4 Letter Boy Names

A rarely-used name even in its native Cornwall, Jory nevertheless feels very wearable, thanks to its similarity to familiar picks like Rory, Corey and Joey. Jory Cassel is a minor character in the first season of Game of Thrones.

Jory

Kaio is a masculine name with multiple cultural origins. In Japanese, it can be written with various kanji combinations, potentially meaning 'ocean man' or 'forgiveness man' depending on the characters used. In Hawaiian, Kaio relates to 'the io bird' or can mean 'full tide.' The name also appears in Portuguese-speaking communities, particularly Brazil. In recent years, Kaio has gained some international recognition through Brazilian athletes and pop culture figures. The name's brevity and strong vowel sounds make it phonetically appealing across different languages. Kaio offers a multicultural option with a contemporary feel while maintaining cultural significance in several traditions. Its simplicity and distinctive sound contribute to its growing, though still modest, global presence.

Kaio

Kroi is an uncommon masculine name with Albanian origins. In Albanian tradition, it means 'spring' or 'source of water,' symbolizing life, renewal, and vitality. This short, powerful name has deep cultural significance in Albanian communities but remains rare elsewhere, making it distinctive and unique. The single-syllable structure gives Kroi a strong, memorable quality that's easy to pronounce across many languages. While not widely used internationally, the name's connection to natural elements and its distinctive sound may appeal to parents seeking an uncommon name with meaningful roots and symbolic depth.

Kroi

Kyon is a contemporary masculine name with multiple possible origins. It may be derived from Greek 'kyon' meaning 'dog,' which formed the root of names like Cynic. In Japanese contexts, it could be a romanization of several different kanji combinations, potentially meaning 'sound,' 'respect,' or other concepts depending on the characters used. The name gained some recognition as a character nickname in the Japanese anime series 'The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya.' Kyon has a modern, distinctive sound that works well internationally, with its crisp consonants and straightforward pronunciation. Though uncommon in Western countries, its brevity and contemporary feel make it appealing to parents seeking a unique, globally accessible name with a cool, compact quality.

Kyon

Liem is a compact masculine name with Vietnamese origins, where it carries meanings of modesty, humility, and diligence. In Vietnamese culture, it's traditionally spelled Liêm and represents moral integrity and honesty. The name has gained modest international recognition in recent decades as Vietnamese diaspora communities have grown in Western countries. Liem offers the appealing combination of being straightforward to pronounce in multiple languages while maintaining its distinctive cultural heritage. In the United States, Liem began appearing on naming charts in the early 2000s and has seen a gradual increase in popularity, particularly in diverse urban areas. The name's simplicity, meaningful origin, and cross-cultural accessibility contribute to its growing appeal.

Liem

Most often associated with Rolling Stone Jagger, Mick is also used as a generic, and derogatory, term for an Irishman. 

Mick

Naod is a masculine name with Ethiopian origins, particularly associated with Amharic-speaking communities. In Ethiopian tradition, the name carries spiritual significance and may be connected to concepts of grace or divine favor. This concise, powerful name features prominently in Ethiopian Orthodox Christian communities, where biblical and religious names are highly valued. While uncommon outside Ethiopia and Ethiopian diaspora communities, Naod represents the rich naming traditions of East Africa. The name's brevity gives it strength and memorability, while its distinctive character makes it stand out in Western contexts. Naod might appeal to parents seeking a name with authentic African roots, religious significance, or simply a distinctive yet accessible international name.

Naod

One of those simple Norse names, like Lars, that is definitely worth thinking about. 

Nels

Noha is a multicultural, gender-neutral choice, with a bright but gentle feel. As a Hebrew and Assyrian name, it is associated with light and illumination, whereas as an Arabic name, it is used as a predominantly feminine choice, denoting wisdom. There is the possibility that in the States, some parents might be using it as an alternative to the hugely popular Noah too.

