1900+ Four Letter Boy Names

  1. Pike
    • Origin:

      American animal name
    • Meaning:

      "pike, a fish"
    • Description:

      The field of nature names is constantly expanding to include all species of flowers and trees and animals and birds and even fish. In addition to its appeal for anglers, Pike recalls Zebulon Pike, the explorer who discovered and gave his name to Pike's Peak.
  2. Adan
    • Origin:

      Spanish variation of Adam
    • Meaning:

      "son of the red earth"
    • Description:

      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.
  3. Khai
    • Origin:

      Arabic or Hawaiian
    • Meaning:

      "benevolence; sea"
    • Description:

      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.
  4. Jens
    • Origin:

      Scandinavian variation of Johannes or John
    • Description:

      Short but substantial Nordic name that travels well -- although it runs the risk of being confused with all the feminine Jen names.
  5. Xeno
    • Origin:

      Green
    • Meaning:

      "of Zeus"
    • Description:

      With an X at the start and an O at the end, Xeno is undeniably modern and cool. If you're looking for a derivation, it could come from either the Greek male name Xenon, meaning "foreigner"; of from Zeno, a latinized form of the Greek name Zenon, meaning "dedicated to Zeus".
  6. Kato
    • Origin:

      African, Uganda
    • Meaning:

      "second of twins"
    • Description:

      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.
  7. Hari
    • Origin:

      Hindu
    • Meaning:

      "dark, tawny"
    • Description:

      Familiar via Harry, but much more worldly.
  8. Gian
    • Origin:

      Italian, diminutive of Giovanni
    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"
    • Description:

      Gian sounds (almost) like John, so there's some potential for confusion, but the spelling makes it unmistakeably Italian. It could be a solution if longer names like Gianni and Gianluca aren't your style.
  9. Cary
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "pleasant stream"
    • Description:

      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.
  10. Kobe
    • Origin:

      Swahili
    • Meaning:

      "tortoise"
    • Description:

      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.
  11. Dulé
    • Origin:

      French, meaning unknown
    • Description:

      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.
  12. Bart
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Bartholomew, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "son of the earth"
    • Description:

      Permanent property of that devilish little Simpson kid.
  13. Mike
    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Michael
    • Description:

      Unlike Jake or Sam, few parents put Mike on the birth certificate.
  14. Matt
    • Origin:

      Short form of Matthew
    • Meaning:

      "gift of God"
    • Description:

      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.
  15. Nace
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Ignac, Slovene
    • Meaning:

      "fiery"
    • Description:

      Nace is a Slovene nickname that's rising quickly in its native country.
  16. Crow
    • Origin:

      Bird name
    • Description:

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

      Pet name for Charles
    • Description:

      Only if you're madly nostalgic for sixties TV.
  18. Enys
    • Avni
      • Origin:

        Diminutive of Avniel, Hebrew; Albanian
      • Meaning:

        "God is my strength; helper"
      • Description:

        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."
    • Amil
      • Origin:

        Arabic or Sanskrit
      • Meaning:

        "one who hopes or unattainable; hard work"
      • Description:

        Hope is one meaning of the name Amil, which sounds similar to the German Emil; it can also mean unattainable in the sense of being so exalted as in royalty as to be out of reach. While Amil may not be familiar in the Western world, it's accessible and appealing.