4 Letter Boy Names

Robi is a masculine name that functions as a diminutive form in multiple cultures. It serves as a familiar version of Robert in many European traditions, including Hungarian, Croatian, and other Eastern European languages. The root name Robert comes from Germanic origins meaning "bright fame" or "shining with glory." In some South Asian contexts, particularly Bengali, Robi can also mean "sun" or "Sunday." This cross-cultural presence gives the name versatility while maintaining its friendly, approachable quality. The diminutive form conveys warmth and informality compared to more formal versions of the name. Though less commonly used as an official given name in Western countries, Robi's straightforward pronunciation and spelling make it accessible while still feeling distinctive. Its short, bright sound gives it a contemporary feel despite its traditional roots.

Robi

Raby is an uncommon masculine name with multiple possible origins. It may derive from an Old Norse place name meaning 'boundary farm' or from the Arabic 'rabi,' meaning 'spring' or 'fourth born.' As a surname, Raby has English and Scottish roots, and its transition to a given name reflects the modern trend of using family names for first names. The name's brevity gives it a contemporary feel despite its ancient origins. Raby remains exceptionally rare as a first name in most Western countries, making it a distinctive choice. Its short, accessible pronunciation combines with its uncommon status to create a name that stands out without being difficult to say or spell. The name has a friendly, approachable quality while maintaining a certain uniqueness and strength.

Raby

One of the coolest undiscovered international names, we love Roko for its simplicity, modern style, and freshness. It ranks among the top boy names in its native Croatia.

Roko

Saint Roch -- pronounced like rock -- is the patron saint of dogs. Roch is definitely one of the coolest saints' names, but many Americans will say it like roach and not rock. You will have to educate them.

Roch

Rodd is a masculine name representing either a variant spelling of Rod (itself often a shortened form of Roderick, Rodney, or similar names) or a surname adopted as a given name. Derived from Germanic roots, the related name Roderick means 'famous power' or 'renowned ruler.' The distinctive double 'd' spelling gives this brief name additional visual weight. Rodd has a strong, sturdy quality that conveys masculinity and directness. While never achieving widespread popularity, it saw modest usage in English-speaking countries during the mid-20th century. The name projects a no-nonsense, straightforward character with its brief, punchy sound and simple construction.

Rodd

Gigo is a masculine name with varied origins and interpretations. In some contexts, it appears as a nickname for names like Luigi or Gianluigi in Italian usage. It may also relate to Georgian naming traditions or represent a short form of other longer names across different cultures. The name is quite uncommon as a formal given name in most Western countries, often functioning more as a familiar nickname. Gigo has a playful, energetic quality with its repeating 'g' sound and simple structure. The brevity and rhythmic nature of this name give it a contemporary feel, despite some traditional connections. While not frequently found in popularity rankings, its approachable sound and international versatility might appeal to parents seeking something distinctive yet uncomplicated.

Gigo

While this may look like an animal related word name to those unfamiliar with it, Roar is a Norwegian name derived from the Old Norse element hróðr meaning "fame". combined with either herr meaning "warrior" or "geirr meaning "spear". It can also be spelled as Hroar.

Roar

Rojo

Rolo is a playful masculine name with multiple possible origins. It may be a diminutive of names like Roland or Ronald, or derive from the Old Norse name Hrólfr (which evolved into Rollo), meaning 'famous wolf.' Historically, Rollo was the Viking leader who founded Normandy in France. The name has a cheerful, approachable quality with its rhythmic sound and 'o' ending. Some may associate it with the caramel candy of the same name, giving it a sweet, nostalgic quality. Though uncommon as a formal name, Rolo works well as a nickname and has seen occasional use in Spanish-speaking countries. Its brevity and friendly sound make it distinctive yet accessible.

Rolo

Ronn is a masculine name that serves as a shorter variant of Ronald, which comes from the Old Norse name Rögnvaldr, meaning 'ruler's advisor' or 'ruler with power.' The distinctive double 'n' spelling gives this traditional name a more modern, streamlined appearance compared to the more common 'Ron.' While never reaching widespread popularity, Ronn gained some recognition in the mid-20th century. The name carries associations of strength and decisiveness while maintaining a certain simplicity. Notable bearers include American actor Ronn Moss, which may have contributed to the name's recognition. Ronn offers parents a brief yet substantial name with historical roots.

