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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- Cy
Origin:
Diminutive of Cyrus, PersianMeaning:
"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).
- Bo
Origin:
Norse nicknameMeaning:
"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".
- Ra
Origin:
EgyptianMeaning:
"sun"Description:
The name of the sun god of Egyptian mythology could only be used in combination with a longer name.
- Po
Origin:
Italian river nameDescription:
A river (in Italy), a writer (Bronson), a Teletubby: the Bo of the new millennium.
- Aj
Origin:
Initial nameDescription:
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 was one of the fastest rising boy names in England and Wales in 2023 and has appeared in the Top 1000 there a number of times since 2013.
- 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.
- Ty
Origin:
Diminutive of various Ty-beginning namesDescription:
As Tyler has begun to recede, a number of parents, including the Wayne Gretzkys, have cut straight to the livelier short form.
- Tj
Origin:
Modern, initials T + JDescription:
A two-initial nickname occasionally used on birth certificates.
- Io
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"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.
- Oz
Origin:
Hebrew, English, IrishMeaning:
"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.
- Md
Description:
Md is most commonly used as an abbreviation for 'Mohammed' (or Muhammad), one of the world's most popular masculine names honoring the Prophet of Islam. This abbreviated form is particularly common in Bangladesh, parts of India, and some other South Asian countries, often appearing on official documents and signatures. The full name Mohammed derives from Arabic and means 'praiseworthy' or 'praised one.' While technically an abbreviation, Md functions as a given name in its own right for many bearers. Its extreme brevity makes it distinctive, though it may cause confusion in international contexts where such abbreviations are less familiar. For many families, using Md represents a connection to Islamic tradition while offering a compact alternative to the full name, which has numerous spelling variations across different cultures.
- 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.
- Jc
Description:
JC is a masculine name that typically functions as a shortened form of names with the initials J.C., such as James Charles, John Calvin, Jesus Christ, or simply as an independent name. Its origins are primarily practical, arising from the common use of initials as nicknames in English-speaking countries. The name gained traction in the 20th century and continues to be used both formally and informally. JC carries a straightforward, unpretentious quality that appeals to parents seeking simplicity. In Christian communities, the initials may hold special significance due to their association with Jesus Christ. In contemporary usage, JC offers a modern, efficient sound that works well in professional and casual settings alike.
- 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.
- Cj
Description:
CJ is a modern abbreviated name typically formed from the initials of first and middle names beginning with C and J, such as Christopher James, Charles John, or Cara Jane. This concise name gained popularity in the late 20th century alongside the trend toward shorter, more casual names and initials as standalone identities. CJ projects a friendly, approachable quality while maintaining a certain coolness and versatility. Its gender-neutral nature, though slightly more common for males, adds to its contemporary appeal. The name has been featured in popular culture through characters in television and film, helping to establish it as more than just a nickname but a legitimate given name in its own right.
- Rj
Origin:
Modern, initials R + JDescription:
A two-initial nickname occasionally used on birth certificates.
- Ej
Description:
Ej is an extremely concise masculine name that likely functions as either an abbreviation of longer names starting with these letters (such as Elijah, Edward, or Eugene) or as a phonetic rendering of initials (E.J.). Its brevity gives it a modern, minimalist quality that stands out in contemporary naming trends. While uncommon as a formal given name in most countries, Ej may be used as a nickname or chosen name in everyday life. The simplicity of the two-letter construction makes it globally accessible across different languages and cultural contexts, though its pronunciation (likely "edge" or "ee-jay") might vary. As a formal given name, Ej represents the growing trend toward shorter, more direct naming choices that break with traditional naming conventions.
- Bj
Origin:
Modern, initials B + JDescription:
A two-initial nickname sometimes used on birth certificates — although these initials have a slang meaning you may prefer to avoid.
- Ky
Description:
Ky is a modern minimalist masculine name with multiple possible origins. As a standalone name, it may be derived from the Irish 'Caodhain' (meaning 'little battle') or can function as a shortened form of names like Kyle, Kyler, or Kyson. In Vietnamese culture, Ky can mean 'rare' or 'precious.' The name has gained modest popularity in recent decades as parents increasingly favor short, punchy names with international appeal. Its simplicity makes it versatile across cultures while its distinctive sound helps it stand out. Ky embodies contemporary naming trends that prioritize brevity and uniqueness.
- Jb
Origin:
English, nicknameDescription:
Initial nicknames have a cool, casual sound, but you'd have to be bold — or really want to leave your kid's options open — to put just the letters on the birth certificate.