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It’s common for boys to prefer short names over long ones. After all, even when they have long names, their friends use shortened forms to address them. So, here are some cool short boy names with meanings for a fresh and unique vibe. Our list includes trendy, modern short names that you can consider for your child. They are memorable, easy to spell, and impactful. Read on to learn more and choose the right name for your child.
Key Pointers
- Many parents prefer short and meaningful names to long names in recent times.
- Short names are easy to pronounce and remember.
- Names such as Alex, Ezra, and Rollo are considered classic and timeless.
- Research the name’s history and origin before selecting it.
100 Short Boy Names
Short boy names are trendy, cool, and timeless. They give off an effortless vibe, are easy to remember and spell, and never fail to leave a lasting impression. Here is our collection of short boy names, from traditional and popular to modern and distinctive. Take your pick.
Classic Short Boy Names
These names are fairly traditional, with Biblical, Germanic, or Celtic roots. If you want to give your son a simple yet memorable name, choose one of the following.
1. Aaron
In the Bible, Aaron was the name of the elder brother of Moses. It’s an attractive and timeless pick, meaning ‘elevated’.
2. Abe
This name sounds super cute and way more contemporary than Abraham. It is tied with former US president Abraham Abe Lincoln. The meaning of Abe is ‘father of multitudes’.
3. Abel
Another short and cute Biblical name, Abel was Adam and Eve’s son, who was killed by his own brother in a fit of jealousy. The meaning of Abel is ‘son of breath’.
4. Adam
Adam is derived from the Hebrew word ‘adama’, and means ‘birth’. But the generic meaning of Adam is ‘man’. A safe and timeless option.
Image: IStock
5. Aiden
Aiden has been one of the most popular short baby boy names for over a decade. This moniker has spawned several variations. In fact, it has also outdone Aidan, its traditional Irish spelling.
6. Alex
If you want something strong and happening, pick Alex for your son. It is a short form of Alexander and means ‘man warrior’.
7. Alfie
Alfie, the short form of Alfred, could make a potential given name for your son. Meaning ‘sage’ or ‘wise’, Alfie is a great pick for parents looking for a mystical twist.
8. Basil
A royal name for your little prince. Saint Basil the Great was a 4th century bishop and one of the fathers of the early Christian church. This Greek name means ‘kingly’.
9. Ben
The trend of using shortened version of names began in the 80s and has become commonplace now. Ben is the shortened version of Benjamin and means ‘son of’.
10. Bern
Bern is a perfect example of a name you can never get tired of, no matter how many times you hear it. This German name means ‘bear’.
11. Blake
This name originated as a nickname for someone who was very dark or light in complexion. It is robust, yet sweet, everything that a mother wishes in a name for her son.
12. Blane
This Irish and Scottish name is imbued with an air of effortless charm. In high school classic movie Pretty in Pink, Blane was an affluent playboy.
13. Carl
There are two possible origins of this name. It’s either taken from English name Charles, which means ‘free man’ or derived from Scandinavian or German name Karl.
14. Clark
This name hit the charts in the year 1881, but has been on the rise for the last few years. That’s probably because of its association with the Australian cricketer Michael Clark.
15. Claude
Artsy people would recognize this name from artist and painter Claude Monet. This moniker currently ranks #889 in the US Social Security Administration List.
16. Clyde
A typical Scottish name, Clyde refers to the River Clyde in Scotland.
17. Cole
The nomadic quality of Cole harkens back to our ancestors. It was further immortalized by Tom Cruise’s role of Cole Trickle in Days of Thunder. It means swarthy’ or coal-black’.
18. Craig
Craig is taken from a Scottish surname, meaning ‘rock’. It would make a good pick for parents who like strong and stable names.
Image: Shutterstock
19. David
This name hails from the Hebrew term Dawid, which means ‘beloved’. Being a Biblical name, David would make a good choice for religious parents.
Trivia20. Dean
An ideal pick for traditional parents. This moniker is taken from the Old English word ‘denu’, which means ‘church official’. It’s recent representative is the American actor Dean Cain.
21. Eli
Eli is a Biblical name with loads of energy and spirit. It currently ranks 53rd in the US SSA list.
22. Enzo
This captivating Italian name is a short form of Lorenzo and Vincenzo. But the Germans consider it as a variation of Henry.
23. Ethan
Ethan has been one of the top 10 names for over a decade now. It would make an excellent option for parents who want a name that’s approachable and not too traditional.
24. Ezra
Ezra is a Hebrew name, meaning ‘help’. This name fits both genders, but we feel it would suit boys more.
25. Finn
Of late, we’ve been hearing Finn in several forms, Finley and Finnegan being the most common. But nothing can match the cuteness of Finn. And it’s on the steady rise in the US.
26. Gary
This German name has all the qualities to bounce back into fashion. It’s small, easy to spell and pronounce and has a tough meaning. Gary means ‘spear’.