Noha

Onix is a modern masculine name inspired by the stone onyx, a type of banded chalcedony known for its black color and use in jewelry since ancient times. The name's spelling variation with an 'i' instead of 'y' gives it a contemporary edge while maintaining its connection to the precious stone. In recent years, Onix has gained modest popularity, particularly in Spanish-speaking communities and among parents influenced by unique nature-inspired names. The name received additional recognition through the Pokémon character Onix, a rock-snake creature introduced in the 1990s. With its strong sound, compact structure, and associations with a valuable natural element, Onix appeals to parents seeking a distinctive yet accessible name with subtle strength connotations.

Onix

Ryze

Taym is a masculine name with Arabic origins, meaning 'servant of the exalted' or 'unique.' It can also be seen as a modern, streamlined spelling of the English word 'time,' giving it a contemporary, minimalist appeal. The name has grown in popularity in the Middle East and among Arabic-speaking communities worldwide. With its short, strong sound and easy pronunciation across multiple languages, Taym works well in multicultural contexts. The name's brevity gives it a modern feel while its meaning provides depth and significance. Taym appeals to parents seeking a name that is both meaningful in Arabic traditions and accessible in international settings.

Taym

The invented name Xael debuted on the charts for boys in 2010. It is primarily used among Spanish-speaking families.

Xael

Yida is a concise masculine name found across multiple cultures with varying origins and meanings. In Chinese, it can be formed from different character combinations, potentially meaning 'appropriate' and 'to reach' or other virtuous qualities depending on the specific characters used. The name also appears in African traditions, particularly in Ghana and Nigeria, where names often carry significant meaning related to birth circumstances or aspirations. Yida is relatively uncommon in Western countries, giving it a distinctive quality for parents seeking something unique yet pronounceable. The name's multicultural presence makes it versatile across different backgrounds, while its brevity and clear pronunciation (typically EE-dah) give it a modern, international appeal. Its rarity means a child named Yida is unlikely to share his name with classmates.

Yida

As a Persian and Arabic name, Adel derives from adala meaning "to act justly", linking it to honesty and fairness — aspirational qualities for anyone to possess. From its Germanic origins, Adel comes from the element adal, meaning noble, making it a variation of Adele, Adelaide, Adelbert, and similar.

Adel

This strong and commanding Russian name is pronounced ah-KEEM. 

Akim

This biblical name, pronounced ahr yeh, is a not <a href="https://nameberry.com/list/418/best-cool-unusual-boys-names"</a>uncommon boys' name</a> in Israel. It can also be spelled Aryeh , the most popular form by far, or Arieh. The feminine equivalent is Levi'a. Possible down side: Its similarity to the hot girl name Arya or Aria.

Arye

Asir is a masculine name with multiple cultural origins and meanings. In Arabic, it can mean "captive" or "prisoner," while it also refers to a region in southwestern Saudi Arabia known for its beautiful mountains and valleys. In Hindi and Sanskrit traditions, Asir relates to "blessing" or "benediction." The name has remained relatively uncommon in Western countries but has seen some usage in Middle Eastern, North African, and South Asian communities. Asir's brevity and strong sound make it distinctive while still being easy to pronounce across different languages. The name carries a powerful presence despite its short length, with rich cultural connections that might appeal to parents seeking a name with international roots and meaningful associations.

Asir

If you can name a boy Max instead of Maxwell, or Jax instead of Jackson, then why not Brax instead of Braxton?  Over 3300 boys were named the trendy Braxton in the US in one recent year, but snappy short form Brax is a newcomer used for only a handful of babies.  Brax may feel more popular than that, though, as many Braxtons are called Brax.

Brax

Cobe is a masculine name with multiple potential origins. It may be a variant spelling of Kobe, which gained popularity after basketball legend Kobe Bryant, or could be connected to the Japanese city of Kobe. Alternatively, it might be a variation of Jacob or a short form of Jacoby. With its strong, concise sound, Cobe embodies modern naming preferences for brief, impactful boys' names. The name projects an athletic, contemporary image while remaining sufficiently uncommon to be distinctive. Despite its simplicity, Cobe has not broken into mainstream popularity charts, making it appealing to parents seeking something recognizable yet not overused. The name's short, punchy nature gives it versatility across cultures and languages.

Cobe

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 33)

1900+ Four Letter Boy Names