4 Letter Boy Names

French spelling of Leo, currently a bit hit with French-speaking parents.

Léo

When ordering a baby name, hold the mayo. 

Mayo

Emmo is a masculine name with Germanic origins, functioning as a short form of names containing the element 'erm' or 'irm,' meaning 'whole' or 'universal.' It has historical usage particularly in northern Germany and the Netherlands. The name may also connect to Emma, which despite being predominantly feminine today, has masculine roots. Emmo carries a strong, concise sound with its repeated 'm' creating a memorable phonetic quality. While uncommon in most English-speaking countries, it has maintained modest usage in parts of Europe. The name's brevity gives it a modern feel despite its ancient origins, making it appealing to parents seeking short, distinctive names with historical depth.

Emmo

Jabe is a masculine name with multiple possible origins. It may be a shortened form of Jacob (meaning 'supplanter' in Hebrew) or a variant of the Biblical name Jabez, which means 'he makes sorrowful' but is associated with blessing and honor in scripture. In some cases, Jabe functions as a modern, simplified spelling of the rare name Jareb. The name's brevity gives it a strong, distinctive quality while maintaining an approachable feel. Though uncommon throughout recorded naming history, Jabe has seen occasional usage in the United States, particularly in southern regions. The name's concise nature aligns with contemporary preferences for short, straightforward boys' names with traditional roots.

Jabe

Elvo is an uncommon masculine name with possible Latin or Italian roots. It may be related to names like Elvin or Elvis, or could derive from the Latin 'alvus' meaning 'hollow' or 'cavity.' Another possibility is that it's a shortened form of names beginning with 'El-' such as Elvin or Elwood. Elvo has a concise, modern sound while maintaining a classical feel. The name is extremely rare in most English-speaking countries, making it a unique choice for parents seeking distinction. Its brevity gives it contemporary appeal, while the soft 'v' sound adds a gentle quality to this masculine name. Elvo's rarity offers the advantage of individuality while still being relatively easy to pronounce and spell.

Elvo

Gaby is a masculine name that functions as a diminutive of Gabriel, which comes from Hebrew origins meaning 'God is my strength.' While Gaby is also used for girls (often short for Gabrielle), as a boy's name it maintains the biblical connection of Gabriel while offering a more casual, approachable feel. The name has international appeal, being recognized in many cultures including Spanish, French, and German-speaking countries. Gaby has a friendly, unpretentious quality that balances masculinity with a certain gentleness. Though relatively uncommon as a formal name for boys in English-speaking countries, it's often used as a nickname and carries cross-cultural versatility.

Gaby

Another culture's version of the month-naming tradition: this is the sixth month of the Jewish calendar.

Elul

Keye is an uncommon masculine name with multiple possible origins. It could be a variant spelling of Kay (derived from the Welsh 'Cai,' associated with Arthurian legend), or a surname-turned-first-name related to 'key' in its literal sense. This distinctive spelling gives the name a more modern, eye-catching quality. While never widely popular, Keye has appeared occasionally in usage records throughout the 20th century. The name's brevity and strong 'K' sound convey a sense of sharpness and clarity. With just one syllable and an unexpected spelling, Keye appeals to parents seeking a name that is concise yet distinctive, with subtle connections to Welsh heritage or metaphorical associations with unlocking potential.

Keye

Arve is a masculine name of Scandinavian origin, particularly common in Norway. The name derives from the Old Norse elements "arn" or "örn" meaning "eagle" and "vig" meaning "battle," thus conveying the meaning "eagle in battle" or "eagle warrior." In Norwegian rivers, "Arve" also refers to a river formed by glacial runoff, adding natural symbolism to the name. Compact and strong, Arve features prominently in Norse mythology and Scandinavian heritage. While relatively uncommon outside Nordic countries, the name has straightforward pronunciation and a distinctive sound that travels well internationally. The eagle symbolism conveys qualities of strength, vision, and freedom, while the battle element suggests courage and protection. Arve represents a distinctive choice for parents seeking a name with authentic Nordic roots and powerful meaning.

Arve

Arto is a masculine name with multiple cultural origins. In Finnish, it derives from the name Arthur, meaning "bear" or "stone." It's also used in Armenian communities, where it may be short for Artoush -- another Arthur variation meaning bear -- or Artavazd. In Spanish-speaking contexts, it could relate to "arte" meaning "art." 

Arto is characterized by its brevity and strength, with just two syllables and a distinctive ending 'o' that's common in masculine names. Though rare in the United States, it enjoys modest popularity in Finland and parts of Eastern Europe. The name carries an artistic, creative connotation while maintaining a strong, masculine sound. Its international versatility and uncommon status make it appealing to parents seeking a simple yet distinctive name with cross-cultural significance.

Arto

Feel is an unconventional masculine name with uncertain etymological origins. It may have evolved as a variant of Philip (lover of horses) or possibly derived from the English word 'feel,' relating to sensation or emotion. As a given name, Feel is extremely rare across English-speaking countries, with virtually no documented usage in mainstream records. The name's uniqueness may appeal to parents seeking something distinctive and evocative. However, its unusual nature and potential association with the common English verb might present practical challenges for a child. Unlike similar-sounding names like Phil or Felix, Feel has not established itself in contemporary naming trends.

