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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- 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".
- 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).
- 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 has been making the occasional appearance in the England and Wales Top 1000 since 2013.
- 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.
- 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.
- Ra
Origin:
EgyptianMeaning:
"sun"Description:
The name of the sun god of Egyptian mythology could only be used in combination with a longer name.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Li
Origin:
Hebrew or ChineseMeaning:
"to me, or logic, power, beauty"Description:
This short and sweet multicultural name has a lot of potential meanings packed into its two letters!
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Ox
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"working cattle"Description:
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Ed
Origin:
Diminutive of Edward et alMeaning:
"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.
- 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.