1900+ Four Letter Boy Names
- Arin
Description:
Arin is a versatile name used for both boys and girls, though more commonly masculine in many traditions. It has multiple origins, including Hebrew roots where it means 'enlightened,' Turkish origins where it signifies 'pure,' and possible Celtic connections where it may relate to 'Ireland.' This multicultural name has grown in usage since the late 20th century but remains relatively uncommon. The name's simplicity and soft sound give it contemporary appeal while its diverse cultural connections provide depth and meaning. Arin works well cross-culturally and offers a more distinctive alternative to popular names like Aaron or Erin. The name's brevity and straightforward pronunciation make it practical while its international character gives it a cosmopolitan quality.
- Ysai
Origin:
Spanish variation of Isaiah, HebrewMeaning:
"salvation of the Lord"Description:
Ysai is a less-known variation of the popular Isaiah.
- Lowe
Origin:
Variation of Loew or LowellDescription:
Surname names that might work as a first, though either of its original forms may be even better.
- Iori
Origin:
Japanese, WelshDescription:
In Welsh, a diminutive of Iorwerth. As a Japanese name, Iori stands alone.
- Caio
Origin:
Variation of Latin CaiusMeaning:
"rejoice"Description:
Joyful-sounding name that makes a really original option.
- Amil
Origin:
Arabic or SanskritMeaning:
"one who hopes or unattainable; hard work"Description:
Hope is one meaning of the name Amil, which sounds similar to the German Emil; it can also mean unattainable in the sense of being so exalted as in royalty as to be out of reach. While Amil may not be familiar in the Western world, it's accessible and appealing.
- Stan
Origin:
Short form of StanleyMeaning:
"near the stony meadow"Description:
One of the old-school nicknames -- think Ray, Vince, Frank -- that's on the brink of coming back into style. Name him Stanislav or Constantine and he'll have a groovier long form to fall back on.
- Emir
Origin:
Turkish, Bosnian, ArabicMeaning:
"prince, ruler"Description:
Emir can be a title of honor in Arabic-speaking nations. In Turkey and the Balkan countries, Emir is one of the fairly popular Arabic names for boys.
- Arya
Origin:
SanskritMeaning:
"noble"Description:
A venerable boys' name in Persian and South Asian cultures that is increasingly used for girls in most parts of the world, thanks largely to the popularity of Game of Thrones character Arya Stark. In the U.S., for instance, there were 1890 newborn girls named Arya in 2016 and just 54 boys in 2016. The related Aryan remains mostly male, however, so it would likely be a better choice for a little boy, if you don't mind the other meaning.
- Jovi
Origin:
Variation of JoveMeaning:
"father of the sky"Description:
Joining Lennon, Bowie, and Hendrix in the realm of classic rock-inspired names that feel fashionable today is Jovi — as in Bon Jovi. Jovi is a variation of the Latin Jove — another name for the Roman god of the sky, Jupiter.
- Jens
Origin:
Scandinavian variation of Johannes or JohnDescription:
Short but substantial Nordic name that travels well -- although it runs the risk of being confused with all the feminine Jen names.
- Nyle
Description:
Nyle is a masculine name with multiple possible origins. It may be a variant spelling of Nile, referring to the famous Egyptian river, which carries connotations of life-giving properties and ancient civilizations. Alternatively, it could be an Anglicized form of the Irish name Niall, meaning 'champion' or 'cloud.' Nyle has maintained consistent but low usage in English-speaking countries throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. The name gained some recognition through personalities like deaf activist and model Nyle DiMarco. With its streamlined, modern feel and rich potential meanings, Nyle appeals to parents seeking a concise, distinctive name that balances uniqueness with accessibility. Its single-syllable structure gives it a strong, straightforward quality.
- Hyde
Origin:
Medieval measure of land, or English surnameMeaning:
"hide"Description:
Hyde, of course, is most familiar as a surname -- as in Mr. Hyde, evil alter ego of Dr. Jeckyll. Unless Hyde is a family name or you have some other excellent reason for using it, we think you could do better.
- Kima
Description:
Kima is a masculine name with diverse cultural origins. In Swahili, it means "that which is on the hill" or can relate to "one who moves mountains." Some sources connect it to Japanese origins meaning "valuable." In Native American traditions, particularly among certain tribes, Kima can refer to "butterfly." The name has remained relatively uncommon in Western countries, maintaining its distinctive appeal. Its short, melodic sound with balanced consonants and vowels makes it easy to pronounce across languages. While not appearing on most popularity charts, Kima has seen occasional usage as both a given name and nickname, appreciated for its simplicity and cross-cultural resonance.
- Tavi
Description:
Tavi is a short masculine name with multiple possible origins. It can be a diminutive form of Octavius or Octavio, Latin names meaning 'eighth,' historically given to the eighth child in a family. In Welsh contexts, Tavi might relate to the name Dafydd (David). It's also found in Romanian culture as a nickname for Octavian. Additionally, in Hebrew, 'tov' (similar to Tavi) means 'good.' The name's brevity gives it a modern, punchy quality while its varied cultural connections provide depth. Tavi has gained some modest usage in recent years as parents increasingly favor short, distinctive names with international appeal. The name's compact structure and soft sound make it both memorable and approachable, combining traditional roots with contemporary styling.
- Obie
Description:
Obie has multiple origins, functioning as both a standalone name and a nickname. It emerged as a traditional diminutive for names like Obadiah, a Hebrew biblical name meaning 'servant of God.' It's also used as a nickname for names beginning with 'O' such as Oscar, Osborne, or Oswald. In some cases, Obie derives from the German surname 'Obie,' which likely originated as an occupational name or location-based surname. The name has maintained consistent but low-level usage in English-speaking countries throughout the 20th century. Obie gained some cultural recognition through figures like American football player Obie Trotter and through the Obie Awards in theater. The name's short, straightforward phonetic structure gives it a friendly, approachable quality. Its versatility as both a formal name and nickname has contributed to its endurance, though it has never been among the most popular masculine names in recorded statistics.
- Dara
Origin:
Irish, Persian, Punjabi, KhmerMeaning:
"oak tree; wealthy; leader; star"Description:
Though Dara in the U.S. would be considered mainly a girls' name – the most recent count is 10 times as many girls given the name last year than boys – it's a boys' name in Ireland, where it's in the Top 100 along with variations Daire and Darragh.
- Arun
Origin:
Masculinization of Aruna, Sanskrit, HindiMeaning:
"reddish brown"Description:
Arun is the common masculinization of the name Aruna, the Hindu god who drives the sun god Surya across the sky in his chariot. Aruna is also used as a female name.
- Even
Origin:
NorwegianMeaning:
"gift or winner"Description:
Even is a popular boys' name in Norway, derived from the Old Norse Eivindr. Another popular variation is Eivind, which is pronounced like Ivan.
- Yair
Origin:
Hebrew variation of Jair: "he shines"Meaning:
"he shines"Description:
Both Jair and Yair have been in and out of the US Top 1000 since the 2000s, and while both are currently taking a break from the charts, Yair in particular is quietly gathering attention. Given to 182 babies in 2023, Yair is simple and distinctive and fits in with the recent interest in off-beat Biblical names.