Short Boy Names

Curiosity about baby names often peaks when expecting a new addition to the family.

Short names for boys tend to be powerful and unique, carrying beautiful meanings and offering easy-to-pronounce sounds.

This guidance will explore a variety of short names, ranging from popular choices to distinctive international names.

These names are perfect for those seeking inspiration for a special name for their little one.

Popular Short Boy Names

Liam

Liam is the Irish short form of William. It’s become the most popular boy name in recent years.

It combines classic charm with a fun, short spin.

Noah

Noah is a Hebrew name meaning “rest” or “repose.” It gained popularity in the 1970s and surged in the 1990s. Today, it’s the second-most popular short name for boys.

Jack

Jack, a diminutive of John, means “Yahweh is gracious.” It’s a name that never goes out of style.

Jack can also be linked to the French name Jacques, meaning “may God protect.”

Levi

Levi is a Hebrew name that means “joined” or “attached.” This makes it a cute choice for a little boy who will surely be attached to his family.

Owen

Owen is a Welsh name connected to the Latin name Eugenius, or Eugene. It means “well-born,” making it a meaningful choice for a new baby.

John

John has been a classic name for centuries. This Hebrew name means “Yahweh is gracious,” referencing the Hebrew god.

It’s still popular and remains in the top 10.

Leo

Leo is derived from a Greek word meaning “lion.” Originally a gender-neutral name, it became popular again in the early 2000s. It evokes strength and courage.

Luke

Luke is the English form of the Latin name Lucas. It means “from Lucania,” a region in Southern Italy.

Since the 1970s, it has been one of the more popular short names for boys.

Ezra

Ezra is a Hebrew and biblical name that has been around for a long time. It gained popularity in the 2010s and became a gender-neutral name in 2018.

Luca

Luca is the Romanian and Italian form of Lucas, meaning “from Lucania.” While losing popularity in Italy, it has become one of the trendiest names in the United States.

Short Unique Boy Names

Alva

Alva is a name you might not hear often these days. It fell out of common use in the 1960s.

Interestingly, it was a name for both boys and girls and was famous as Thomas Edison’s middle name. Alva is a variant of Alvah, meaning “his highness” in Hebrew.

Cree

Cree is a unique and rare name. It comes from an indigenous tribe located in Canada and the United States. This name is unisex but can be a great option for boys who need a short and special name.

Ever

Ever is a name that stands out for its rarity. It derives from the English word “ever,” which comes from the Old English word æfre.

It’s a choice that brings a simple yet unique charm.

Hayes

Hayes is another unique name derived from a surname. If you like the idea of using last names as first names, consider Hayes.

It was carried by President Rutherford B. Hayes and originates from an Old English term meaning “fence, enclosure.”

Lorn

Lorn is short, unique, and has a rich history. Although it gained brief popularity in the 1960s, it actually comes from the Scottish place name Lorne.

It was also the title of Canada’s first governor-general, making it a notable choice.

Nash

Nash has been gaining some popularity recently but still retains its uniqueness.

The name comes from an Old English phrase meaning “at the ash tree.” Fans of the band Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young might find this name especially appealing.

Rian

Rian is an Irish twist on the more common name Ryan. While Ryan is pretty widespread, Rian is much rarer and has only been in use in the United States since the late 1970s.

It offers a fresh, unique spin on a classic name.

Shaw

Shaw is both an English and Scottish surname with intriguing meanings. It can be derived from sceaga, meaning “thicket,” or from the Gaelic name Sitheach, meaning “wolf.”

Either way, it’s a strong and unique choice for a boy’s name.

Vere

Vere is a name with historical roots as a Norman surname and a Gaulish word. It means “alder,” referring to the tree.

This makes it an interesting choice for those who appreciate nature-inspired names.

York

York is a name steeped in history and geography. It’s derived from a city in northern England and carries meanings related to “yew,” “boar,” and “village.”

It’s a cute option for those with English heritage or a love for historical places.

Short and Simple Boy Names

Alex

Alex is the short form of Alexander and is a popular name for boys. The name Alexander has Greek origins and means “defending man.”

One famous figure with this name is Alexander the Great, a king in the fourth century BCE.

Alan

Alan is a common and straightforward name that peaked in popularity in the 1950s in the United States. It originates from the Brittany region of France and means “little rock” or “handsome.”

Ben

Ben is a name that works well in many countries, including the United States, Europe, and Australia.

