4 Letter Boy Names

Bunk is an uncommon masculine name that likely originated as a nickname before occasionally being adopted as a given name. It may derive from the German 'bunke' meaning 'bone' or could be a short form of names like Bunker. The name has a distinct, punchy quality with its short, one-syllable structure. Historically, Bunk has appeared as a nickname in American culture, sometimes associated with rural or Southern communities. While not widely used as a formal given name, it has a friendly, unpretentious quality that some parents might find appealing. The name's brevity and hard consonant ending give it a masculine edge, while its informality projects a down-to-earth character.

Bunk

Elzy is a rare masculine name with multiple possible origins. It likely developed as a diminutive of names beginning with "El-" such as Elias, Elijah, or Elwood. In some cases, it may represent an Anglicized form of the Hungarian name Eleazar or even derive from a surname. The name has folk and rural associations in American history, particularly in the southern United States, where it occasionally appeared in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Elzy has a friendly, approachable quality with its soft sound and "z" consonant. The name's brevity gives it a modern feel despite its historical usage. Today, Elzy remains extremely uncommon, making it an option for parents seeking a simple yet distinctive name with a hint of vintage charm.

Elzy

Elby is a charming masculine name with multiple possible origins. It may derive from a surname, possibly an English place name meaning 'old farm' or 'old settlement,' or could be a diminutive form of names beginning with 'El' such as Elbert or Elvin. The name has a warm, friendly quality with its soft sounds and simple structure. While uncommon, Elby has an approachable, unpretentious character that makes it accessible. The name's brevity gives it a modern feel, though it could equally be considered vintage in style. Elby strikes a balance between uniqueness and familiarity, making it appealing to parents seeking an uncommon name that still feels warm and relatable rather than exotic or difficult.

Elby

Acey is a distinctive masculine name with multiple possible origins. It may have evolved as a nickname for names beginning with 'Ac' or as a diminutive of Ace, which refers to excellence or the highest rank. Alternatively, it could derive from the Irish name Asey or from various European surnames. Acey has an informal, friendly quality with a touch of vintage charm, reminiscent of early 20th century Americana. Though relatively rare, it experienced minor usage in the southern United States historically. The name carries connotations of skill and accomplishment through its association with 'ace.' Acey strikes a balance between being recognizably a name while remaining uncommon enough to be distinctive.

Acey

Dorr is an uncommon masculine name with multiple potential origins. It may derive from Old English 'dor' meaning 'door' or 'gate,' possibly indicating someone who lived near a prominent entrance or served as a gatekeeper. Alternatively, it could be a variant of the surname Dore or D'Or, which has French origins meaning 'golden.' As a given name, Dorr remains exceptionally rare, giving it a distinctive quality. Its brevity and strong consonant ending provide a solid, no-nonsense character. The name has historical usage primarily in America, particularly in New England regions during the 18th and 19th centuries. Dorr may appeal to parents seeking a simple, strong name with historical connections yet virtually no risk of being common in modern classrooms.

Dorr

Lott is a masculine name with biblical and Germanic origins. Primarily found as a surname, it derives from the biblical figure Lot, nephew of Abraham in the Book of Genesis. The name comes from Hebrew, possibly meaning 'covering' or 'veil.' As a given name, Lott remained uncommon throughout history, occasionally used by families preserving biblical naming traditions. Its Germanic connections may relate to the Old English 'hlot' meaning 'portion' or 'lot' (as in one's fate or destiny). The name's brevity gives it a strong, compact quality with a distinctive hard ending. While never reaching significant popularity as a first name, Lott offers parents seeking a rare biblical option a name with historical depth and straightforward pronunciation.

Lott

Lish is a rare masculine name with multiple potential origins. It may function as a shortened form of English names like Elisha or Aloysius, or derive from an old English word meaning 'happy' or 'fortunate.' In some cases, it has served as a nickname before evolving into independent usage as a given name. This short, distinctive name carries a crisp, modern sound despite its historical usage dating back centuries. Lish has never been common enough to appear on mainstream popularity charts, remaining a genuinely uncommon choice. The name's brevity gives it contemporary appeal, while its historical roots provide substance. Pronunciation is straightforward (rhymes with 'fish'), making it accessible despite its rarity. Lish might appeal to parents seeking a concise, distinctive name with both traditional roots and a modern sensibility.

Lish

Sing is a concise masculine name with diverse cultural roots. In Chinese tradition, it can be derived from characters meaning 'star' or 'flourish,' representing aspirations for a bright, successful life. In English, the name's direct connection to the verb 'to sing' creates associations with music, joy, and artistic expression. In Sikh tradition, 'Singh' (which 'Sing' may be a variant of) means 'lion' and denotes strength and courage. As a given name, Sing remains quite uncommon in Western countries but may be found more frequently in Asian communities. Its brevity makes it distinctive yet straightforward to pronounce across cultures. The name carries positive connotations of artistic expression, celebration, and cultural heritage that may appeal to parents seeking a name with cross-cultural significance.

Sing

Polk is a masculine name with multiple origins. Most commonly, it's recognized as a surname derived from Scottish and Northern English sources, meaning 'pool' or 'small lake.' It gained some recognition as a first name in America largely due to James K. Polk, the 11th U.S. President. The name has a strong, concise sound with its single syllable and distinctive 'k' ending. Polk carries associations of leadership and determination, thanks to its presidential connection. While never widely used as a first name, it falls into the category of surname-to-first-name conversions that appeal to parents seeking something uncommon yet historically substantial. The name has a certain rugged Americana quality that conveys strength and individuality.

