, meaning “God is gracious”
Hawk: English; like the bird
Hays: English; variant of Hayes, meaning “enclosure”
Herb: English; diminutive of Herbert, meaning “bright army”
Holt: English; means “son of the unspoiled forests”
Hoyt: English; means “long stick”
Huck: from Literature; diminutive of Huckleberry, like the shrub
Huey: English; variant of Hugh, meaning “mind” or “intellect”
Hugh: English; means “mind” or “intellect”
Hugo: Latin; means “intellect”
Hunt: English; diminutive of Hunter, like the occupation
Hyde: English; means “someone living on a hide of land”
Starting with I
Iago: Welsh; means “saint”
Igor: Old Norse; means “warrior”
Iker: Basque; means “visitation”
Indy: American; diminutive of Indiana, meaning “land of the Indians”
Isom: English; variation of Isham, meaning “from the iron village”
Ivan: Russion; means “God is gracious”
Iver: Norwegian; means “warrior”
Izzy: English; means “gift of God”
Starting with J
Jace: Hebrew; means “the Lord is salvation”
Jack: English; means “God is gracious”
Jair: Hebrew; means “he shines”
Jake: Hebrew; diminutive of Jacob, meaning “supplanter”
Jase: English; diminutive of Jason, meaning “healer”
Jaxx: English; diminutive of Jackson, meaning “son of Jack”
Jazz: English; means “energy” or “excitement”
Jean: French; means “God is gracious”
Jeff: English; diminutive of Jeffrey, meaning “peace”
Jess: English; short form of Jesse, meaning “gift”
Jett: English; means “intense black”
Joah: Hebrew; means “brother of God”
Jody: English; diminutive of Joseph meaning “God will provide for”
Joel: Hebrew; means “He is God”
Joey: English; diminutive of Joseph meaning “God will provide for”
John: Hebrew; means “God is gracious”
Jose: Spanish; means “God will provide for”
Josh: English; short form of Joshua meaning “God is salvation”
Juan: Spanish; means “the Lord is gracious”
Judd: Medieval English; diminutive of Jordan meaning “descend” or “flow down”
Jude: Latin; means “praised”
Starting with K
Kace: American; modern invented name
Kade: American; variation of Cade, meaning “round”
Kale: Hawaiian; alternative to Charles meaning “warrior”
Kane: Celtic; means “warrior”
Karl: German and Scandinavian; alternative to Charles meaning “warrior”
Kase: American; modern invented name
Kash: American; variation of Cash which is a diminutive of Cassius, meaning “empty” or “vain”
Kato: African; means “second of twins”
Kent: English; means “edge”
Kerr: Scottish; means “someone who lived near wet ground”
Khan: Turkic; means “king/ruler”
Kian: Persian; means “king,” “foundation,” or “symbol of pride”
Kiel: American; diminutive of Ezekiel, meaning “God will strengthen”
Kiev: Ukrainian; like the city, named from a medieval legend
King: English; means “monarch/ruler”
Kipp: English; means “pointed hill”
Kirk: Norse; means “church”
Knox: Scottish; means “round hill”
Kobe: Swahili; means “tortoise”
Koda: Japanese and Sioux; means “friend”
Kody: American; variant of Cody, meaning “descendant of the helpful”
Kole: American; variant of Cole, meaning “swarthy” or “coal black”
Krew: American; variant of Crew, meaning “fish trap” or “group”
Kurt: German; diminutive of Kurtis, meaning “courteous/polite”
Kyle: Scottish; means “narrow split of land”
Kylo: American; possibly means “sky”
Kyng: American; variant of King, meaning “monarch/ruler”
Kyro: American; variant of Cairo, meaning “the victorious”
Starting with L
Lake: English; like the body of water
Lane: English; means “small roadway or path”
Lars: Scandinavian; means “crowned with laurel”
Leaf: Old English; means “dear/beloved”
Leif: Scandinavian; means “heir/descendant”
Leon: Greek; variant of Leo, meaning “lion”
Levi: Hebrew; means “joined/attached”
Levy: Hebrew; variant of Levi, meaning “joined/attached”
Liam: Irish; diminutive of William, meaning “resolute protection”
Lian: Chinese; means “waterfall” or “lotus”
Liev: Yiddish; variant of Lev, meaning “heart”
Link: American; diminutive of Lincoln, meaning “colony by the lake”
