2 Letter Boy Names

Ad is a concise masculine name that primarily functions as a shortened form of names beginning with these letters, such as Adam, Adrian, or Addison. With just two letters, it stands as one of the shortest given names in use. Ad has Dutch origins where it serves as a traditional nickname for Adam or Adrian, though it can stand independently. In some contexts, it may derive from the Hebrew element meaning "ornament" or "adornment." The name's brevity gives it a modern, clean feel despite its traditional roots. While uncommon as a formal given name in most English-speaking countries, Ad's simplicity appeals to parents seeking minimalist naming options. The name's pronunciation is straightforward, making it internationally accessible.

Ax makes a somewhat threatening short form of the popular Axel, given to more than 3000 baby boys last year. It can also be used on its own, though it usually isn't. There were, however, seven baby boys named Axe in the US in 2015.

Oy is an exceptionally brief masculine name with multiple potential origins. In Thai culture, it can be a legitimate given name, often with meanings relating to sweetness or sugarcane. In Jewish contexts, 'Oy' is a well-known Yiddish expression rather than a traditional name. The brevity of the name—just two letters—makes it one of the shortest possible names, giving it a distinctive quality in cultures where longer names are the norm. While uncommon in Western naming practices, single-syllable names like Oy have practical advantages in global contexts, being easy to pronounce across language barriers. Its rarity as a given name means that bearers would have a truly distinctive identity.

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.
 
It’s too slight to stand solo on the birth certificate, but we fully endorse Si as a nickname.

Eb is a masculine name of Hebrew origin, likely a shortened form of Ebenezer, which means "stone of help" in Hebrew. This concise, one-syllable name has a straightforward, strong quality to it. Eb appears in literature as a character in Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" (the clerk who works with Scrooge's nephew Fred). The name has never been common in mainstream usage, remaining quite rare across English-speaking countries. Its brevity gives it a modern, minimalist appeal despite its ancient roots. Eb might also be used as a nickname for other names beginning with these letters, such as Ebony, Eberhard, or Ebrahim.

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.

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.

Hy was once a nickname for Hyman, a Jewish Anglicization of Chaim. Today it has gone extinct, for obvious reasons.

Two letter boy names are a short (ahem) elite list. The

, 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 

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.

Boy names with two letters, including meanings, origins, and popularity, with top two-letter boy names and unique boy names with 2 letters. (Page 6)

Two Letter Boy Names