3 Letter Boy Names

A classic Top 10 name in Iceland, where it is the predominant form of John.

Jón

Walter is an old school boys' name that is gently on the rise again. Short forms include Walt (as in Disney) and Wally, but Wat was once commonly used in England as a diminutive of Walter.

A small but mighty modern Hebrew name, Rom ranks in Israel's Top 100.

Pär is a masculine Scandinavian name, particularly common in Sweden, representing the Nordic version of Peter. Derived from the Greek 'Petros' meaning 'rock' or 'stone,' Pär carries connotations of steadfastness and reliability. The name features the characteristic Swedish letter 'ä' (pronounced similar to the 'ai' in 'fair'). Though simple in structure, Pär's pronunciation (roughly like 'pair') can vary slightly across Scandinavian regions. The name experienced peak popularity in Sweden during the mid-20th century but has remained a consistent choice for Swedish families seeking a traditional Nordic name. Outside Scandinavia, Pär remains rare, giving it a distinctive quality while still connecting to the internationally recognized Peter. The name's brevity and strength appeal to parents valuing simplicity with cultural depth.

Pär

Ibn is a masculine name of Arabic origin that literally means 'son of' or 'son.' Rather than functioning primarily as a standalone first name, Ibn traditionally serves as a patronymic element in Arabic naming conventions, appearing between a person's given name and their father's name (as in 'Ahmad ibn Muhammad,' meaning 'Ahmad, son of Muhammad'). However, in some contexts, particularly in modern usage or in diaspora communities, Ibn has occasionally been adopted as a given name. The name carries cultural significance in Islamic traditions, appearing frequently in historical texts and religious contexts. While uncommon as a standalone first name in most countries, including Arab nations where it's more commonly used in its traditional patronymic function, Ibn may appeal to parents seeking a name with direct connections to Arabic linguistic heritage and Islamic cultural traditions.

Dox may sound like a modern invention but it actually has a notable historical bearer. Malagasy poet Jean Verdi Salomon Razakandrainy was known mononymously as Dox, inspired by a nickname he received in art school.

Tib was a unisex nickname in the 13th century, used as a short form of Theobald and Isabel. As Theobald waned in popularity, it became far more associated with girls, so much so that Tib was a term for young girls by the 16th century.
 
Now, of course, no such association exists, and Tib could be used on either sex.

Although it sounds like Dean, this name has different origins and is used in Slovenia and Bosnia as well as Arabic-speaking countries.

Common as a surname, not advisable for a first.

Edo is a truly pan-European name with a rich history, having origins in German, Dutch, Italian, Georgian, Croatian, and Slovene. Edo is typically a shortened version of Edward or Edoardo, or the Italian Manfredo and Alfredo. In Dutch and German, Edo can also be a variation of Ede. Notable bearers include Frisian chieftains Edo Wiemken the elder and Edo Wiemken the younger, Italian politician Edoardo "Edo" Ronchi, Croatian painter Edo Murtić, Dutch conductor Edo de Waart, Bosnian rapper Edo Maajka, Croatian writer Edo Popović and American jazz bassist Edo Castro.

Pál is a masculine Hungarian form of Paul, derived from the Latin name Paulus meaning 'small' or 'humble.' Despite its short form, the name carries significant cultural weight in Hungary, where it has been used for centuries. Notable bearers include Hungarian composers, artists, and historical figures. The accent over the 'a' creates a distinctive pronunciation (similar to 'pahl') that distinguishes it from the English Paul. Outside of Hungary and neighboring regions, Pál remains uncommon, giving it an exotic quality while still being relatively easy for non-Hungarian speakers to pronounce. The name combines cultural specificity with biblical heritage, as Paul was a significant apostle in Christian tradition.

Pál

Boi, sometimes used as a standalone in Catalonia, comes from names like Baldwin and Baldric. It doesn't sit so well in the English language, where it sounds like — and is an alternative spelling for — "boy".

Sip was recorded on the US Top 1000 a single year, 1885, when it was given to five baby boys. This may have been a clerical error from its use as a Chinese surname, which is traditionally written before given names.

This Yiddish boy name is the vernacular form of the Hebrew name Dov — both meaning "bear".

Kylie Jenner has proven herself to be a baby name influencer after single-handedly launching her children's names — Stormi and Aire — far up the popularity charts. Can she do the same with Khy, the name of her new fashion brand?
 
Parents already love to put their own spin on Kai — Kye, Ky, and Khai are popular variations — so Khy is almost certainly destined for a spot on the Top 1000.

Sikh name with two appealing meanings, derived from the Sanskrit vīra, meaning "brave, heroic".

Noé

In Greek mythology, Sao was one of the 50 Nereids, daughters of the sea god Nereus. A moon of Neptune is named in her honor. In modern times, it works equally well for a son.

A diminutive of Tomos (Thomas), this little name is becoming more popular in its own right in Wales, where nicknames are in style.
The spelling could prove a head-scratcher for non-Welsh speakers, and it's worth bearing in mind that it sounds very similar to "tomb".
Famous bearers include semi-legendary rogue Twm Siôn Cati, poet Twm o'r Nant, and modern poet and musician Twm Morys.

A Top 10 name in Slovenia, where it is a form of John. Žan is pronounced similarly to the French Jean.

Žan

Three letter boy names are led by Kai, one of the sleek international male names in this fashionable category.

baby boy names with three letters in the US Top 300

 include Eli, Ian, Leo, Max, Jax, and Ace.

: Bob, Jim, Tom, Tim, Joe, and Sam, for instance.

 on our recommended list include Art, Asa, Cal, Fox, Lev, Mac, Pax, Rex, Sem, Van, and Wim.

Take a peek at our full list of three letter names for boys below., ordered by their current popularity on Nameberry. 

Three Letter Boy Names with meanings, origin, and popularity, including top three letter names for boys and unique male names with three letters. (Page 48)