4 Letter Boy Names

Most Bills today are dads...or grandpas. The younger Williams are usually nicknamed Will, or called by their full names. 

Bill

As a male name, Cleo was well used during the 19th and the first half of the 20th centuries, deriving from the Greek name Cleon or the Biblical Cleopas.

Cleo

An unusual Arabic name, given to a handful of boys in the US each year, also spelled Ehaan or Ihan.

Ehan

Roar! This popular name in the Arab world was once almost unused by English speakers, but is now given to a few boys in the States each year. It can also be spelled Fahad and Fahed.

Fahd

Short but substantial Nordic name that travels well -- although it runs the risk of being confused with all the feminine Jen names. 

Jens

This short form of Jesse has an androgynous, cowperson feel. It's Jess rather than Jesse or Jessie that can be considered among the truly <a href="https://nameberry.com/unisex-names"> androgynous baby names</a>

Jess

Jkai

Though mountain climbers may want to honor the famed Central Asian mountain range known as the Hindu Kush, associations with marijuana and Jared Kushner make this a hard sell.

Kush

The name of the second-biggest (and third-most populous) island in Hawaii was one of the fastest-rising <a href="https://nameberry.com/boys-names">boys' names</a> of 2017. A major factor was surely Dwayne Johnson's character in Moana, the Polynesian demigod named Maui, a mythological trickster who slowed the sun to create the days. (It fell back to normal levels in the following years.)

Maui

This evocative green nature name, heard much more frequently as a surname, is associated with playwright Moss Hart (born Robert), who co-wrote (with George S. Kaufman) such enduring Broadway comedies as The Man Who Came to Dinner and You Can't Take it With You.
 Never having made it onto the popularity list, Moss would make a distinctively fresh and attractive alternative to Ross.
 Prominent bearers of Moss as a surname include British auto racer Stirling, supermodel Kate, and Elisabeth Moss, star of The Handmaid's Tale and Mad Men.

Moss

Nalo

Model Trish Goff's Nima is a boy, but the a ending gives this name a feminine feel.

Nima

Quin is a concise, gender-neutral name with multiple origins. Most commonly, it's considered a shortened form of Quincy, Quinton, or Quintus, all deriving from the Latin 'quintus' meaning 'fifth.' It can also be an anglicized version of the Irish name Conn or Cuinn, meaning 'wisdom' or 'intelligence.' For boys, Quin presents a strong, straightforward option with a modern feel despite its ancient roots. The name has gained modest popularity in recent decades as parents gravitate toward brief, gender-flexible names. Quin's simplicity gives it cross-cultural appeal and easy pronunciation. The distinctive initial 'Q' adds character while the overall name remains unfussy and clean. It works well independently or as a nickname for longer Q-names, offering versatility that appeals to contemporary naming preferences.

Quin

Rhen

Baseball player Ryne Sandberg's nickname is RYNO.  Need we say more?  

Ryne

Vash is a concise, powerful masculine name with diverse cultural connections. It may derive from Persian origins where it appears as an element in names meaning "good" or "pleasant," such as in Siavash. In Armenian, it can be found in compound names meaning "beloved." The name gained recognition among anime fans through the character Vash the Stampede from "Trigun." Its single-syllable structure gives it a strong, distinctive quality similar to names like Nash or Cash. Vash remains quite rare in Western naming practices, making it an unusual choice that stands out. Its brevity and strong consonant ending create a name with impact and memorability, appealing to parents seeking something unconventional yet accessible.

Vash

Zeek is a short, punchy masculine name that typically serves as a diminutive form of Ezekiel, a biblical name meaning 'God strengthens.' With its strong 'z' sound and concise single syllable, Zeek carries a contemporary, energetic quality that appeals to parents seeking modern-sounding names. While less common than the full Ezekiel or the variant Zeke, this spelling offers a slightly edgier alternative. The name has gained modest popularity in recent decades as part of the trend toward shorter, more informal given names. Zeek projects strength and individuality, with biblical roots providing traditional grounding despite its modern feel. It works well in diverse cultural contexts and maintains good recognition without being overly common.

Zeek

Zevi is an alternative transcription of the Hebrew name Zvi or Tzvi, the latter of which is a Top 100 pick in Israel. It's a cool, sharp-sounding name which would make for a great distinctive alternative to Levi. 

 A famous historical bearer is Shabbetai Zevi, an Ottoman rabbi who gained a following in the 17th century.

Zevi

Zias

Akil is a masculine name with roots in several cultures, primarily Arabic and Sanskrit. In Arabic, Akil (عاقل) means 'intelligent,' 'wise,' or 'one who uses reason,' deriving from the root word for intellect or mind. In Sanskrit traditions, it can mean 'complete' or 'whole.' The name also appears in various forms throughout African cultures, sometimes spelled Akeel or Aqil. Akil has gained modest popularity in the United States since the 1990s, appreciated for its distinctive sound and positive meanings. The name's cross-cultural presence, meaningful associations with wisdom and intelligence, and its brief, strong phonetic quality make it an appealing choice for parents seeking a name with multicultural resonance and depth.

Akil

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 37)

1900+ Four Letter Boy Names