4 Letter Boy Names

A very common boys' name in South Asia, with a strong meaning. Some are bound to pronounce it AJ, as in Soprano.

Ajay

This spelling variation of trending unisex Ari — both diminutives of Hebrew Ariel — means "lion of God".

Arie

Earl is a title name - brought to England by the vikings - that's out of fashion right now, unlike King and Duke. Its peak popularity was in the 1920s, which gives it a dusty great-grandpa feel, but there are also younger Earls in pop culture, like the reformed criminal in "My Name is Earl".

Earl

Like Ray, a formerly funky nickname name that is newly cool. Comedian Amy Schumer used it for her son. 

While technically Gene is short for Eugene, it can certainly be used on its own as an honor name for grandpa Eugene or even grandma Jean.

Gene

A subtle and attractive name for the child of a poet or poetry-enthusiast.

Kavi

A smart and simple unisex Japanese name meaning "sky". It actually has a second nature meaning in Finnish, albeit a slightly less appealing one: "gravel".

Sora

Tyce is a modern masculine name with multiple possible origins. It may be a variant of Tice, which originated as a medieval diminutive of names like Matthias or Matthew. Alternatively, it could be related to the surname Tyson, meaning 'firebrand' or 'passionate one.' Tyce emerged as a given name primarily in the United States in the late 20th century and has seen modest but increasing usage in recent decades. Its appeal lies in its contemporary sound and compact, strong quality. The name has a dynamic, energetic feel that appeals to parents seeking something distinctive yet accessible. While still uncommon, Tyce has gained recognition through several athletes and entertainers bearing the name.

Tyce

A name that defines itself, a bit more curt in the harder K version.

Kurt

Taim is a compact masculine name with multiple potential origins. In Arabic contexts, it may relate to 'taim' meaning 'servant' or 'slave' (often in religious contexts as 'servant of God'). It could also be a variant of Tim or a shortened form of names like Taimur, which has Persian roots meaning 'iron.' In Irish, 'táim' means 'I am,' giving the name philosophical undertones. This cross-cultural name offers simplicity and strength with its single syllable and straightforward pronunciation. Though uncommon in mainstream Western usage, Taim provides a distinctive alternative to popular short names like Liam or Noah. The name's brevity and international connections make it appealing to parents seeking minimalist names with cultural depth.

Taim

Aman is a multicultural masculine name with origins spanning several traditions. In Sanskrit, it means 'peace' or 'tranquility,' while in Arabic it can mean 'security' or 'safety.' The name also appears in Punjabi, Persian, and other cultural traditions, each with similar positive connotations. This cross-cultural versatility has made Aman increasingly popular in diverse communities around the world. Its simple pronunciation, melodic sound, and universal meaning contribute to its appeal. The name carries a gentle strength and projects qualities of harmony and protection that transcend cultural boundaries. Aman's growing popularity reflects the modern trend toward names with positive meanings that work well in multicultural contexts.

Aman

Melo is a concise masculine name with multiple cultural origins. In Greek, it relates to 'melos' meaning 'song' or 'melody,' giving it musical connotations. In some Portuguese and Spanish-speaking regions, it functions as a shortened form of surnames like Carmelo or as a nickname for Carmelo, which refers to Mount Carmel in Israel. The name has a modern, vibrant quality while maintaining simplicity. With just four letters, Melo is easily pronounced across various languages and cultures. Though uncommon as a formal given name, its rising usage reflects contemporary preferences for short, distinctive names. It carries a friendly, approachable quality while still feeling distinctive and memorable.

Melo

Enoc is a masculine name with ancient biblical roots, representing a variation of Enoch. In Hebrew, the name means 'dedicated' or 'initiated.' In the Bible, Enoch was a righteous man who 'walked with God' and was taken to heaven without experiencing death. This spelling variant is particularly common in Spanish-speaking countries and communities. The name carries spiritual significance across several religious traditions, appearing in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic texts. While not among the most popular names in English-speaking countries, Enoc maintains steady usage particularly in Hispanic communities. It offers a strong biblical connection with a slightly different orthographic presentation than the more common English spelling. The name combines ancient heritage with a clean, modern sound.

Enoc

Joab is the biblical name of an advisor of David, who led many military victories, and is surely much more usable than the burdened Job.  A similar option is Joah, a possible replacement for Jonah or Noah.


Joab

Zian is a modern masculine name with multicultural origins. In Chinese, it can mean 'persistent' or 'ever-growing,' derived from characters that represent strength and continuity. In Arabic contexts, it may be related to 'adornment' or 'beauty.' The name has gained popularity in recent decades as parents seek unique, distinctive names with positive meanings. Zian's short, strong sound structure makes it appealing across different cultures and languages. In Western countries, it offers an alternative to more common Z-names like Zion or Zane, while maintaining a contemporary feel. The name has been steadily rising in usage in the United States and parts of Europe, though it remains relatively uncommon, appealing to parents who want a name that stands out while being straightforward to pronounce.

Zian

Kobi is a masculine name with multicultural origins. In Hebrew, it's a diminutive of Jacob (meaning 'supplanter') or a variant of Koby, sometimes used as a nickname for Yaakov. The name gained recognition through basketball legend Kobe Bryant, though his name has different Japanese origins. Kobi also appears in African naming traditions, particularly in Ghana. The name is appreciated for its brevity, modern sound, and cross-cultural appeal. While not among the most common names in Western countries, Kobi has seen increased usage since the 1990s. Its international versatility and contemporary feel make it attractive to parents seeking a name that works well across different cultures while remaining distinctive and memorable.

Kobi

A beautiful Urdu name with a musical sound and a lovely celestial meaning. Sitara got a boost in 2022, potentially from the award-winning 2020 short film "Sitara: Let Girls Dream", bringing awareness to the issue of child marriage.

Sitara

Saad

Referring to the Scottish Isle of Skye, this spelling brings Sky down to earth. Skye is used ten times more often for girls than boys, while the gender split on the Sky spelling is more like three to one in favor of the female side.

Skye

A charming addition to the ever-growing crop of virtue names, Soul feels spiritual, musical, and strong. Similar in sound to Sol, Sully, Solomon, Saul, and Cole, it is a distinctive choice that doesn't feel over the top when said aloud. Given to 61 boys (and 47 girls) in a recent year, it is a rising choice in the US. 

Soul

The heroic movie figure Indiana Jones was often called Indy, as in the equally testosterone-laden Indy 500 car race. It could also be short for Indigo or Indio, or just use it as is.

Indy

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 18)

1900+ Four Letter Boy Names