27. Gavin
Meaning ‘white hawk’, this name resonates a strength that parents look for in their sons. Gavin Rossdale and Gavin DeGraw are notable celebs with this name.
28. George
This name saw a jump in popularity with the birth of Prince George of the UK.
29. Grant
Did you know that this moniker originated from a nickname for tall people? That’s new to us too. This name is associated with artist Grant Wood, best known for his painting ‘American Gothic’. Grant means ‘large’.
30. Gus
Gus is the shortened version of the name August or Augustus and means ‘great and magnificent’. The last time this name shined was in 1978.
31. Hale
This moniker projects the sense of being hale and hearty. Its namesake is Nathan Hale, the revolutionary war hero.
32. Hank
This name is mostly renowned for being the nickname of Henry. But since 2006, it has started being used on its own.
33. Hans
Hans originated as a short form of Johannes or John, but it’s mostly associated with Hansel from the fairy tale. With namesakes like composer Hans Zimmer and Danish storyteller Hans Christian Ander, this name is sure to arouse the creative side of your little one.
34. Ian
Image: IStock
Ian is the Scottish version of the name John and means ‘God is gracious’. It may not appear, but Ian is way more popular than you think.
35. Jack
Our list would have been incomplete without mentioning Jack. This name is brave, bold, beautiful and classic. Jack means ‘supplanter’.
36. James
This name is on the upswing, along with its predecessor Jacob. We think it would make an excellent middle name too. Jacob means ‘supplanter’.
Trivia37. Jay
If you like names steeped in mythology, Jay could be the one for you. It’s the short form of Jason, which is the name of a renowned figure in Greek mythology.
38. John
Several great people are named John: John Wayne, John Kennedy, John Cena and John Barrymore, and the list goes on. It was also the name of one of the 12 apostles of Jesus.
39. Kent
Kent is a Celtic name, meaning ‘high or coastal land’. The history of this name can be traced to Berkshire in the UK. Geeky parents would associate this name to Clark Kent, the Superman.
40. Kurt
Kurt is a High German name, meaning ‘advisor’. Its namesake is NASCAR driver Kurt Busch and Canadian skater Kurt Browning. Remember, Kurt and Curt are different.
41. Lars
This charming name is the Scandinavian translation of Latin word, ‘Laurentius’, which means ‘man from the place of Laurel’. Metaphorically, this name means ‘victory’. This short but strong name would be a perfect pick for a young man who’s meant to lead a victorious life.
42. Lee
Lee is a gentle sounding short name for boys used mostly as a surname or middle name. It hit the popularity charts in the year 1951, when it reached #226 spot. Lee means ‘meadow’.
43. Levi
Levi was the name of the third son of Leah and Jacob. But his real name was Matthew. This name is expected to rise in popularity, considering Matthew McConaughey recently chose it for his son.
44. Liam
Liam originated as a short form of William, but it’s now a formidable option on its own. It was popularized by American actor Liam Neeson. Teenagers would associate this name with Hunger Games star Liam Hemsworth.
45. Luca
Luca is a popular gender-neutral name that is mostly used as a male name in Italy. Colin Firth and Hillary Duff picked this name for their sons. Jennie Garth, on the other hand, used it for her daughter.
46. Luigi
This moniker was for long associated with Mario’s brother. But it has now started to make a mark of its own. Luigi would appeal to vintage and old-fashioned parents. It means ‘renowned warrior’.
47. Luis
This spelling is a nice variation to the commonly used Louis. Meaning ‘famous warrior’, this name is also tied with Luis Bunuel, who’s fondly referred to as the father of cinematic surrealism.
48. Luke
Luke is a perennial favorite with the parents, and it isn’t difficult to decipher why. Despite being Biblical in origin, this moniker sounds fresh and steadfast. And it’s associated with Star Wars (Luke Skywalker).
49. Mark
Some say that Mark is the English form of Marcus while some others opine that it’s related to Mars. This name reached the pinnacle of its popularity in 1974, and is all set to make a comeback.
50. Mason
This name is simple to spell and pronounce and its meaning ‘stone worker’ gives it a hardy feel. This upscale name is a favorite with celebs as well, with Ne-Yo and Kourtney Kardashian naming their sons Mason.
51. Max
Though Max is one of the most favorite short names of all time, It’s a pity that it has never made it to the top 100 list.
52. Miles
Fashionista mothers would be aware that this name was made popular by supermodel Miles McMillan, one of the top 50 models right now. Its association with musician Miles Davis further cements its position as one of the greatest baby names.
53. Neil
If an unusual name is what you want for your son, Neil will interest you. This unique short name is taken from an Irish Gaelic name, meaning ‘cloud’ or ‘champion.’