It is the abbreviated form of both Benjamin and Benedict. Benjamin means “son of the right hand,” while Benedict means “blessed.”

Kyle

Kyle gained popularity in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The name comes from several Scottish place names and originates from the Gaelic word caol, which means “channel” or “strait.”

Kurt

Kurt is not just a shortened version of Curtis; it is the German form of Conrad and means “brave counsel.”

A well-known person with this name was the musician Kurt Cobain.

Lou

Lou is a short and sweet name that has a classic and timeless feel. It comes from the French name Louis and the German name Ludwig, which means “famous battle.”

Matt

Although Matt is short and simple, it carries significant meaning.

It is the abbreviated form of Matthew, which derives from a Hebrew name meaning “gift of Yahweh.”

Ryan

Ryan is a widely-recognized name that has Irish origins. It means “little king.”

The rare Irish version, Rian, adds an extra layer of uniqueness.

Tony

Tony is a common name that has a lot of historical significance.

It is short for Anthony, which stems from the Roman family name Antonius. Notable historical figures with this name include the Roman emperor Mark Anthony.

Zack

Zack brings a touch of 1990s nostalgia, largely because of the character Zack Morris from the TV show Saved by the Bell.

Zack is short for Zachary, which comes from the Hebrew name Zekharyah, meaning “Yahweh remembers.”

Classic Short Names for Boys

Bert

Does it get any cuter than a baby named Bert? This classic moniker is the short form of Albert, a Germanic name meaning “noble” and “bright.”

Bob

Though the name Bob fizzled out in the 1980s, it’s still one of the most classic names in the United States. It’s short for Robert, a Germanic name meaning “bright fame.”

Cary

You might like this name if you’re a fan of the late actor Cary Grant, who contributed to the moniker’s popularity starting in the 1940s.

This short baby boys’ name derives from Irish Ciardha, which means “black.”

Earl

A truly classic name, Earl peaked in popularity in the late nineteenth century and only fizzled out in the 2000s. It derives from an Old English word meaning “nobleman, warrior.”

Guy

This is the Norman French form of the name Wido, a historic Germanic name meaning “wood.”

Guy was a popular name until the end of the sixteenth century when the infamous Guy Fawkes attempted to destroy the British Parliament.

It rose again in popularity in the nineteenth century, after it was used for character names in several novels.

Jody

Though slightly more common as a girls’ name, Jody is a unisex moniker that works as a variant of Judy (for girls) or a diminutive of Joseph (for boys).

Its popularity for both genders reigned from the 1940s through the 1990s.

If you’re using this classic short boys’ name from Joseph, then it means “he will add” in Hebrew.

Lyle

Short and simple, Lyle was quite a classic name for boys at the start of the twentieth century and is currently regaining its popularity. The name derives from the Norman French word l’isle, meaning “island.”

Mort

Mort is one of the more adorable and classic guy names, a short form for Morton or Mortimer.

Both are English surnames, with Morton meaning “moor town” and Mortimer deriving from Old French and meaning “still water.”

Otto

If you’re looking for a classic short boys’ name with Nordic ties, Otto is an excellent option.

It’s a common name in places like northern Germany, Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden and means “wealth, fortune.”

Rudy

A diminutive of Rudolf, Rudy has held its own as a classic name in the United States and is still used today. Rudolf comes from Germanic elements meaning “fame” and “wolf.”

Cute and Short Baby Boy Names

Alfie

Sweet Alfie might be the most adorable short baby boy name on this list. As a diminutive of Alfred, this name means “elf counsel” in Old English.

Famous bearers include Alfred Nobel, the founder of the Nobel Peace Prize, and the late director Alfred Hitchcock.

Bear

Bear is a modern English name that’s fairly new to the baby-naming scene. As expected, it means “bear.” The word comes from an Old English term meaning “brown.”

Cory

Cory, a variant of Corey, simply sounds cute! It derives from the Old Norse name Kóri, which has an unknown meaning.

Des

Des is a short form of Desmond, an Irish name meaning “south Munster,” an area in Ireland.

Other cute, short options include Desi or Dezi.

Jimi

Jimi is a variation of Jimmy, with the most famous bearer being musician Jimi Hendrix.

This short name connects to James, which comes from Jacob, meaning “may God protect.”

Max

Max offers a cute twist on names like Maximilian and Maxwell.

Both were Roman family names deriving from the Latin word Maximus, meaning “greatest.”

Noel

Noel is a classic short boy’s name that’s been popular for decades.

