4 Letter Boy Names

Port is an uncommon masculine name with English origins, derived from the Latin 'portus' meaning 'harbor' or 'haven.' As a word name, it carries associations with maritime settings, suggesting qualities of shelter, arrival, and connection. Port has historically been more common as a surname or place name than as a first name. Its brevity gives it a strong, direct quality—concise and distinctive with just one syllable. The name might appeal to parents with connections to sailing, coastal living, or those seeking a rare, simple name with subtle depth. Port's uniqueness ensures it stands out while its familiar word status keeps it accessible.

Port

Gair is a concise masculine name with multiple possible origins. In Scottish Gaelic, it means 'short' or can refer to a short piece of land. It also appears as a Welsh name meaning 'word' or 'utterance.' Additionally, Gair exists as an English surname and may derive from Old Norse 'geirr' meaning 'spear.' This multifaceted etymology gives the name rich cultural connections across Celtic and Norse traditions. Gair remains uncommon as a first name, making it distinctive while still being straightforward to pronounce and spell. Its brevity and strong sound appeal to parents seeking a masculine name that is both traditional and uncommon, with a rugged, nature-connected quality.

Gair

Poll is a masculine name with multiple potential origins. It could be a variant of Paul, derived from the Latin name Paulus meaning 'small' or 'humble.' In some regions, it may function as a shortened form of Apollonius, which refers to the Greek god Apollo. Additionally, Poll might serve as a nickname for names beginning with 'Pol' such as Polydore or Polycarp. The name is relatively uncommon in modern usage, particularly as a formal given name rather than a nickname. While Poll has historical precedence, it remains rare in contemporary naming trends, giving it a distinctive quality for parents seeking an uncommon name with classical connections.

Poll

Flat is an extremely unusual masculine name of English origin derived from the word meaning 'level' or 'smooth.' As a given name, it falls into the category of literal word names, similar to descriptive surnames that originally referred to people living on flat land. Historically, Flat has been exceedingly rare as a first name, functioning more commonly as a surname or nickname. Unlike many word names that have gained popularity (like River or Sage), Flat has not experienced widespread adoption, likely due to its potential for negative interpretations beyond its geographical meaning. For contemporary parents, this would represent an extremely unconventional choice that might present practical challenges for a child, despite its simplicity and unique quality.

Flat

Despite two distinguished surname-bearers -- the great British statesman William Pitt and actor Brad -- this would be a tough name to pull off in first place. William Thackeray used it for two generations of baronets in his novel Vanity Fair, the Sir Pitt Crawleys.

Pitt

Gare is an uncommon masculine name with multiple potential origins. It may be a shortened form of Gareth (Welsh, meaning 'gentle'), a variant of Gary (Germanic, meaning 'spear'), or derived from the French word 'gare' meaning 'station' or 'shelter.' This concise, one-syllable name carries a distinct, strong quality while remaining approachable. Gare has never achieved widespread popularity, making it an individualistic choice that stands out in most communities. Its rarity gives bearers a sense of uniqueness, while its brevity makes it practical and memorable. In English-speaking countries, Gare remains an uncommon choice that occasionally appears as a surname or nickname rather than a given name.

Gare

Gari is a versatile masculine name with origins spanning multiple cultures. In Japanese, it can mean 'harvesting village' or relate to concepts of cutting and sharpness. In Georgian culture, it's a diminutive of names containing the element 'gar,' meaning 'brave' or 'bold.' Some consider it a variation of Gary, which derives from Germanic names meaning 'spear' or from Germanic element 'gar.' In Basque, Gari means 'wheat,' connecting it to agricultural traditions. This multicultural name has different pronunciation patterns depending on its origin—from a hard 'g' sound to softer variations. Though not widely common in Western countries, Gari offers a short, strong-sounding alternative to Gary with international appeal and various meaningful interpretations across cultures.

Gari

Berk is a masculine name with multiple cultural origins. In Turkish, it means 'solid' or 'firm,' suggesting strength and reliability. In Old English contexts, it can relate to 'birch tree' or 'birch woodland.' The name is also found as a surname in various European traditions. Short and punchy with its four-letter structure, Berk has a straightforward, no-nonsense quality that appeals to parents seeking brief, strong names for boys. Despite its simplicity, the name remains relatively uncommon in the United States, though it enjoys more recognition in Turkey and some European countries. Its cross-cultural presence gives it versatility while maintaining distinctiveness in most Western contexts.

