4 Letter Boy Names

Ebon is a masculine name derived from the English word 'ebony,' which refers to a dark, black wood and ultimately comes from Egyptian origins. With its short, strong sound, Ebon projects a powerful masculine image while maintaining a touch of elegance. The name carries associations with strength, rarity, and natural beauty. Though uncommon in mainstream usage, it gained some recognition in African-American communities during the late 20th century as part of a movement embracing names with African connections or meanings. Ebon's simplicity makes it accessible despite its rarity, and its connection to the natural world gives it an organic, substantive quality that many contemporary parents seek.

Ebon

Boas is a masculine name with rich biblical heritage, most famously associated with Boaz from the Book of Ruth in the Old Testament. In Hebrew, the name means 'swiftness' or 'strength.' Boaz was known for his kindness and generosity as the wealthy landowner who married Ruth and became an ancestor of King David. The name Boas represents a spelling variant that maintains the biblical connection while simplifying the pronunciation. Though uncommon in mainstream Western culture, it has maintained steady usage in religious communities, particularly among Christians and Jews who value biblical names. The name carries connotations of compassion, integrity, and prosperity based on its biblical associations. Its concise two-syllable structure gives it a dignified yet accessible quality.

Boas

Surname names that might work as a first, though either of its original forms may be even better.

Lowe

Once you get past thinking of it as a red-painted building where they keep cows and hay, has a nice plainspoken country-like feel and may make a cooler diminutive than the still-purple Barney.

Barn

Lude is an uncommon masculine name with uncertain origins. It may be a shortened form of Germanic names containing the element 'lud' or 'liut,' meaning 'people' or 'folk,' such as Ludwig or Ludovic. Alternatively, it could derive from place names or surnames. In some contexts, it might be related to the Latin 'ludus' meaning 'game' or 'play.' The name has a concise, strong sound with just one syllable, giving it a distinctive quality. Lude remains quite rare in contemporary usage, making it an option for parents seeking something truly unusual. Its brevity and straightforward pronunciation contrast with more elaborate naming trends, though its uncommonness means it lacks established associations or widespread recognition in many cultures.

Lude

Lash might look an unexpected English word name, associated with eyelashes or hitting, striking, whipping, or heavily criticizing someone. It is however a Romani name and a form of the regal Louis, meaning "renowned warrior". 
 
It mat also be considered an English surname, originally given to doctors in the Anglo-Saxon period due to their use of leaches in their profession.

Lash

Luki is a masculine name with multicultural origins and meanings. In Finnish contexts, it can be a diminutive form of Luukas (Lucas/Luke), while in some Slavic languages, it may serve as a nickname for Łukasz (the Polish form of Luke). The name also appears in Indonesian and some Pacific Island cultures with distinct origins. Derived ultimately from the Greek name Loukas, it carries the meaning 'from Lucania' (a region in southern Italy) or connects to the Latin 'lux' meaning 'light.' Luki has a friendly, approachable quality with its short form and ending 'i' that gives it a diminutive, affectionate feel. While uncommon in English-speaking countries, the name offers a friendly, international alternative to the more formal Lucas or Luke, with an appealing brevity and cheerful sound.

Luki

Llon is an extremely rare masculine name that may have Welsh origins, possibly related to the Welsh word 'llon' meaning 'happy' or 'cheerful.' The unusual double 'l' beginning is characteristic of Welsh orthography, where the double 'l' represents a specific consonant sound not found in English. As a given name, Llon remains exceptionally uncommon in English-speaking countries, with very few recorded instances. This makes it a truly distinctive choice for parents seeking something unique. The name's brevity and strong consonant sound give it a bold, modern feel despite its potential traditional roots. Its rarity means that a person named Llon would likely rarely encounter others sharing their name.

Llon

Bush is an uncommon masculine given name derived from an English surname. The surname originally referred to someone who lived near a bush or thicket, coming from the Old English word 'busc.' As a first name, Bush is exceedingly rare, known primarily for its association with the political family that produced two U.S. presidents. The name has strong nature connotations, evoking imagery of vegetation and wild landscapes. While some might choose it to honor the political family, others might select it for its simple, strong sound and natural associations. Its brevity gives it a distinct, memorable quality, though its primary recognition remains as a surname rather than a given name.

Bush

Hung is a masculine name with significant usage in Vietnamese culture, where it's pronounced with a rising tone unlike its English pronunciation. In Vietnamese, Hùng means 'brave' or 'heroic' and carries strong connotations of courage and strength. The name has historical significance in Vietnam, connected to the legendary Hùng kings who are considered the founders of Vietnamese civilization. While the name may face pronunciation and unfortunate homonym challenges in English-speaking countries, it remains a proud cultural identifier for many Vietnamese families globally. In Chinese culture, the name (洪) can represent greatness or vastness, often symbolizing prosperity and grand ambitions. It's a name that carries deep cultural meaning for its bearers.