It’s the English form of Noël, which means “Christmas” in French. Fans of the band Oasis may think of the musician Noel Gallagher.

Olly

Oliver is cute on its own, but its diminutive Olly is even cuter.

Oliver may come from a Germanic name meaning “elf” and “army, warrior” or from an Old Norse name meaning “ancestor’s descendant.”

Pip

If you like Philip but want a cuter version, try Pip.

As a unisex name, Pip is also short for Philippa. Both Philip and Philippa connect to a Greek name meaning “friend of horses.”

Remy

Remy, a unisex name, started gaining popularity in the United States in the 2010s.

It’s the English form of the French name Rémy, derived from a Latin word meaning “oarsman, rower.”

More Cute and Short Baby Boy Names

We couldn’t leave out adorable meanings like “beloved” and “little king,” so here are even more cute and short baby boy names:

• Eli: This name means “ascended” or “uplifted” in Hebrew.
• Finn: A sweet name of Irish origin meaning “fair” or “white.”
• Gus: Often a short form of Augustus, it means “great” or “magnificent.”
• Leo: A timeless name that means “lion” in Latin.
• Theo: Short for Theodore, from Greek meaning “gift of God.”
• Reid: An Old English name meaning “red-haired.”
• Zane: Thought to mean “God is gracious.”

Strong Yet Simple Boy Names

Cole

Cole made its mark in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Often a surname, it traces back to Nicholas, a Greek name that means “victory to the people.”

Cy

Cy stands out as a very simple boy name.

It’s the short form of Cyrus or Cyril. Cyril means “lord,” giving it a sense of power.

Dom

Dom is a cute and short form of Dominic, which means “of the lord.”

In Late Latin times, boys born on Sundays were often named Dominic.

Dre

Dre is another short, strong name.

Coming from Andre, which is derived from Andrew, it means “manly, masculine.” Dr. Dre, an American rapper and producer, is a famous bearer of this name.

Eric

Eric, a classic Nordic name, carries the strong meaning of “ever ruler.”

Many Nordic kings had this name, giving it a royal touch.

Grier

Grier is a strong and unique name, rare yet impactful.

It’s a Scottish surname derived from Gregor and means “watchful, alert.”

Kai

Kai is a popular Hawaiian name meaning “sea.”

The sea’s strength makes this name powerful and appealing.

Leon

Leon is a great choice if looking for a strong yet cute name.

It means “lion,” symbolizing strength and bravery.

Sal

Sal is usually short for Salvador, a cute Spanish name.

Salvador, from Late Latin Salvator, means “savior.”

Ty

Ty can be short for Tyler, Tyson, or Tyrone.

The name Tyrone comes with the strong meaning of “firebrand,” which indicates someone with a vibrant personality.

Short Cool Boy Names

Ace

Ace is a name that stands out for its cool factor.

Originating from an Old English word, it means “highest rank.” This short, powerful name conveys a sense of excellence and top-tier status.

Ash

Commonly used as a short form of Ashley, Ash is a gender-neutral name.

It can refer to the ash tree or the residue left after a fire. This name carries a natural, earthy vibe.

Axel

Axel might bring to mind Axel Rose from Guns N’ Roses, but it has deeper roots as the medieval Danish form of Absalom.

This Hebrew name translates to “my father is peace,” adding a serene touch to its cool image.

Blue

Using a color as a name is a modern trend, and Blue fits right into it.

Famous figures like Beyoncé and Jay-Z named their daughter Blue, but it remains an uncommon and unique choice for boys.

Bret

Bret exudes coolness effortlessly.

Meaning “a Breton” or someone from the French region Brittany, this name is short yet impactful, ideal for a boy with a strong personality.

Dane

Dane is a naturally cool-sounding name that either refers to someone from Denmark or is related to the name Dean, which means “valley.”

Simple and stylish, it’s a great choice.

Fitz

Derived from the Norman-French word fitz, meaning “son of,” Fitz is often a part of longer names like Fitzroy and Fitzwilliam.

On its own, Fitz carries a distinct and cool factor.

Koby

A variation of Coby, Koby gained popularity in the late 1990s and early 2000s, partly due to basketball legend Kobe Bryant.

From the name Jacob, Koby means “may God protect.”

Ste

While Steve is a common short form of Stephen, Ste offers a cooler alternative.

This Greek name means “wreath, crown” and “that which surrounds,” adding a layer of sophistication.

