Three Letter Boy Names

Even if you love Brian Eno, this doesn't make the most melodic name.

This short and striking Viktor nickname is more popular than the fuller form in the Netherlands, where it currently ranks in the Top 200.

A forgotten nickname for Columbus, which itself is becoming ever rarer. Radio comedy program Lum and Abner, which ran for over two decades beginning in 1931, featured a character named Columbus "Lum" Edwards.

Short form of the Biblical name Abiah or Abijah, meaning "my father is God".

A modern invention in the style of Kai. Long I is the hottest vowel sound right now, so Zai is destined for wider use.

Norse god who's the son of light plus historic diplomat Dag Hammarskjöld and author Dag Solstad combine to boost this Nordic name's appeal, but this could be difficult in English-speaking countries where the obvious tease will be "daggy Dag."

A name used in the Old Testament, as well as a variation of Buzz.

Efe is derived from the Greek word éfivos, meaning "adolescent."

A unisex Chinese name with a range of meanings, depending on the characters used. As a Chinese male name, "mountain mist" is one of the main reasons. In Vietnamese, it means "orchid".

As seen on SNL, Pat is the ultimate androgynous name. Stick with long form Patrick, and make sure everyone calls him Patrick.

Just the kind of old-fashioned nickname coming back into style.

Just say Noe to this translation of Noah.

Many African tribes have a tradition of naming children for the day or time they were born -- Friday, Afternoon -- a practice finding new life in the Western world as word names become more popular.

Better to stick with the Neil spelling in the US, where the word "nil" also means "zero." But this is a Top Ten name in Catalonia.

Simplify things and spell it Dai, or even Day.

Bartholomew is one vintage name with Biblical antecedents that hasn't risen again in the modern world, perhaps because short form Bart, as in Simpson, would be too difficult for a contemporary boy to bear. But antique nickname Bat might work better. Might.

Rob has claimed Bob's turf.