Loki: Norse mythology; meaning unknown
Luca: Italian; variant of Lucas, meaning “from Lucania”
Ludo: German; means “famous”
Luis: French and German; variant of Louis, meaning “renowned warrior”
Luka: American; variant of Lucas, meaning “from Lucania”
Luke: Greek; means “man from Lucania
Lyle: Scottish and English; means “someone who lives on an island”
Lynx: American; like the cat
Starting with M
Mace: English; means “heavy club”
Mack: Scottish and Irish; means “son of”
Mako: Japanese; means “sincerity”
Marc: French and Welsh; diminutive of Marcus, derived from the Roman god Mars
Mark: Latin; means “warlike”
Mars: Roman; like the god of war, possibly meaning “man”
Matt: English; short form of Matthew, meaning “gift from God”
Mell: American; meaning unknown
Merl: American; variant of Merle meaning “blackbird”
Mica: English; diminutive of Michael, meaning “one who is like God”
Mick: English; diminutive of Michael, meaning “one who is like God”; also slang for an Irishman
Mike: English; diminutive of Michael, meaning “one who is like God”
Milo: Latin and Old German; means “soldier” or “merciful”
Mitt: English; diminutive of Milton, meaning “mill town”
Mont: French; means “mountain”
Moss: English; means “descendant of Moses”
Musa: Arabic, Turkish, and Persian; variant of Moses, meaning “delivered” or “son”
Mylo: American; variant of Milo meaning “merciful soldier”
Starting with N
Nash: English; means “by the ash tree”
Nate: English; short form of Nathan, meaning “he gave”
Navy: American; like the color, or meaning “ship”
Neil: Irish; means “cloud”
Neon: Greek; means “new”
Nero: Latin; means “stern”
Newt: English; means “a small salamander” or “new town”
Nial: Irish; short form of Niall, meaning “cloud”
Nick: English; diminutive of Nicholas, meaning “victory of the people”
Nico: Italian; diminutive of Nicholas, meaning “victory of the people”
Niko: Finnish; diminutive of Nicholas, meaning “victory of the people”
Nile: Irish; means “champion”
Nilo: Spanish; means “God is my judge”
Noah: Hebrew; means “rest/repose”
Noel: French; means “Christmas”
Noon: American; like the time of day
Nova: Latin; means “new”
Nyle: English; variant of Niall, meaning “cloud”
Starting with O
Odin: Norse Mythology; means “inspiration,” “rage,” or “frenzy”
Odis: American; variant of Otis, meaning “wealth/fortune”
Olaf: Norwegian; means “ancestor’s descendant”
Omar: Arabic; means “eloquent”
Omni: Mormon; means “all/universal”
Onyx: English; means “claw”
Opus: Latin; means “massive work of art”
Orlo: Jewish; means “eagle”
Otho: Ancient Roman; meaning unknown
Otis: German; means “wealthy”
Otto: German; means “wealthy”
Owen: Welsh; means “young warrior” or “well-born”
Starting with P
Paco: Spanish and Native American; means “Frenchman” or “eagle,” respectively
Park: Irish; nickname for Patrick, meaning “nobleman”
Paul: Latin; means “small”
Penn: English; means “enclosure”
Pete: English; means “rock”
Phil: English; diminutive of Philip, meaning “friend” or “beloved”
Pike: West Frisian; variant of Peter, meaning “rock”
Poet: East Frisian; means “messenger”
Polk: English; meaning unknown
Starting with Q
Quil: American; diminutive of Aquila, meaning “eagle”
Quin: English; variant of Quinn, meaning “descendant of Conn”
Starting with R
Rafe: English; means “wolf counsel”
Rain: Estonian; variant of Rein, meaning “advice/counsel”
Rand: English; means “living on riverbank”
Raul: Spanish; means “wolf counsel”
Reed: English; means “red-haired”
Reef: English; like in the ocean
Reid: English; means “red-haired”
Reif: English; variant of Ralph, meaning “wolf counsel”
Remi: French; means “oarsmen”
Remy: French; means “oarsmen”
Rene: French; means “reborn”
Rhys: Welsh; means “ardor”
Rice: English; variant of Rhys, meaning “enthusiasm”
Rich: English; short form of Richard, meaning “brave ruler”
Rick: English; diminutive of Richard, meaning “brave ruler”