Wes

Wes stands out as a hip and trendy choice.

As the short form of Wesley, it means “west meadow” and has a relaxed, modern feel. Perfect for a boy with a laid-back but cool persona.

International Short Names for Boys

Arek

This short baby boys’ name is Polish and a diminutive of Arkadiusz.

Relating to the Greek name Arkadios, it means “of Arcadia,” as in someone from this region of Greece.

Bryn

With this particular spelling, Bryn is typically a short guys’ name. But by adding a second n, you get Brynn, the spelling more common with girls.

As a Welsh name, Bryn means “hill, mound.”

Elmo

Besides being the name of the adored Sesame Street character, Elmo is one of the cutest Italian boy names.

It relates to the name Erasmus and means “beloved.”

Emil

As a Roman family name, Emil means “rival.”

You’ll find Emil in numerous European languages, including Romanian, Slovene, Danish, German, and Hungarian.

Edu

Another cute short name for baby boys, Edu comes from Eduardo, the Spanish and Portuguese form of Edward, and means “wealth, fortune” and “guard.”

Gael

You’ll find the name Gael most often in Spanish-speaking countries, as well as France and the United States.

It’s an ethnolinguistic term for those who speak Gaelic, so it also works if you’re looking for short Irish boy names.

Hugo

Short and sweet, Hugo is the Latinized form of the name Hugh, which has the adorable meaning of “heart, mind, spirit.”

It’s a common name in Spanish and Portuguese, plus a few other languages like German, Swedish, and French.

Joon

If you’re looking for Korean boy names, you might like Joon, which is an alternate spelling of Jun.

The name has several potential meanings, including “talented,” “handsome,” “king,” and “ruler.”

Omar

Omar is a common Arabic boys’ name and means “populous, flourishing,” as it derives from the word umar, meaning “life.”

Roch

This cute name is the French and Polish version of Rocco, a German name meaning “rest.”

Biblical Short Boy Names

Abe

Abe stands strong on its own but is also the short form of Abraham.

It means “father of many.” Abraham holds a significant place in the Bible, seen as the founder of the Hebrews by Jews and the founder of the Arabs by Muslims.

Eben

Eben is a cute shortening of Ebenezer. The name Ebenezer refers to a monument built by Samuel in the Old Testament.

It means “stone of help” in Hebrew.

Eli

Eli means either “ascension” or “my God” in Hebrew.

He was a high priest of the Israelites in the books of Samuel. This name offers a cute and strong option.

Gabe

Gabe is the short form of Gabriel.

Gabriel means “God is my strong man” in Hebrew. He is recognized as an archangel and messenger in Hebrew tradition.

Josh

Josh is short for Joshua, who was Moses’ companion and ascended Mount Sinai with him.

The name means “Yahweh (God) is salvation.”

Mark

Mark is a classic and simple short boy’s name, originating from Marcus.

The Gospel of Mark is one of the four gospels in the New Testament.

Moss

Moss is derived from the medieval form of Moses.

Moses is an essential figure in the Old Testament. The name means either “son” in Egyptian or “deliver” in Hebrew.

Pete

Pete is the short form of Peter, which means “stone” in Greek.

Peter was a leading apostle and is considered by many to be the first pope.

Sam

Sam is short for Samuel and means “name of God” or “God has heard.”

Samuel was the last of the ruling judges in the Old Testament.

Saul

Saul means “asked for, prayed for.”

He was the first king of Israel, making this a name of great historical significance.

Even More Short, Cool, Unique, and Simple Boy Names

Max

Max is a timeless name that means “greatest”. It’s both strong and classic, fitting for any little boy.

Finn

Finn brings to mind adventure and charm. This name is simple yet full of character.

Zane

Zane has a unique twist and gives off a cool vibe. It’s a great name if you’re looking for something different.

Jake

Jake is a friendly and popular name. It’s short, easy to say, and warm.

Leo

Leo means “lion”. It’s a short name that packs a lot of strength and history.

Jax

Jax is modern and edgy. It’s a twist on the classic name Jack, giving it a fresh feel.

Zeke

Zeke is a lively and energetic name. It’s unique but still familiar, making it a great choice.

Cade

Cade is both strong and simple. It’s easy to spell and pronounce, fitting for any little boy.

Nash

Nash has a cool and modern sound. It stands out while being easy to remember.

Troy

Troy is a strong and historic name. It brings to mind ancient warriors, making it both classic and powerful.