When it comes to baby boy names, those that are short and sweet are among some of the most popular picks. One quick glance at the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) website and you’ll see many of the top 1000 baby boy names contain five letters or less. In fact, many are four letters.
Want to get in on this trend, but are stumped on where to start? Don’t worry, we’ve rounded up some of the best short baby boy names for your new bundle of joy. We've also pulled some ideas from Nameberry, the world's largest website devoted to baby names, created by baby name experts Pamela Redmond and Linda Rosenkrantz.
These names may be short on syllables, but make no mistake, they can pack a powerful punch. Short names can be just as strong and commanding as longer monikers. What’s more, shorter names are often easier to pronounce and spell, making them a good choice for many. No matter if you’re looking for something unique, trendy or something in between, this roundup has some of the best short boy names that will leave a lasting impression.
Remember, adding middle names is a great way to lengthen your child’s name. Middle names add something special that speaks to their identity and distinguishes them from others who may have a similar or the same first name. Regardless of what you name your son, you can always call him yours.
Two-Letter Short Boy Names
Interestingly enough, there are only a couple boys' names on the SSA list that are only two letters long: Bo and Ty. So while it's tough to find a ton of choices for two-letter names, three- and four-letter names abound.
Three-Letter Short Boy Names
Three letters are almost as short as a name can get. If you really want to keep it quick, consider one of these popular baby boy names.
- Leo
- Eli
- Kai
- Ian
- Ace
- Max
- Jax
- Ali
- Ari
- Jay
- Dax
- Asa
- Koa
- Roy
- Sam
- Rio
- Mac
- Rex
- Lee
- Tru
- Rey
- Ben
- Avi
- Joe
- Noe
- Ira
- Ray
- Jon
- Axl
- Wes
- Van
- Cal
- Kye
- Fox
- Neo
- Zev
- Bix
- Bud
- Ren
- Eko
- Eno
- Guy
- Han
- Hal
- Isa
- Jah
- Joa
- Kem
- Kaz
- Kei
- Kyo
- Law
- Lux
- Mio
- Nyx
- Obi
- Pio
- Rem
- Rok
- Sax
- Sea
- Tab
- Tex
- Tay
- Tip
- Uku
- Uzi
- Way
- Xue
- Wyn
Four-Letter Short Boy Names
Four letter and two vowel names are colloquially called "raindrop names" for the way they just bounce off the tongue. Here are some names to consider for your own raindrop.
- Liam
- Noah
- Jack
- Levi
- Owen
- John
- Luke
- Ezra
- Luca
- Ryan
- Axel
- José
- Beau
- Jace
- Adam
- Gael
- Luka
- Evan
- Amir
- Milo
- Cole
- Zion
- Luis
- Enzo
- Theo
- Jude
- Juan
- Dean
- Ivan
- Leon
- Finn
- King
- Arlo
- Alex
- Abel
- Alan
- Joel
- Eric
- Colt
- Knox
- Nash
- Zane
- Kash
- Jett
- Mark
- Cash
- Paul
- Nico
- Lane
- Omar
- Crew
- Zayn
- Niko
- Rory
- Cruz
- Kobe
- Reid
- Tate
- Cody
- Wade
- Odin
- Kane
- Jake
- Otto
- Cade
- Remy
- Sean
- Kyle
- Kade
- Noel
- Onyx
- Rhys
- Reed
- Troy
- Sage
- Hank
- Hugo
- Ford
- Erik
- Kian
- Adan
- Andy
- Mack
- Iker
- Seth
- Jase
- Eden
- Drew
- Ares
- Koda
- Kylo
- Saul
- Gage
- Zain
- Amos
- Raul
- Clay
- Case
- Otis
- Trey
- Zaid
- Tony
- Emir
- Aden
- Alec
- Ozzy
- Grey
- Neil
- Remi
- Aron
- Lian
- Musa
- Milo
- Hugh
- Kyro
- Rome
- Dash
- Zayd
- Rudy
- Bode
- Kase
- Bear
- Elio
- Dane
- Nova
- Kole
- Kace
- Dior
- Kyng
- Gary
- Joey
- Jaxx
- Carl
- Ayan
- Zyon
- Jair
- Elon
- Cain
- Gian
- Rene
- Kody
- Aldo
- Cory
- Khai
- Leif
- Koen
- Gray
- Cove
- Niam
- Ravi
- Olin
- Cruz
- Mars
- Hart
- Zuko
- Wren
- Eero
- Ezio
- Eryx
- Rami
- Roan
- Keir
- Cole
- Ross
- Ewan
- Shai
- Duke
- Xavi
- Rome
- Toby
- Cato
- Emil
- Beck
- Romy
- Yves
- Roux
- Izan
- Lars
- Coen
- Zeno
Marisa (she/her) has covered all things parenting, from the postpartum period through the empty nest, for Good Housekeeping since 2018; previously, she wrote about parents and families at Parents and Working Mother. She lives with her toy-collecting husband and daughter in Brooklyn, where she can be found helping out her team at bar trivia or posting about movies on Twitter and Bluesky.
Karla Pope is a longtime writer, editor and blogger with more than two decades of editorial experience. She’s written for a variety of outlets including Good Housekeeping, Woman’s Day, Travel + Leisure, Tripadvisor, People, Parade and more. Her coverage includes travel, lifestyle, entertainment and wellness content. When she's not exploring the world with her family, you can find her curled up on the couch watching a documentary and eating gummy bears.