54. Noah
Perhaps the romantic movie The Notebook helped this Biblical name move up to the top spot on the SSA list. This moniker is staid, strong and sounds fresh even after years of usage.
55. Oscar
Naming your son Oscar would set him for a lifetime of respectability and success. It’s been used by several European royalties, in all its variations.
56. Paul
Parents worldwide are a huge fan of this short and sweet baby boy name. It comes from the Latin word ‘paul’, meaning ‘humble’.
57. Peter
Peter originates from the Greek word ‘petros’ and means ‘rock’ or ‘stone’. Its pop culture reference would be Peter Parker, the real name of Spiderman.
Rollo, meaning ‘famous in the land’, is a name fit for a Viking leader or a rambunctious little guy. Its variation includes Rolla and Rolf.
58. Ryan
This moniker instantly brings Ryan Reynolds to mind. Ryan is one of the few names that have stayed in the popularity charts for decades. It’s an Irish name meaning ‘king’.
59. Sam
Sam, the abbreviation of Samuel, feels way more modern than the original. Around 11,000 babies are named Sam every year.
60. Scott
If you’re a fan of literature, how about naming your son after, Scott Fitzgerald, the author of “The Great Gatsby”? This name means ‘Scottish’.
61. Sean
This Irish moniker reigned the US baby name list for long. It may have slipped, but not too low. This name means ‘God is gracious’.
62. Tom
Tom is the most familiar alternative of Thomas. It means ‘twin’.
63. Zac
It is a name popularized by Disney hero Zac Efron. It’s originally a short form of Zachary and means ‘God has remembered’.
Unique Short Boy Names
Choosing a short boy name for your son allows you to play around with spellings and diminutives to come up with something truly distinctive. Explore some of the most uncommon names for your little one.
64. Acer
It is a spelling variant of the name Aser, which comes from the Arabic name Aasir. The name means ‘captivator’ and signifies someone powerful.
65. Avis
Avis isn’t just a spell in the Harry Potter books, but is a proper Latin name, meaning ‘bird’. This name was hugely popular in the middle ages when the Normans got it to England. Avis means ‘desired’.
66. Axel
Axel is unique plus badass. You don’t get to hear this name too often, and that’s what draws parents towards it. This name means ‘father of peace’.
67. Beck
This name has never been listed in the top 1000 category. So we feel it will make a unique pick for your son.
68. Blair
Translating to ‘field’ in Scottish, this moniker conjures images of green fields filled with wildflower. Blair is rarely used now. So seize it before it becomes too familiar.
69. Bodhi
This ultra-rare name is beginning to rise, thanks to the stars who have opted for it. This moniker is taken from a Sanskrit word, meaning ‘enlightenment’.
70. Brice
If you want a bouncing name for your son, Brice could be the one for you. But there’s a catch. Since it’s just a letter away from turning into Bruce, your child may face some typos all his life.
71. Cian
Cian is a name with a sense of playfulness and nobility. Meaning ‘ancient and enduring’, this moniker takes on solemnity with a hint of pleasure.
72. Dante
In the Italian language, Dante means ‘enduring and steadfast’, two robust traits that we believe you want your baby boy to have. Dante is not entirely unheard of, but still sounds rare.
73. Dash
sounds cooler, and of course, dashing when used in its short form. And it’s proven as well, with Dash making its entry into the US Top 1000 list in the year 2014.
74. Dion
This Greek name is a shortened variation of Dionysius, the name of the Greek god of fertility, wine, and theater. We also feel that Dion sounds trendier than the original.
75. Eryk
This moniker represents an ideal character- strong and adorable. In the Polish language, Eryk means ‘lovable’, which we’re sure your son will be. And in the Norse language, Eryk translates to ‘eternal ruler’.
76. Fox
One of the most used animal-inspired name. In ancient times, Fox referred to people who hunted or caught foxes.
77. Gunn
Gunn is the shortened variation of the German name Gunther, meaning ‘warrior’. It’s usually used as a last name, take, for instance, Anna Gunn, the American actress and Tim Gunn, American fashion consultant.
78. Ike
With Isaac on the rise, its short form Ike could make it to the top 1000 list soon.
79. Jan
Jan is the European form of Jon and is pronounced as ‘Yan’. Some people may find it similar to Han, but we think it’s cool and different.
80. Knox
One of the coolest one-syllable short names for boys. Knox means ‘from the hills’.
81. Leif
Leif is a lovely name from Norse mythology. As per Norse legend, Viking Leif Ericson landed on the American shores around 500 years before Columbus came to the Caribbean.
82. Leon
Leon is a French word for ‘lion’. Lion is an imposing figure in several cultures and regions. It symbolizes courage, grandeur, and kingliness. If you want to make it shorter, snip the ‘n’ from it.
83. Loic
This moniker is different, in both sounds and look and that’s what is attractive. Loic is the French variation of Louise and means ‘famous warrior’.
