Two Letter Boy Names

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.

Si is an intriguing antique nickname for Simon and Silas, and we’ve also heard it as a short form of names that contain the "sigh" sound, like Josiah and Osiris.

Animal names are booming, but this is one that's never been used — although Boaz, which means "ox" in Hebrew, is starting to see more use. With its connotations of strength, teamwork and perseverance, and cool X sound, well, why not? It would work especially well for a child born in the Chinese Year of the Ox (February 2021-January 2022). If you need a longer version an obvious option is Oxford, but there's also Oxley, Oxton, or a slightly different sound like Oakley or Oswald.

A two-initial nickname sometimes used on birth certificates — although these initials have a slang meaning you may prefer to avoid.

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

Musician Ry Cooder brought this short form into the lexicon -- his full name is Ryland -- and it feels more familiar now that more Ry- beginning names such as Ryder and Riley are, ahem, riding up the ranks. The Rye spelling makes it more of a word or a nature name and less of a nickname.

A two-initial nickname occasionally used on birth certificates, with a disco vibe.

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.

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

A two-initial nickname occasionally used on birth certificates.

Were boys really named Wm at the turn of the last century, or was the old-timey abbreviation of William simply what was noted on the official records? We're guessing the latter, but as the Social Security Administration counts each spelling of a name in its tally and doesn't presume to change Wm into William (or Bryleigh into Briley, or is it Brylee?), this name stands as is through the ages.

A two-initial nickname occasionally used on birth certificates.