Polk

Murl is an uncommon masculine name with American roots, possibly originating as a variant of Merle or Muriel. Dating back to the early 20th century in the United States, Murl experienced modest popularity during the 1910s-1930s, particularly in rural communities across the Midwest and Southern states. The name has a straightforward, no-nonsense quality typical of early American naming patterns that favored short, strong-sounding names. Murl has steadily declined in usage since the mid-20th century, now considered a vintage rarity. The name's brevity and distinctive sound make it memorable, though its rarity means most people won't have personal associations with it.

Murl

Erby is a rare masculine name with multiple possible origins. It may be a diminutive form of names containing the Germanic element "erb" meaning "heir" or "inheritance," or it could be a variant of Herby (short for Herbert). In some cases, it derives from a surname that originally referred to someone from one of several places named Erby or Irby in England. The name has occasionally appeared as a given name particularly in rural American communities during the early 20th century. Erby has a friendly, approachable quality with its soft ending sound, distinguishing it from more formal traditional names. Though never widely popular, it maintains a certain rustic charm and simplicity that some parents find appealing.

Erby

Floy is a masculine name with multiple possible origins. It may derive from the Welsh name Floyd (meaning 'grey-haired' or 'grey'), function as a shortened form of Florence, or have roots as a variant of the Old French name Eloi. While historically used for both genders, it has been more commonly associated with men in the United States. Floy experienced modest popularity in the early 20th century but has become increasingly rare. The name has a distinctive, compact sound with its single syllable and unusual vowel combination. Its vintage quality might appeal to parents seeking a simple yet uncommon name with historical roots but a somewhat unconventional feel.

Floy

Ovid is the English form of the Roman family name Ovidius, which possibly comes from the word for sheep. It is the usual English name for the first-century poet Publius Ovidius Naso.

Ovid

Audy is a distinctive masculine name with multiple potential origins. It may function as a variant of Audi, possibly derived from the Germanic element 'ald' meaning 'old' or 'experienced.' Alternatively, it could be a diminutive of names like Audwin or Audrey, or a modern variation of Auden. The name has a contemporary feel with its trendy 'y' ending while maintaining a classic short structure. Audy remains relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries, giving it a distinctive quality for parents seeking something unique. Its brevity and melodic sound make it accessible while still standing out. The name's multifaceted potential origins add to its appeal, offering parents a name with subtle depth beneath its modern, streamlined appearance.

Audy

Oris is a masculine name with several possible origins. It may derive from Latin, potentially related to 'os' meaning 'mouth' or 'speech,' or could be a variation of Orestes from Greek mythology. Another possibility is that it represents a shortened form of Maurice or Boris. The name has appeared occasionally throughout history but has never been common in English-speaking countries. Oris has a crisp, distinctive sound that feels both modern and timeless. The brevity and strong ending consonant give it a masculine edge. While rare in contemporary usage, its simplicity and cross-cultural adaptability make it an intriguing choice for parents seeking a short, distinctive name with classical undertones.

Oris

Arba is a rare masculine name with ancient origins, appearing in biblical contexts as the name of a figure described as 'the greatest man among the Anakim' in the Book of Joshua. The Hebrew meaning relates to 'four' or possibly references Kiriath-arba, an ancient city. Throughout history, Arba has remained extremely uncommon across most cultures and regions. Its rarity gives it a distinctive quality that might appeal to parents seeking a name with biblical connections yet virtually no mainstream usage. The brevity and balanced sound of Arba, with its two syllables and open ending, gives it a gentle yet strong phonetic quality.

Arba

Odus is an uncommon masculine name with possible Greek origins, potentially derived from 'hodos' meaning 'path' or 'way.' It may also have roots as a surname or family name before transitioning to first-name usage. In American Southern culture, Odus appeared occasionally in the early to mid-20th century but has remained quite rare. The name has a distinctive, strong sound that conveys a sense of individuality and character. While never reaching widespread popularity, Odus continues to be chosen by parents seeking a traditional yet uncommon name with a solid, masculine feel. Its rarity gives it a certain distinction for those who bear it.

Odus

Ozie is a unisex name with historical usage in the United States dating back to the late 19th century. The name may have multiple origins: it could be a diminutive of names like Oswald or Osborne (from Germanic elements meaning 'god' and 'power' or 'bear'); alternatively, it might derive from the Greek name Ozias, a variant of Uzziah, meaning 'Jehovah's strength.' Another possibility is that it developed as a nickname for names beginning with 'Os-' or 'Oz-'. Historical records show Ozie used across various American communities throughout the 20th century, with peak popularity in the early to mid-1900s. The name has become less common in recent decades. Its short, distinctive sound and vintage quality give it a unique character that connects to earlier American naming traditions while remaining uncommon in contemporary usage.

Ozie

Succinct and stylish, Eino is a popular Finnish (and Estonian) name, possibly from the Norse einn and the Germanic ain meaning "one". It ranked at #1 in Finland in 2025.

Eino

Briefly used as a male name in the early 20th century. Doll is a surname with a variety of origins and meanings, some more desirable than others.

Doll

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 200)

1900+ Four Letter Boy Names