1900+ Four Letter Boy Names

Iain, this authentic Gaelic form of John, has been well used in Scotland since the early twentieth century, used concurrently with the shortened Ian spelling, but is rarely seen in the US.

Used most often in Hispanic cultures, though it does not feel like a typical Spanish name. It can also be seen as a spelling variant of the uber-popular Aidan, Aiden, Aden, etc.

Familiar via Harry, but much more worldly.

Kato gained a lot of attention during the O. J. Simpson trial via witness Kato Kaelin (born Brian). It is also the name of a fictional character in "The Green Hornet." Spelled Cato, it has a lot more credibility as an ancient name.

Manly almost to the point of macho.

Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik notably chose this name for their daughter in 2020, as a variation of Gigi's grandmother's name, Khairiah. In 2021, the name caught on for boys — Khai was a new debut on the Top 1000 and one of the fastest-rising names that year.

Quintessentially sweet and innocent unisex name of the 1960s and 70s, now gone the way of hot pants and disco balls.

Eilo is one of the few masculine names to derive from a feminine one. It comes from Eila, the Norwegian variation of Elina.

This form of Liam ranks in Puerto Rico's Top 100, and is also popular with French-speaking parents in Europe and Canada.

Cary Grant's debonair image has stood the test of time - he is still rated as one of the most handsome and admired men in Hollywood. There are not many other names that can combine good-looks, wit and such decency all in two little syllables.

Only if you're madly nostalgic for sixties TV.

Still one of the most appealing short forms, which goes a long way toward explaining the sustained popularity of Matthew. Matt is perennially the popular guy in high school, friendly, attractive, and comfortable with a baseball. Matty or Mattie are cute for a younger boy.

Talented Jamaican-American actor Dule (born Karim Dule) Hill introduced this name, suggested by an aunt who'd heard it in France. Pronounced doo-lay.

Ymir comes from Norse mythology, he is a giant and forebear of all the Norse gods and goddesses. A moon of Saturn is named Ymir.

Basketball legend Kobe Bryant, whose name was inspired by a Japanese steak house, brought this energetic and appealing name into -- and out of -- the mix. Bryant's tragic death in a helicopter crash in 2020 increased the popularity of his name, as fans and admirers named their children Kobe in honor of the star.

From Haruki Murakami's Kafka on the Shore, the story of a boy named Kafka -- crow in Czech.

Nace is a Slovene nickname that's rising quickly in its native country.

Avni is derived from Avniel, a Hebrew first and surname with a strong meaning. It is also a separate masculine Albanian name meaning "helper." The nickname Avni has a fresh, gender-neutral feel, although it has separate origins for girls and boys. The feminine version of this name is Sanskrit and means "earth."

Unlike Jake or Sam, few parents put Mike on the birth certificate.