Feel

Fabi is a charming masculine name with multiple cultural origins. Primarily, it serves as a diminutive of Fabian, derived from the Roman family name Fabius, meaning 'bean grower' or 'of the Fabii family' — an ancient and distinguished Roman clan. In Germanic countries, Fabi functions as an affectionate nickname, while in Spanish and Italian contexts, it stands as a familiar form of Fabián or Fabio. This short, melodic name carries a friendly, approachable quality while maintaining cross-cultural appeal. Though uncommon as a formal given name in English-speaking countries, Fabi has modest usage in Europe and Latin America. Its brevity and friendly sound make it appealing for parents seeking a name that feels contemporary yet has historical roots, offering an alternative to longer traditional forms.

Fabi

Ewyn is an uncommon masculine name with Celtic and Anglo-Saxon roots. It may be a variation of names like Ewen, Ewan, or Owen, which derive from the Welsh name Owain, meaning 'well-born' or 'young warrior.' Alternatively, it could relate to the Old English name Edwin, combining 'ead' (wealth, fortune) and 'wine' (friend). The distinctive spelling with a 'y' gives this classic name a contemporary twist. Ewyn remains relatively rare, appealing to parents seeking a name with historical depth but a modern feel. Its brevity and melodic quality make it both memorable and easy to pronounce across cultures.

Ewyn

Maxy is a masculine name that can function as a diminutive of Maxwell or Maximilian, both strong traditional names with rich histories. Maxwell has Scottish origins meaning 'Mack's stream' or 'Mack's spring,' while Maximilian comes from Latin meaning 'greatest.' The playful ending with 'y' gives Maxy an affectionate, approachable quality that balances the formality of its potential full forms. While relatively uncommon as a legal given name, Maxy has been used as a nickname and occasionally as a standalone name, particularly in recent decades as parents have embraced more casual-sounding names. The name carries a friendly, energetic vibe that works well for a child while still being adaptable for an adult. Its simplicity and upbeat sound make it memorable and distinctive without being difficult to spell or pronounce.

Maxy

Eatu is an extremely rare masculine name with uncertain origins. It may have roots in various Pacific Island languages or could be a modern creative invention. The name's brevity and unique vowel combination give it a distinctive sound and appearance. With just two syllables (E-a-tu), it has a rhythmic quality that makes it memorable despite its unfamiliarity. Eatu doesn't appear in traditional name rankings or etymological references, suggesting it may be used in very specific cultural contexts or as a truly unique personal choice. The name's rarity offers complete individuality, appealing to parents seeking a name without common associations or predetermined meanings in Western contexts.

Eatu

Affable and creative and perfectly able to stand alone; there's nothing Scroogish about it, even though it is usually spelled Eben.

Eban

Dunc is a shortened form of Duncan, a name with Scottish Gaelic origins meaning "dark warrior" or "dark-skinned fighter." This brief, punchy nickname conveys strength and directness while maintaining connection to its distinguished heritage. Dunc has historically functioned primarily as a familiar form rather than a given name on birth certificates, though some families choose it as a standalone name. The nickname gained some recognition through notable bearers such as basketball coach Duncan "Dunc" Reid and other sports figures. With its single-syllable structure and strong consonant ending, Dunc projects a masculine, no-nonsense character while offering a more casual alternative to the formal Duncan.

Dunc

If you're looking for a Euro-chic alternative to Max, Mats is a strong possibility. It's a fading classic in Norway, but is popular in the Netherlands and Belgium, where short names are the height of style.

Mats

Niki is a masculine name of Greek origin, derived from the name Nikolaos (Nicholas), meaning "victory of the people." While Niki can be used for both genders in some cultures, it has historically been more common as a male name in Greek tradition. The shortened form maintains the energetic essence of its longer counterparts while offering a more casual, approachable quality. Internationally, Niki has seen varying degrees of usage, particularly in Greece and Eastern European countries. The name carries associations with triumph and success, partly due to its connection to Nike, the Greek goddess of victory. Its brevity and cross-cultural adaptability make it an accessible option across different linguistic backgrounds.

Niki

Domo is a rare masculine name with multiple cultural origins. In Japanese, 'domo' is a versatile word expressing thanks or greeting, giving the name a sense of gratitude and politeness. It gained some recognition through the Japanese character Domo-kun, a brown monster mascot for Japan's NHK television station. In Latin language roots, Domo relates to 'domus' meaning 'home' or 'household,' suggesting warmth and shelter. The name has a simple, strong phonetic quality with its two distinct syllables. While uncommon in Western countries, Domo offers parents a short, memorable, cross-cultural option with positive associations. Its rarity makes it distinctive, though recipients might frequently need to explain its pronunciation and origins.

Domo

Four letter boy names have topped the popularity list for several years now, with Liam taking over for longtime favorite Noah.

 boys' names with four letters in the US Top 100

 include Levi, Ryan, Ezra, Owen, Luke, Jack, Evan, Axel, Jace, and Jose.



John and its short form Jack, two of the top male names of all time, both have four letters. Other

 include Abel, Adam, Amos, Carl, Eric, Mark, and Paul.

 on our recommended list include Beau, Cove, Elio, Ford, Hart, Huck, Land, Nico, Otis, Pike, Rafi, and Shaw.



View our entire list of boy names with four letters here, ordered by their current popularity on Nameberry. 

Four letter boy names including meaning, origin, and popularity, with top four letter boy names Noah and Jack and unique four letter names for boys (Page 105)

1900+ Four Letter Boy Names