4 Letter Boy Names

Myrl is an uncommon masculine name that appears to be a variant of Merle or Merrill. The name has Germanic origins, derived from elements meaning 'famous' (meri) and 'sea, lake' (mari). Alternatively, it may relate to the French word 'merle,' meaning blackbird. Myrl enjoyed modest popularity in the United States during the early 20th century but has since become quite rare. The distinctive spelling with 'y' gives it a unique quality while maintaining the familiar sound. Myrl has a concise, strong phonetic quality with its single syllable, appealing to those who prefer brief, straightforward names. It carries a somewhat vintage or rural American character, evoking the early to mid-1900s when it was more commonly used, particularly in midwestern and southern regions.

Myrl

Verl is a masculine name with Germanic origins, likely a shortened form of names containing the element 'ver-' meaning 'true' or 'faithful.' It may also be related to the German word 'Perle' meaning 'pearl.' Verl gained modest popularity in the United States during the early to mid-20th century, particularly in rural communities and Midwestern states. The name has a straightforward, no-nonsense quality that appealed to families seeking traditional masculine names. Today, Verl is considered vintage or rare, having declined in usage since the 1950s. Its short, strong sound and simplicity might appeal to parents looking for uncommon traditional names with historical roots but without elaborate spelling or pronunciation.

Verl

Not a viable option if your baby is going to speak English.

Harm

Hoke is a surname name with a Southern feel, thanks to Morgan Freeman's character in the Oscar-winning movie Driving Miss Daisy. Parents may have passed this name by because of the similarity to hokey and hokum, slang for exaggerated or contrived. But there's at least one distinguished bearer: Chicago journalist Hoke Norris, famous for his coverage of the Civil Rights movement.

Hoke

Arvo is a simple name virtually unknown in the US and UK that might get discovered thanks to the surprise popularity of Arlo.

Arvo

Foch made the Top 1000 in 1918, the year the Allied Powers declare victory in WWI. Ferdinand Foch was the Supreme Allied Commander, whose efforts led to triumph in 1918. That year, 58 sets of parents chose his surname for their sons.

Foch

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Edik is a diminutive form of Russian and Slavic names such as Eduard or Edvard. It carries a friendly, affectionate tone when used among family and close friends. The name has its roots in Germanic languages, where the original Eduard means 'wealthy guardian' or 'prosperity protector.' Edik maintains popularity primarily in Russia, Ukraine, and other Eastern European countries. While not commonly found in Western countries, it represents a cultural connection to Slavic heritage. The name combines strength with an approachable quality, making it both distinctive and warm. Its pronunciation (ED-eek) gives it a memorable sound that distinguishes it from more common Western variants like Eddie or Ed.

Edik

Egen is a masculine name with Norse and Celtic origins. In Norse tradition, it may relate to 'egenn' meaning 'own' or 'belonging to oneself,' suggesting personal strength and independence. In Celtic heritage, it could connect to the Irish name Éogan, meaning 'born of the yew tree' or 'youth.' Egen remains extremely rare as a first name in modern usage, making it an uncommon choice with ancient roots. The name's simplicity gives it a clean, strong quality that travels well across cultures. Its shortness and straightforward pronunciation make it practical while still being distinctive. Parents drawn to Norse or Celtic heritage might find Egen an appealing alternative to more common names from these traditions.

Egen

As a name for boys, Esra is usually considered a spelling variation of the Biblical Ezra. Esra has a separate life as a Turkish girls' name.

Esra

Fabe is an uncommon masculine name with multiple possible origins. It may be a shortened form of Fabian, which derives from the Roman clan name Fabius, meaning 'bean grower' and associated with the respected Roman general Fabius Maximus. Alternatively, it could relate to the German name Fabe, a diminutive of Fabian or possibly connected to medieval occupational surnames. The name's brevity gives it a modern, minimalist appeal despite its potential ancient roots. Fabe remains exceptionally rare in contemporary usage, making it a distinctive choice. The simplicity of this four-letter name makes it easily pronounced across various languages while its uncommonness ensures individuality. For parents seeking a concise yet meaningful name with historical connections, Fabe represents an understated option.

Fabe

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 201)

1900+ Four Letter Boy Names