Berk

Dolf is a masculine name of Germanic origin, commonly serving as a diminutive form of Adolf, Rudolph, or Randolph. The name Adolf comes from the Old High German elements "adal" (noble) and "wolf" (wolf), while Rudolph combines "hrod" (fame) with "wolf." Despite its connection to Adolf, the name Dolf has largely maintained its own identity, particularly in Dutch-speaking regions where it enjoys moderate usage. It has a strong, concise sound with its four letters creating a distinct, memorable impression. Dolf projects qualities of straightforwardness and rugged simplicity. Though not widely used in English-speaking countries, it appeals to parents looking for a short, no-nonsense name with European heritage.

Dolf

The vowel ending energizes this relative of Abdul. 

Abdu

There are many more substantial Italian choices. 

Pino

Worthy sibling for Oak, Elm, Juniper, and Spruce.

Pine

Will be frequently misunderstood as Pele or, worse, "pilly". 

Pili

Wonderful nickname name most often associated in this country with Dutch modernist painter Mondrian. Pronounced PEET.

Piet

A literary surname that's short, to the point, and very rare. It combines several origins: Scandinavian meaning "high ground", Scottish meaning "stranger", and English meaning "wild boar" (hello, secret animal name!).

Galt

Krys is a masculine name functioning as a shortened form of names like Krystian, Krzysztof (Polish variations of Christian and Christopher), or Kristopher. With its crisp, modern sound, Krys offers a streamlined alternative to longer traditional names while maintaining their historic roots. The distinctive 'K' spelling gives it a contemporary edge compared to the variant 'Chris.' Popular in Eastern European countries, particularly Poland, the name has spread globally through diaspora communities. As a standalone name, Krys remains uncommon in English-speaking countries, making it distinctive without being difficult to pronounce. The simplicity and strength of this short name appeals to parents seeking a masculine name that's both modern and connected to traditional naming patterns.

Krys

Peyt is a modern masculine name that likely developed as a shortened form of Peyton. With its crisp, single-syllable structure, it embodies the contemporary preference for brief, punchy names. The name Peyton, from which it derives, has English origins meaning 'settlement of Pæga' (referring to a place name). Peyt carries an air of distinctiveness while maintaining familiarity through its connection to the more established Peyton. Though relatively uncommon as a standalone name, Peyt has gained some limited usage in recent years, particularly in North America. Its appeal lies in its simplicity, contemporary feel, and gender-neutral potential, though it's more commonly assigned to boys. The name has a sporty, energetic quality that many parents find appealing.

Peyt

Peto is a masculine name with diverse origins. It can be derived from the Latin name 'Petrus' meaning 'rock' or 'stone,' similar to Peter. In Hungarian contexts, it may function as a diminutive form of Peter. The name also appears in Italian and Spanish heritage as a surname before evolving into a given name. Peto has remained relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries, giving it a distinctive quality for parents seeking a rare yet accessible name. The short, two-syllable structure makes it easy to pronounce across different languages while maintaining its unique character. Its rarity offers the appeal of individuality without being difficult to spell or pronounce.

Peto

Bank is a masculine name with diverse cultural origins and meanings. In Thai culture, it's a relatively common male name that can signify 'protected' or 'saved,' reflecting parents' hopes for their child's security. In Western contexts, Bank might function as a surname-turned-first-name or a modern word name suggesting stability and strength. The name's brevity and strong consonant ending give it a bold, distinctive quality across languages. While uncommon in most English-speaking countries, it has gained some recognition through notable individuals in sports and entertainment. Bank offers the advantages of being short, easy to spell, and memorable, though its association with financial institutions might be either appealing or limiting depending on cultural context.

Bank

Pero is a masculine name with roots in several European cultures, particularly common in Mediterranean regions. In Spanish and Italian contexts, it often serves as a variant of Pedro or Pietro, both ultimately deriving from the name Peter, meaning 'rock' or 'stone.' In Slavic countries, particularly Croatia and Montenegro, Pero can function as a diminutive of Petar. The name has a friendly, approachable quality with its short, two-syllable structure. While not especially common in English-speaking countries, Pero maintains steady popularity in its regions of origin. Its simplicity makes it easy to pronounce across language barriers, contributing to its enduring appeal across different cultural contexts.

Pero

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 84)

1900+ Four Letter Boy Names