4 Letter Boy Names

On paper, with its stylish ties to fashion legend Yves Saint-Laurent (born Henri), Yves looks great, but the pronunciation--EVE-- could lead to gender confusion. German variation Ivo might be cooler and clear up the issue.

Yves

A distinctive and sharp sounding name, Ziah has a modern yet well-established sound. It could derive from Zion, Josiah, Azariah, Aziah, Isaiah or similar.

Ziah

Singular, strong, and rare outside East Africa.

Zuri

Amal is the name of a male figure in the Bible, a member of the tribe of Asher. Not, in this case, Mrs. George Clooney.

Amal

Amyr is a concise masculine name with multicultural resonance. It appears to be a variation of Amir, which has Arabic origins meaning 'prince,' 'commander,' or 'leader.' This spelling variant maintains the powerful meaning while creating a slightly distinctive appearance. The name has gained modest usage in recent decades, particularly in the United States, though it remains relatively uncommon compared to the traditional Amir spelling. With just two syllables, Amyr offers a contemporary feel while connecting to the ancient honorific title used throughout Middle Eastern, North African, and South Asian cultures. The name's brevity and strong consonant ending give it a bold presence, while its cross-cultural appeal makes it accessible in diverse communities.

Amyr

Arel

Berl is a masculine name of Yiddish origin, typically serving as a diminutive of Ber or Dov, both meaning 'bear.' The name was relatively common among Eastern European Jewish communities in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Bears symbolize strength and protection in many cultures, giving Berl connotations of power and guardianship. After declining in use as Jewish immigrants assimilated into Western societies, Berl has become increasingly rare, now often encountered primarily as a family surname or as a given name among traditional Jewish families preserving cultural naming patterns. The name carries a distinctive Old World charm and connection to Jewish heritage, offering a link to Eastern European Jewish culture for those who choose it.

Berl

Dace is a masculine name with multiple origins. It primarily derives from the name of a small freshwater fish found in European waters, ultimately from Latin 'densus' meaning 'thick' or 'dense.' In Latvia, Dace is actually more common as a feminine name. As a masculine name in English-speaking countries, Dace is extremely rare, making it a very distinctive choice. The name has a strong, concise sound with its single syllable and crisp consonants. Its uncommonness appeals to parents seeking a unique, short name that still has natural origins. The name's brevity and simplicity make it easy to pronounce and spell, while its rarity ensures individuality. Dace might also be used as a nickname for names like Darius or David.

Dace

Elai is a concise masculine name with multiple potential origins. In Hebrew, it can mean 'my God' or 'ascension,' while in Basque it may refer to a 'cheerful person.' The name also exists in Filipino contexts with various meanings depending on specific dialects. This multicultural background gives Elai versatility across different traditions. The name's brevity makes it appealing in contemporary naming trends that favor short, distinctive names that work internationally. Despite its ancient roots in some cultures, Elai remains relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries. Its simple two-syllable structure and vowel-rich pronunciation give it a gentle, accessible sound while still feeling distinctive and modern.

Elai

Emri

Eryx has a sci-fi sound and deep roots. In Greek mythology, Eryx was the son of Poseidon and Aphrodite and a king in Sicily. He was a great boxer, but was eventually beaten by Heracles. He probably got his name from Mount Eryx in Sicily, now known as Erice.

Never used before 2005, this could be a mythological gem to watch - and an alternative way to honor an Eric.

Eryx

Faiz derives from either the Arabic Fa'iz meaning "triumph, success" or from the Persian Feyz meaning "grace, abundance, overflow". Also transcribed as Fayiz, Fayez, and Faizan this name has a determined and strong feel to it.

Faiz

Kyre

Leam is a succinct masculine name with multiple possible origins. It may be a shortened form of Liam (Irish variant of William meaning 'resolute protection'), a variation of the Hebrew name Liem ('my people'), or derived from the River Leam in England (where Leamington Spa is located). The name has a crisp, modern sound despite potential ancient roots. Leam remains quite rare internationally, appealing to parents seeking short, strong-sounding names that resist overly complicated pronunciations. Its brevity gives it contemporary appeal while its possible connections to nature (the river) add meaningful depth.

Leam

Lean is a masculine name with multiple possible origins. It may be a variation of Leon, derived from the Greek word "león" meaning "lion," symbolizing strength and courage. Alternatively, it could be a shortened form of names like Leland or Leonard. In some cultures, Lean might be associated with the Latin word "leander" meaning "lion-man." The name has a modern, minimalist quality that appeals to parents seeking something distinctive yet straightforward. While not among the most popular names in most countries, Lean has seen occasional use in Scandinavian countries and parts of Europe as a contemporary masculine choice.

Lean

Luxe

A gentle, beachy name of Hawaiian origin, it has been given to a small number of boys in the US in recent years. It may also be a nickname for Analu (the Hawaiian form of Andrew) and Kainalu (meaning "sea wave").

Nalu

Nana, most often used for girls as a a short form of Anna or Nancy, is an African name for boys meaning king or in some translations, "born on Tuesday." Isaac Hayes used the name for his son.
 
It may also be used as an Indonesian diminutive, for the likes of Suryana ("sun") and Sutisna ("good desire; desiring good"), though any name with the na sound may lead parents to this short form. 
 
Nana is currently in the England and Wales Top 1000 for girls and boys, but a recent year saw it lean slightly masculine.

Nana

Owyn is a masculine name with Welsh and Celtic roots, serving as a variant spelling of Owen. The traditional name derives from 'Eugene' or the Welsh 'Owain,' meaning 'well-born,' 'young warrior,' or 'noble.' This alternative spelling gives the classic name a distinctive, modern twist while maintaining its historical significance. Owyn has gained modest popularity in English-speaking countries in recent decades as parents seek traditional names with unique spellings. The name carries associations with strength and nobility from Welsh mythology, where Owain was a legendary hero. While less common than the standard Owen, Owyn offers the same strong consonant sounds with a touch of individuality.

Owyn

Raif (or Raef, Rayif) is a Muslim name usually given in reference to the Qur’anic verse "God is most compassionate and most merciful to mankind." A notable bearer is Saudi writer, dissident and activist Raif Badawi. 
The Raif and Raef spellings of the name may also be variants of the English name Ralph or Rafe, derived from Old English Rædwulf "wolf counsel". The similarity of the names makes Raif one of the most easily assimilated <a href="https://nameberry.com/baby-names/486/arabic-names-for-boys">Arabic names for boys</a>in English-speaking cultures, or a perfect choice for parents looking to bridge English and Arabic family origins.

Raif

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 39)

1900+ Four Letter Boy Names