Rico: Spanish; diminutive of Ricardo, meaning “dominant ruler”
Riot: English; means “dispute” or “quarrel”
Roan: Frisian; variant of Ronne, meaning “raven”
Robb: English; diminutive of Robert, meaning “bright fame”
Rock: English; diminutive of Rocco, meaning “rest”
Rolf: German; means “famous wolf”
Rome: Italian; like the city
Rook: Dutch; diminutive of Rochus, meaning “rest”
Rory: Irish; means “red king”
Ross: Scottish; means “upland”
Rowe: English; diminutive of Roland, meaning “famous” or “brave”
Rudy: German; diminutive of Rudolph, meaning “famous wolf”
Rush: English; means “basket weaver”
Russ: French; short form of Russell, meaning “redhead”
Ryan: Irish; means “little king”
Starting with S
Sage: Latin; means “wise/knowing”
Saul: Hebrew; means “prayed for”
Sean: Irish; variant of John, meaning “God is gracious”
Seth: Hebrew; means “appointed/placed”
Shaw: English; means “lives by the woods”
Shel: English; short form of Sheldon, meaning “valley with deep sides”
Shep: English; short form of Shepherd, meaning “sheep herder”
Skip: English; short form of Skipper, meaning “boatman”
Snow: English; like the icy precipitation
Solo: American; means “alone”
Stan: English; short form of Stanley, meaning “stone clearing”
Sven: Scandinavian; means “youth”
Starting with T
Taft: English; means “building site”
Tate: English; means “cheerful”
Teal: American; like the color
Thad: English; short form of Thaddeus, meaning “heart”
Theo: English; short form of Theodore, meaning “gift from God”
Thom: Aramaic; means “twin”
Thor: Norse; means “thunder”
Tito: Spanish; variant of Titus, meaning “title of honor”
Toby: English; diminutive of Tobias, meaning “God is good”
Todd: English; means “fox”
Tony: English; diminutive of Anthony, meaning “priceless one”
Tosh: American; means “brave” or “strong”
Trey: English; means “three”
Troy: Irish; means “descendant of foot soldier”
Tuan: Vietnamese; means “follow” or “honor”
Tuck: English; short form of tucker, meaning “tormenter”
Starting with U
Uley: Sanskrit; means “village in England”
Utah: American; like the state
Starting with V
Vern: English; short form of Vernon, meaning “alder/life”
Vick: English; short form of Victor, meaning “conqueror”
Vito: Latin; means “alive/life”
Vlad: Russian; means “to rule”
Voss: German; means “fox”
Starting with W
Wade: English; means “the river crossing”
Walt: English; short form of Walter, meaning “ruler of the army”
Webb: English; means “weaver”
West: English; like the cardinal direction
Will: English; short form of William, meaning “resolute protector”
Whit: English; means “white”
Witt: English; meaning unknown
Wolf: German; short form of Wolfgang, meaning “wolf path”
Wynn: Welsh; means “fair,” “blessed,” or “pure”
Starting with X
Xavi: Catalan; diminutive of Xavier, meaning “new house”
Xyan: American; modern invented name
Starting with Y
Yale: Welsh; means “fertile upland”
York: English; means “from the yew estate”
Yuri: Russian, variant of George, meaning “farmer”
Starting with Z
Zach: English; short form of Zachary, meaning “God remembers”
Zack: English; diminutive form of Zachary, meaning “God remembers”
Zaid: Arabic; variant of Zayd, meaning “to increase”
Zain: Arabic; variant of Zayn, meaning “beauty/grace”
Zale: Greek; means “sea strength”
Zane: English; variant of Zayn, meaning “beauty/grace”
Zayd: Arabic; means “increase” or “growth”
Zayn: Arabic; means “beauty/grace”
Zeke: English; short form of Ezekiel, meaning “God strengthens”
Zeus: Greek; means “sky” or “shine”
Zion: Hebrew; means “highest point”
Zuma: Arabic; means “peace”
If you’re open to boy names longer than four letters (don’t forget you need a middle name, too!), check out this list of other baby boy names and their meanings!
I’ve got a comprehensive guide on picking a boy name, too (with 1000 names’ worth of inspiration).
And if you’re not sure whether you’re having a boy or a girl yet, I’ve got a list of the top 1000 baby girl names, too.