Hung

Loni is a versatile name used for both boys and girls, though traditionally masculine in some cultures. With Hawaiian origins, Loni means 'sky' or 'heaven,' connecting the bearer to celestial elements. In Germanic usage, it's a short form of names containing the element 'lon,' meaning 'ready for battle.' The name gained some recognition in the United States through actress Loni Anderson in the 1970s-80s. As a masculine name, Loni remains uncommon but appealing for its brevity and friendly sound. It works well cross-culturally, with recognizable pronunciations in multiple languages. The name's simplicity and positive meanings make it attractive to parents seeking something short and meaningful without being trendy. Loni's dual-gender usage varies by region, with stronger masculine associations in Scandinavian and Pacific Island cultures.

Loni

Tuan is a masculine name with rich multicultural origins, most prominently Vietnamese, where it means 'gentleman' or 'dignified person.' In Vietnamese usage, it's often paired with another name like Anh-Tuan or Minh-Tuan, though it can stand alone. In Chinese culture, Tuan (with different characters) can mean 'correct' or 'upright.' The name also appears in Arabic contexts, derived from 'tawaan' meaning 'repentance' or 'returning to righteousness.' With its short, strong pronunciation and positive connotations across multiple cultures, Tuan has gained modest recognition internationally. In the United States, it remains uncommon but recognizable, particularly in communities with Vietnamese heritage, valued for its simplicity, distinctive sound, and meaningful associations with dignity and proper conduct.

Tuan

Lonn is a compact masculine name with multiple possible origins. In Scandinavian countries, it may derive from Old Norse 'hlunnr,' meaning 'roller' or 'log,' or potentially from 'lundr,' meaning 'grove.' In English contexts, it often functions as a shortened form of names like Lonnie or London. The name has also been associated with the Germanic element 'lun,' referring to strength or vigor. Lonn's brevity gives it a modern, strong feel while its Norse connections lend a touch of Viking heritage. Though rare in mainstream usage, Lonn appeals to parents seeking a succinct, distinctive name with a masculine energy. Its simplicity makes it unlikely to be mispronounced or misspelled, despite its uncommon status.

Lonn

Lisa was so popular for girls in the late sixties and early seventies that according to government statistics some parents chose it for their sons, too.  Either that or there were some serious mixups in the records bureau.

Lisa

Dann is a masculine name that functions as a short form of Daniel or occasionally as an independent given name. The Hebrew name Daniel means "God is my judge" and has biblical roots, appearing in the Old Testament. Dann, with its streamlined spelling featuring the doubled final consonant, emerged as a casual variant primarily in English-speaking countries during the 20th century. While less common than Dan or Danny as a nickname, Dann offers a slightly distinctive variation on the traditional spelling. The name projects a friendly, approachable quality while maintaining a masculine strength. Though never reaching high popularity rankings, Dann appears occasionally as both a given name and surname across Western countries.

Dann

Logn is a masculine name with Nordic origins, particularly from Old Norse. In Norse languages, 'logn' means 'calm' or 'stillness,' often referring specifically to the calmness of water or weather - a stillness after a storm. This connection gives the name a peaceful, serene quality. Logn is exceedingly rare as a personal name in English-speaking countries but may be found occasionally in Scandinavian communities. Its brevity and strong consonant ending give it a distinct, modern feel despite its ancient origins. The name might appeal to parents with Nordic heritage or those seeking a minimalist name with a meaningful connection to natural tranquility.

Logn

This variation of the surname Loeb works even better than the original as a first name, though any child named Loew will inevitably have to endure a lifetime's worth of "high and...." jokes.  Other leonine options: Leopold or Lionel.

Loew

Rahn is a concise masculine name with diverse origins. In German contexts, it derives from Middle High German 'rah' meaning 'slender' or 'thin,' originally a nickname for someone of slim build. It also appears as a variant of the Hebrew name Ran, meaning 'singing' or 'joyful.' In some Persian communities, Rahn relates to concepts of path or way. This multicultural name remains uncommon in English-speaking countries but has seen occasional use across Europe and the Middle East. With its short, strong phonetics and cross-cultural versatility, Rahn appeals to parents seeking a distinctive yet accessible name. Its simplicity makes it easy to pronounce while still feeling distinctive.

Rahn

Kirt is a masculine name primarily found in English-speaking countries, representing a variation of the more common Kurt or Curt. These names originated from the German Conrad, meaning "brave counsel" or "bold advisor." This simplified, streamlined spelling emerged in America during the mid-20th century, reflecting a preference for straightforward, strong-sounding masculine names. Kirt peaked in popularity during the 1950s and 1960s but has since become quite uncommon, giving it a distinctive quality today. The name's brevity and strong consonant sounds convey a sense of strength and decisiveness. Despite its rarity, Kirt remains recognizable and easy to pronounce, making it an understated choice that carries traditional masculine qualities without being overly common.

Kirt

Derl is an uncommon masculine name with American roots, likely emerging as a shortened form of names like Darrell or as a variant of Darl. This short, single-syllable name gained modest usage in the United States during the early to mid-20th century but remains quite rare today. With its brief, straightforward structure, Derl has a certain rural American charm that evokes mid-century simplicity. The name has never been in the popular rankings and is most commonly found in rural areas, particularly in the American South and Midwest. Its simplicity and rarity appeal to parents seeking an uncommon, unpretentious name with a distinctively American character and straightforward pronunciation.

Derl

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 109)

1900+ Four Letter Boy Names