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Fresh Spunky Short Names

Arcane
By Arcane
Updated Thu May 25 2023
Spunky and Cute baby names from 2 to 4 letters long (Origin varies and depends on nothing). A lot of these can be used for either gender, but I tagged them to my preference (soft names for boys, tough names for girls). Tried to get at least two for each letter.
  1. Aaru

    • Origin:

      Egyptian

    • Meaning:

      "peaceful"

    • Description:

      Egyptian mythology place-name with an intriguing sound and appealingly peaceful meaning. Update for Aaron?
  2. Ajax

    • Origin:

      Greek mythology name

    • Description:

      Ajax was the strong and courageous Greek hero featured in Homer's "Iliad," known as Ajax the Great. But it's also the name of a foaming cleanser, and if you find that reference too strong, you might try the shortened Jax instead.
  3. Aken

    • Description:

      Aken is a masculine name with multiple cultural origins. In Egyptian tradition, Aken was a ferryman deity who transported souls across the river in the underworld. The name also has Dutch and German connections, possibly derived from place names or representing a variant of Akin. In some African cultures, particularly Ghanaian, Aken may be used as a name for a boy born on Wednesday. This succinct, two-syllable name offers simplicity with depth of meaning. While not common in Western countries, Aken appeals to parents seeking a short, distinctive name with cross-cultural significance and an ancient pedigree. Its rarity makes it an individualistic choice.
  4. Aloe

    • Origin:

      Plant name from Greek

    • Meaning:

      "resin"
  5. Arc

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Description:

      Refers, in literal terms, to a curved line -- as in Martin Luther King, Jr.'s famed "arc of justice." Could also be used as a reference to Joan of Arc -- Arc being, there, derived from her father's name, rather than a place -- or, conceivably, to Noah's Ark.
  6. Aria

    • Origin:

      Italian and Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "air; song or melody; lion"

    • Description:

      Aria is a multi-cultural name with two extremely popular versions: this more word-like one along with Arya, the spelling used for the feisty young heroine of Game of Thrones. There were about 6400 baby girls named Aria in the US last year alog with 2400 named Arya, which counted together places the name in the Top 10.
  7. Asa

    • Origin:

      Hebrew; Japanese

    • Meaning:

      "healer; born in the morning"

    • Description:

      A short but strong biblical name with multicultural appeal, Asa is enjoying new visibility thanks to hot young actor Asa Butterfield of Hugo fame.
  8. Azai

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "strength"

    • Description:

      This name, with its great meaning, has seen a notable rise for boys since the mid-2010s. It debuted on the US charts for girls in 2021.
  9. Aku
    • Bex

      • Origin:

        Short form of Rebecca

      • Description:

        Modern, mini nickname for Rebecca, much fresher than Becca or Becky.
    • Bo

      • Origin:

        Norse nickname

      • Meaning:

        "to live"

      • Description:

        A popular name in Denmark, in this country Bo has some cowboy swagger and a lot of substance in its minimal two letters. In Mandarin Chinese, Bo means "wave".
    • Cal

      • Origin:

        Diminutive of names including Cal

      • Meaning:

        "dog; the whole of; dove; bald; war-strife; beautiful"

      • Description:

        Cal is a nickname style name that feels as friendly and calm as it does cool and breezy. While its longer forms have proved more popular over the years, Cal as a stand alone has dropped on and off of the US Top 1000 since the 1880s.
    • Ciel

      • Origin:

        French

      • Meaning:

        "sky"

      • Description:

        Heavenly French word name used for both sexes.
    • Cyan

      • Origin:

        English

      • Meaning:

        "greenish blue color"

      • Description:

        Cyan is a highly unusual blue-green color name, a classmate of Celadon and Cerulean. It does come with the homey nickname Cy.
    • Cere
      • Chel
        • Crim
          • Ely

            • Description:

              Ely is a gender-neutral name with feminine leanings that has multiple origins and meanings. As a feminine name, it often functions as a short form of names like Elizabeth, Eleanor, or Elena. It can also be derived from the Hebrew 'Eli' meaning 'ascension' or 'my God.' Ely has a light, airy quality with its simple two-syllable pronunciation (EE-lee). The name shares spelling with the historic cathedral city in Cambridgeshire, England, lending it geographic significance. In recent years, Ely has gained modest popularity as parents seek simple yet distinctive names. Its brevity, easy pronunciation, and gentle sound make it appealing across cultures. The name's versatility allows it to grow well with a person from childhood through adulthood.

          • Eon

            • Description:

              Eon is a concise masculine name with ancient Greek origins, derived from the word 'aiōn' meaning 'life force,' 'vital energy,' or 'eternity.' In scientific contexts, an eon represents a billion years, giving the name connotations of timelessness and endurance. Throughout history, the name has maintained a steady but uncommon presence across cultures. In Korean contexts, Eon has different origins and meanings. The name appeals to parents seeking a short, powerful name with philosophical depth. Its brevity makes it distinctive in Western naming traditions, while its cross-cultural adaptability and profound meaning related to time and existence give it intellectual appeal.
          • Esme

            • Origin:

              French

            • Meaning:

              "beloved"

            • Description:

              Esmé comes from the past participle of the Old French verb esmer, meaing "to esteem" or "to love." It can also be considered a derivative of the Spanish name Esmeralda, which means "emerald".