84. Lyle
Image: Shutterstock
Lyle is a straightforward, single syllable, cool short name, meaning ‘someone who lives on an island’. It’s usually used as a surname in European countries, but it would work well as a first name also.
85. Lynx
If you are both, an animal lover and a tech geek, Lynx would be an excellent pick for you. Apart from being one of the species of wild cats, Lynx is also a software technology, providing internet, phone connections and medical devices to millions.
86. Mack
Mack has been able to make to the top 100 list since the year 1900. It means ‘son’.
87. Mika
This sweetheart of a name means ‘beautiful smell’ in Japanese. In Native American language, Mika means ‘wise little raccoon’ and in Finnish, it translates to ‘who is like God’.
88. Orion
Orion, the name of the most recognizable constellations in the world, is inspired by Greek mythology. This rare and exotic name means ‘rising in the sky’.
89. Reid
This unisex name is familiar in the US more for boys than girls. Meaning ‘red-haired’, this name currently ranks #259 in the top 1000 baby boy list. And the ‘i’ in this name gives it a unique look.
90. Rhys
Rhys, a beautiful name with Welsh roots, is a variation of Reece. This moniker entered the top 100 list in the year 2004, probably after being inspired by actor Jonathan Rhys. Rhys means ‘ardor’.
91. River
It seems that this name will never go out of style. The most notable River has to be the 70s heartthrob River Phoenix.
92. Rollo
Rollo, meaning ‘famous in the land’, is a name fit for a Viking leader or a rambunctious little guy. Its variation includes Rolla and Rolf.
93. Taft
Solid, brief and rare, Taft is an Old French name meaning ‘homestead’. Its namesake is William Howard Taft, the 26th US president.
94. Valor
As per Oxford dictionary, Valor means ‘great courage in the face of danger’, which is exactly what boys of future generation will need. And it sounds cool as well!
95. Van
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Van is a jazzy, medieval Dutch name, poised for a comeback, along with cousins Walt and Ray. This moniker is usually heard as a prefix of a surname, but it would make a great first name too.
96. Vidor
If you want a unique short baby name for your son, Vidor could be the right pick. The moniker sounds rough and tough, but means ‘happy’ in the Hungarian language.
97. Wolfe
Names with earthy elements are extremely popular. Wolves are extremely powerful on their own, yet they do not indulge in any activity without the other group members, which we feel is a strong quality. The ‘e’ at the end is making it look even better.
98. Wynn
This Welsh name is one of the freshest choices in the US. It harks back to the good old days when surnames like Winfred, Winston and Winfield were extremely popular. This name means ‘handsome’.
99. Zane
If you want your son to stand out with a distinctive name, you’ve found it here. Zane is a name with happy vibes.
100. Zed
This Hebrew name is another variation of Zedekiah and means ‘the Lord is just’. It’s definitely less stuffy and more hip.
Discover More Names
When you have to choose a name for your baby, a few hundreds of names may not be just enough. Keep digging our mine of baby names until you find that one precious gem.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do short boy names differ across cultures and languages?
Short boy names vary across cultures and languages in terms of their pronunciation, spelling, and meanings.
2. How do parents choose short boy names for their children?
The factors that parents consider before naming their child include family traditions, cultural significance, and the meaning associated with the name. Some parents may also choose short names because they are easier to pronounce or remember.
3. Are there any cultural or religious traditions that influence short boy name choices?
In some cultures, parents choose names deeply rooted in religion and are significantly influenced by spirituality. While in others, children are named after family members or ancestors.
4. Can short boy names have multiple meanings or significance?
The meanings and significance of short boy names vary with origin, region, culture, and languages used.
5. Do short boy names have any impact on a child’s personality or future success?
A child’s name may influence their personality but may not be the sole determinant of future success. Other factors such as educational opportunities, familial structure, economic status, and parenting style may have a greater impact on a child’s personality and future success.
When you choose a name for your baby boy, you want their name to be unique but simple and easy to remember. But picking out such a name from a wide range available online or in books can be a tedious task. Therefore, this list of cute boy names might help you pick a name suitable for your little one. You can choose from common names–Adam, Cole, Gary, or give them uncommon ones–Knox, Mika, Valor, etc.
Infographic: Short Boy Names With Meanings
You will find several long names while searching for the best one for your baby, and you might like them too. But one thing about them is that there will always be an unsuitable shorter version of the names, usually given by your little one’s peers. So, why not skip the shortening of the original name and find a short and meaningful one? Read the following infographic for a list of such choices. Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Illustration: Sweet And Short Names For Boys With Meanings
Image: Dall·E/MomJunction Design Team
From Abe to Zack, short boy names are ruling the popularity charts these days! Check out this awesome video for cool and strong short boy names! Get inspired and find the perfect name for your little one.
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