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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Po
Origin:
Italian river nameDescription:
A river (in Italy), a writer (Bronson), a Teletubby: the Bo of the new millennium.
- 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.
- Sj
Origin:
Modern, initials S + 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.
- 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.
- Hi
Description:
Hi as a given name is extremely rare and unconventional. It may function more as a nickname or abbreviated form of names like Hiram, Hideo, or Hiroshi. In some East Asian cultures, particularly Chinese, characters that might be romanized as 'Hi' could have specific meanings depending on the original character. As a standalone given name in Western contexts, Hi would be highly unusual and might present practical challenges due to its brevity and its common usage as a greeting in English. The name's simplicity might appeal to parents seeking minimalism or uniqueness, though its everyday use as a greeting word could potentially create confusion. Due to its rarity as a given name, there are few cultural or historical associations attached to it.
- 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.
- 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.
- Ab
Description:
Ab is a short masculine name with multiple cultural origins. In Hebrew, it derives from 'אָב' (av) meaning 'father,' reflecting paternal significance in ancient societies. It appears in the Bible as a component of compound names and as the name of the fifth month in the Jewish calendar. In Arabic contexts, Ab can be a variant of Abd, meaning 'servant of.' The name also exists as a diminutive form of Albert or Abraham in some Western traditions. While historically present across several cultures, Ab remains quite rare as a standalone given name in modern usage, offering a distinctively brief, masculine sound with deep historical roots.
- Jd
Origin:
Modern, initials J + DDescription:
A two-initial nickname occasionally used on birth certificates.
- 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.
- 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.
- Jo
Origin:
Short form of Joseph, HebrewMeaning:
"Jehovah increases"Description:
Jo is usually the feminine form of the name, while Joe is the masculine spelling.