4 Letter Boy Names

Leal is a masculine name with Latin and Portuguese origins, primarily meaning 'loyal' or 'faithful.' In Portuguese and Spanish cultures, it has traditionally been used as a surname representing these honorable qualities. As a given name, Leal carries connotations of trustworthiness, honor, and steadfastness. The name has an appealing simplicity with its short, one-syllable pronunciation, though in some languages it may be pronounced with two syllables (lay-AL). While uncommon as a first name in most English-speaking countries, Leal has seen modest usage in Portuguese and Spanish-speaking regions. The name's straightforward meaning and cross-cultural appeal make it an understated choice for parents seeking a name that embodies virtue and character while remaining distinctive and somewhat unusual.

Leal

A possible last-name-first name represented by former first baseman Chris Sabo.

Sabo

A sailing and sea-related choice, which also feels connected to the reparative powers of nature (via dock leaves) and to doctors generally, Dock made the Top 1000 in the first half of the 20th century, though today, it is only quietly and sporadically used. 
 
Similar in vibe to Mack, Jack, and Rocky, it could make a cool nickname for Donovan, Duncan, Frederick, Theodoric, Roderick, or Benedict.

Dock

The Dutch answer to Gus. Pronounce it like the English word and you have a <a href="https://nameberry.com/list/643/names-that-mean-aire">name that means air</a>.

Gust

If default nickname Eli is too common for your tastes, you may consider resuscitating the antique nickname Lige for your little Elijah.
 
Lige Conley, born Elijah Crommie, was an American silent film actor.

Lige

Monty Burns, on The Simpsons, smashed to pieces any goodwill for his first name leftover from Monty Python. But if you drop the "y," you're left with a distinctly Gallic sounding nickname name. If it feels to slight for the birth certificate, there are tons of ways to get to it as a nickname: Montgomery, Montana, Montreal, even Montmorency.

Mont

Briefly in the US Top 1000 in the late 19th century, Fate likely emerged as a short form for the old French name, Lafayette. In the contemporary landscape however, it may well be perceived as a word name among English speakers, akin to Destiny, Chance, Blessing, and Chosen. Around six boys are given the name Fate each year in the US, though 2023 saw it rise a little, with ten babies receiving the name.

Fate

Wong is a common romanization of the pinyin Chinese family names Huang and Wang, as well as rarer surnames such as Heng and Hong.

Wong

Guss is a brief, punchy masculine name that typically functions as a nickname for names like Augustus, Gustave, or Angus. This shortened form carries a folksy, unpretentious charm with its single-syllable directness. The name has historical usage particularly in rural American communities in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, where abbreviated names were common. Guss has never achieved mainstream popularity as a standalone name, remaining instead in the realm of familiar nicknames or occasional given names. Its simplicity gives it a certain working-class authenticity and straightforward appeal. For contemporary parents, Guss might be chosen for its vintage feel and connection to longer, more formal names, while still maintaining an independent character of approachable masculinity.

Guss

Hamp is a masculine name with English origins, primarily derived as a shortened form of Hampton, which was originally a place name meaning "home town" or "settlement." It may also function as a nickname for Hampshire or Hammond. Historically, Hamp has been more common as a surname or nickname rather than a given name. Its concise, single-syllable structure gives it a strong, straightforward quality that embodies a certain rugged simplicity. The name carries a traditional English feel with connections to place names and geography. As a given name, Hamp remains quite rare, making it a distinctive choice for parents seeking something uncommon yet accessible. Its brevity makes it practical while still having character and a subtle connection to English heritage.

Hamp

Flem is an extremely rare masculine name that likely originated as a short form of Fleming, a surname referring to someone from Flanders (a region spanning parts of Belgium, France, and the Netherlands). The name has historical roots but has never been common as a given name in English-speaking countries. Flem has a brief, punchy quality with its single syllable and strong consonant ending. While uncommon as a first name, it might be encountered as a nickname or family name passed down through generations. The brevity and uniqueness of Flem give it a distinctive quality, though its similarity to the word "phlegm" has likely contributed to its rarity as a given name.

Flem

Fresher and snappier than Marty and Martin, could Mart be successful as an independent baby name? It certainly has in the Netherlands, where it featured in the Top 300 in a recent year, outranking its longer forms. 




Mart

Otha is a masculine name with American origins, though it may have roots in older Germanic naming elements. The name possibly derives from the Old German name Otto, meaning 'wealth' or 'prosperity,' with a modified spelling and pronunciation. Otha gained modest popularity in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in southern states. Its usage peaked around the 1910s-1920s and has since declined significantly. The name has a vintage, rustic quality that connects to early American rural heritage. Though uncommon today, Otha carries a straightforward, unpretentious character with its simple two-syllable structure. Some notable bearers include American blues musician Otha Turner, helping to preserve the name's cultural legacy despite its rarity in contemporary use.

Otha

A name that's unusual in that changing the i to a y -- as in Byrd -- makes it more masculine.

Bird

Math is a concise, powerful masculine name with multiple cultural origins. In Welsh mythology, Math fab Mathonwy was a king and powerful magician, giving the name deep Celtic roots. It can also be seen as a shortened form of Matthew, derived from Hebrew meaning 'gift of God.' In modern contexts, the name evokes associations with mathematics and logical thinking. This short, punchy name offers simplicity and strength with just four letters, making it easy to pronounce across languages. While uncommon as a standalone given name, Math's brevity aligns with contemporary naming trends favoring short, impactful names. For parents interested in Welsh heritage or looking for a unique alternative to Matthew with intellectual connotations, Math provides a distinctive yet accessible option.

Math

Ples is an uncommon masculine name with roots possibly connected to Old English or Eastern European origins. The name may be a variant of 'Pless' or derived from geographical locations such as places in Russia or the Balkans. As a given name, Ples remains quite rare in contemporary usage, making it a distinctive choice. The name has an appealing brevity and strength in its single syllable. While not widely documented in historical records, it may have connections to family surnames that became given names through ancestral traditions. Its rarity gives it a unique quality for parents seeking an uncommon name with a simple, strong sound.

Ples

Watt

Rube is a masculine name that originated as a diminutive form of Reuben, a Hebrew name meaning 'behold, a son'. Historically, it gained recognition in American culture as a nickname and eventually as a stand-alone name. In the early 20th century, 'Rube' became associated with the cartoon artist Rube Goldberg, known for his illustrations of complicated gadgets. The name has also carried connotations of rural simplicity, as the term 'rube' came to mean a country bumpkin in American slang. Though never extremely popular as a formal given name, it maintains a vintage Americana charm. Its short, straightforward sound gives it an unpretentious quality that might appeal to parents seeking a name with historical character and simplicity.

Rube

Chin is a common surname among those with Chinese or Korean heritage. It is related to the Chinese family names Chen, Jin, Qian, and Qin, and the Korean surname Jin.

Chin

Harl is a concise masculine name with Germanic roots, possibly derived as a shortened form of names like Harley or Harlan, or from Old English 'hær' meaning 'army' or 'warrior.' This brief, straightforward name carries a rugged, no-nonsense quality that evokes strength and directness. Though uncommon in contemporary use, Harl has historical usage particularly in rural communities in the United States and parts of the United Kingdom. The name's brevity gives it a bold, distinctive character that's easy to pronounce and remember. Harl could appeal to parents seeking an uncommon name with traditional roots that projects masculinity and resilience while avoiding trendiness.

Harl

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 161)

1900+ Four Letter Boy Names