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Two Letter Boy Names

Pamela Redmond
By Pamela Redmond
Updated Wed Nov 22 2023
Two Letter Boy Names

Two letter boy names are a short (ahem) elite list. The top 2 letter names for boys, the only 2 letter male names that stand alone in the Top 1000, are Bo and By.

Two letter names may be nickname names or in a few cases names in their own right. Familiar 2 letter nickname names include Ed, Al, and Cy. Two letter boy names we like include Ax, Oz, and Po.

If you're looking for 2 letter names for your baby boy, here is our complete list, ordered by popularity on Nameberry.

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Boy Names

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  1. Ra

    • Origin:

      Egyptian

    • Meaning:

      "sun"

    • Description:

      The name of the sun god of Egyptian mythology could only be used in combination with a longer name.
  2. Cy

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Cyrus, Persian

    • Meaning:

      "sun"

    • Description:

      This evocative short name is suddenly chic — it was recently chosen by Jennifer Lawrence for her baby boy. JLaw's son's name honors Cy Twombly, the influential mid-century American artist. Born Edwin Parker Twombly Jr., both Cy Twombly and his father shared a nickname after baseball player Cy Young (himself born Denton True Young).
  3. Bo

    • Origin:

      Norse nickname

    • Meaning:

      "to live"

    • Description:

      A popular name in Denmark, in this country Bo has some cowboy swagger and a lot of substance in its minimal two letters. In Mandarin Chinese, Bo means "wave".
  4. Aj

    • Origin:

      Initial name

    • Description:

      Made up of the letters A and J, this initial name is often used as a nickname, however, a growing number of parents are choosing to put AJ on the birth certificate. It has been making the occasional appearance in the England and Wales Top 1000 since 2013.
  5. Po

    • Origin:

      Italian river name

    • Description:

      A river (in Italy), a writer (Bronson), a Teletubby: the Bo of the new millennium.
  6. Oz

    • Origin:

      Hebrew, English, Irish

    • Meaning:

      "strength, powerful, courageous; god's warrior; deer friend"

    • Description:

      While some may think of ruby slippers and a yellow brick road, Oz is a legitimate Hebrew name denoting power. An element in a number of names including Ozni, Oziel, and Ozias, it may also be used as a stand-alone choice which may appeal to those who enjoy the likes of Ty, Ed, Bo, and Cy.
  7. Ty

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of various Ty-beginning names

    • Description:

      As Tyler has begun to recede, a number of parents, including the Wayne Gretzkys, have cut straight to the livelier short form.
  8. Jj

    • Description:

      JJ is a masculine name that functions primarily as a diminutive or nickname, typically derived from first names beginning with the letter J, such as James John, Joseph, Jason, or Jonathan. Often, it represents the initials of a first and middle name combination (e.g., John Jacob). The simplicity of JJ makes it practical and memorable, with a friendly, approachable quality. While some people use JJ only informally, others adopt it as their legal name. Its popularity increased in the late 20th century alongside the trend toward casual, abbreviated names. JJ has gained additional recognition through notable sports figures and entertainers who use this moniker. The name's brevity gives it a modern, unpretentious feel that works well in contemporary naming trends.
  9. Pi

    • Description:

      Most familiar as the name of the titular character in The Life of Pi, in which it was short for Piscine Molitor Patel.
  10. Li

    • Origin:

      Hebrew or Chinese

    • Meaning:

      "to me, or logic, power, beauty"

    • Description:

      This short and sweet multicultural name has a lot of potential meanings packed into its two letters!
  11. Yu

    • Origin:

      Chinese

    • Meaning:

      "shining brightly"

    • Description:

      Yu the Great founded China's first dynasty, but in this country "Hey, you!" would make this name utterly confusing, in an Abbott and Costello way.
  12. Io

    • Origin:

      Japanese

    • Meaning:

      "rely on + emperor, rely on + hero"

    • Description:

      Io is most familiar to English speakers as a female name from Greek mythology, but in Japan it's used for both sexes.
  13. Sy

    • Description:

      Sy is a short masculine name that can serve as a nickname for longer names like Simon, Seymour, or Sylvester, but also stands independently. It has multiple origins, including Hebrew, where it derives from 'Simon' meaning 'listener,' and Chinese, where the character '思' (Sī) means 'to think' or 'to reflect.' Simple and concise, Sy carries a friendly, approachable quality while maintaining a touch of uniqueness. In American culture, it gained some recognition through notable bearers like comedian Sy Feldman and cartoonist Sy Barry. While never among the most popular names, Sy maintains a steady presence particularly among Jewish communities and has seen occasional use throughout the 20th and 21st centuries.
  14. Jo

    • Origin:

      Short form of Joseph, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "Jehovah increases"

    • Description:

      Jo is usually the feminine form of the name, while Joe is the masculine spelling.
  15. Sj

    • Origin:

      Modern, initials S + J

    • Description:

      A two-initial nickname occasionally used on birth certificates.
  16. Tj

    • Origin:

      Modern, initials T + J

    • Description:

      A two-initial nickname occasionally used on birth certificates.
  17. Mo

    • Origin:

      English diminutive of Maurice and Morris

    • Meaning:

      "dark-skinned"

    • Description:

      An exceedingly friendly every-guy nickname that could rise alongside the likes of Ike, Sid, and Ned.
  18. Al

    • Description:

      Al is a masculine name that primarily functions as a shortened form of names beginning with 'Al,' such as Albert (meaning 'noble and bright'), Alfred ('wise counselor'), Alexander ('defender of the people'), or Alvin ('noble friend'). With its single syllable and straightforward pronunciation, Al projects a friendly, approachable quality that has made it enduringly popular as a nickname throughout the 20th century. The name peaked in popularity during the mid-1900s and carries associations with a generation of reliable, hardworking men. Al's simplicity gives it a timeless quality, though in recent decades it has become less common as a standalone given name, with parents more likely to use it as a familiar nickname for longer Al- names.

  19. Eh

    • Description:

      Eh is an uncommon masculine name with origins that are difficult to trace definitively. It may have emerged as a phonetic representation of a verbal pause or interjection, particularly in cultures where this sound carries meaning. In some Southeast Asian contexts, similar sounds can function as names or nicknames. Eh could also represent a shortened form of longer names in various cultures. The name is extremely rare in Western countries, with very few documented uses as a formal given name. Its simplicity and brevity give it a distinctive quality, though this may also present challenges as it could be confused with an expression rather than a name. Due to its uncommon nature, Eh lacks established traditional associations or meanings beyond cultural-specific interpretations.

  20. Ed

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Edward et al

    • Meaning:

      "wealthy"

    • Description:

      The most minimalist of names, Ed is decidedly out -- though that usually means it's due to swing back in. More stylish these days: Ned or even Ted.