Ronn

Rori is a gender-flexible name that appears here as masculine, though it's also used for girls. With Gaelic origins, it's often considered a variation of Rory, derived from the Irish "Ruairí" or Scottish "Ruairidh" meaning "red king" or "famous ruler." The spelling with an 'i' ending gives it a softer quality than the traditional Rory. While historically more common for boys in Celtic traditions, contemporary usage has seen it grow as a feminine option as well. The name carries a playful, youthful energy while maintaining its connection to ancient Celtic heritage. Though not among the most popular names, its brevity, friendly sound, and cross-gender adaptability have attracted parents seeking something distinctive yet accessible with historical roots.

Rori

This surname-name originated as a nickname for redheads. 

Roth

Roye is a masculine name with multiple potential origins. It may function as a variant spelling of Roy, which derives from the Old French 'roi' meaning 'king,' ultimately from Latin 'rex.' Alternatively, it could be related to the Irish Gaelic name Rory (meaning 'red king') or exist as a surname-turned-first-name from various European backgrounds. The distinctive spelling with the final 'e' gives the name a slightly softer, more elaborate feel than the more common Roy. While relatively uncommon as a given name in modern usage, Roye offers a simple yet distinctive option with regal undertones and cross-cultural versatility.

Roye

Royz is a masculine name that appears to be a modern variant spelling of the name Roy or possibly Royce. Roy has multiple origins, including from the Old French 'roi' meaning 'king,' from the Irish 'ruadh' meaning 'red-haired,' or as a shortened form of names like Leroy. The addition of the 'z' gives this traditional name a contemporary, distinctive edge. Royz is extremely uncommon, appealing to parents seeking a name with familiar sounds but unique presentation. The name maintains the short, strong qualities of Roy while the unexpected 'z' ending adds visual interest and modernity. Despite its unusual spelling, the pronunciation remains intuitive. This rare variation offers parents a way to honor traditional naming patterns while still providing their son with a distinctive, modern identity.

Royz

Royd is an uncommon masculine name with English origins, primarily derived from a surname and place name meaning 'clearing in the forest' from Old English 'rod' or 'royd.' Historically, it appeared in northern English regions, particularly Yorkshire, to describe landscapes where trees had been cleared. As a given name, Royd emerged in the 20th century but has remained rare, giving it a distinctive quality. Its short, strong sound with a single syllable conveys a sense of solidity and straightforwardness. The name has occasional usage in English-speaking countries but maintains its uniqueness, making it appealing for parents seeking an uncommon name with historical roots.

Royd

Ruud is a Dutch masculine name, primarily used in the Netherlands and other Dutch-speaking regions. It originated as a short form of the Germanic name Rudolf, which combines the elements 'hrod' (fame) and 'wolf' (wolf), meaning 'famous wolf.' Ruud gained particular prominence in the Netherlands during the 20th century and remains a popular traditional Dutch name. Many Dutch soccer players have carried this name, with Ruud Gullit and Ruud van Nistelrooy being famous examples who helped spread awareness of the name internationally. The name is valued for its brevity, strong sound, and cultural significance in Dutch heritage.

Ruud

Ruda is a masculine name with multiple cultural origins. In Slavic contexts, it derives from words meaning "ore" or "mineral," suggesting strength and value. In Hindi, it connects to Rudra, an aspect of the god Shiva, representing power and storm energy. The name also appears in Polish and Czech languages, where it can relate to the color red or reddish-brown. Ruda is concise and strong, with a distinctive but accessible pronunciation across many languages. Though uncommon in English-speaking countries, it enjoys more usage in Eastern European and Indian communities, where its cultural resonances are better recognized.

Ruda

Rude is an uncommon masculine name with Germanic origins, found primarily in Scandinavian countries and parts of Central Europe. Despite its potentially problematic connotations in English, the name has entirely different associations in its native context. In Germanic languages, it often derives from elements meaning 'fame' and 'wolf' or serves as a short form of names like Rudolf (famous wolf) or Rudolph (famous wolf). Pronounced roughly as ROO-deh in its original form, the name has declined in international usage due to its negative English meaning. Historically, it was more common in the medieval and early modern periods before English became a global language. Though rare today, Rude represents an example of how names can carry vastly different cultural associations across language boundaries.

Rude

The surname Rudd, made most famous by Antman actor Paul, derives from the words ruddy or red and may have originally been given to someone with a reddish complexion.

While this name can theoretically be a short form of Rudyard, we like it just as it is. You might see it as an honor name for Daniel Rudd, who started the first newspaper for Black Americans and was an early Civil Rights aactivist.

Rudd

Rule

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 187)

1900+ Four Letter Boy Names