Three Letter Boy Names

Zio

Italian word name

"uncle"

Zio is a pet form for names ending with 'zio', such as Maurizio, Marzio and Tiburzio. As a full name in Italian, though it wouldl be like naming your son Uncle Uncle.

Zvi

Hebrew

"deer"

An alternative transcription of Tzvi, the latter of which is a Top 100 pick in Israel. It's a cool, sharp-sounding micro name which would make for a great distinctive alternative to Levi.

Zia

Arabic, Hebrew

"splendour, light, glow; shaking, trembling"

A succinct variation of Ziya, Zia is an Arabic boy name, with a glowing meaning, also used as the Urdu and Bengali transcription. Notable bearers of the name include Bangaledeshi politician Ziaur…

Ziv

Hebrew

"brilliance"

Also a synonym for the Hebrew month of Iyar, which usuually falls in May, would work and play well with others like Zev and Lev.

Yon

Yon is a masculine name with various origins. In Korean, it means 'lotus' or 'divine grace,' symbolizing purity and enlightenment. In Hebrew, it's a diminutive of Jonathan, meaning 'gift of God.' In…

Kep

Kep is a short, distinctive masculine name with multiple possible origins. It may derive from Cambodian geography, referring to Kep Province, giving it cultural significance in Southeast Asian…

Fox

Animal name

Fox is one animal name backed by a longish tradition, and then popularized via the lead character Fox Mulder on X Files . Fox is simple, sleek, and a little bit wild, and could make an interesting…

Pau

Catalan variant of Paul

"small; peace"

A very common name in Catalonia, in the northeast of Spain, in no small part because it translates as "peace" in the Catalan tongue. Alec and HIlaria Baldwin used it as one of the middle names for…

Pol

Breton and Catalan form of Paul

"small"

Pol, pronounced as "pole," though a popular Breton name, would be an unusual form of a simple classic elsewhere. The Breton Saint Pol Aurelian was known as a slayer of dragons and a founder of…

Pal

Pal is a masculine name with multiple cultural origins. In Hungarian, it's equivalent to Paul, derived from Latin 'Paulus' meaning 'small' or 'humble.' In South Asian cultures, particularly India,…

Tam

Scottish variation of Thomas, Aramaic

"twin"

Popularized in Scotland by Tam O'Shanter, the hero of one of Robert Burns' most famous poems, it's associated in the U.S. with the plaid cap he gave his name to. But this could make a creative honor…

Xen

Japanese

"meditation"

Xen and Zen, both pronounced the same way, are two hip new spiritual word names from Buddhist practice. Among the celebrity set, Corey Feldman has a Zen and Tisha Campbell Martin's son is Xen.

Jex

English surname derived from Jacques

Decidedly offbeat name that combines jauntiness with that uber-cool X, and would certainly set your son up for life outside the mainstream.

Cab

English diminutive of Cabell

Even for lovers of Cab (born, yes, Cabell) Calloway's music, the connection to 'Taxi!' is too strong.

Eno

Even if you love Brian Eno, this doesn't make the most melodic name.

Ico

Ico is a compact masculine name with multiple possible origins. In Japanese, it can mean 'first-born son' or relate to various kanji combinations with different meanings. It also appears in some…

Aro

Finnish diminutive of Aaron

Aro is a cute name from Scandinavia which, given the popularity of similar names like Milo, Arlo etc might be ripe for more usage outside of the Nordic countries.

Bly

English surname name

"friendly"

The surname of enterprising journalist Nellie Bly and poet Robert Bly makes a simple, modern, and upbeat sounding choice for either a boy or a girl.

Lem

Diminutive of Lemuel, Hebrew

"devoted to God"

Lem is a corn-cob pipe-smoking, back porch-rocking nickname name. But we predict as Sam and Gus become ho-hum, more parents will look to Lem.

Ici

Ici is an unusual and compact masculine name with multiple potential origins. In French, "ici" means "here," suggesting presence and immediacy. The name could also be derived from various indigenous…