Short Boy Names

663 namesBoy

Short boys' names have a crisp, direct quality that makes them easy to say, spell, and remember. Many of them are classics with long histories. John has been one of the most used names in English for centuries, and Luke comes from the Greek name of the gospel writer. Adam, Noah, and Levi are Hebrew names from the Bible, and Eli was a priest who raised a young prophet at Shiloh.

Other names here come from different languages. Liam began as an Irish short form of a Germanic name meaning resolute protector, and Ryan comes from an Irish surname. Owen and Evan are Welsh, and Ian is the Scottish form of that name. Jose and Luis are Spanish forms of classic names, and Leo is Latin for lion. Jack began as a medieval nickname and has long been a favorite in its own right.

Short names pair well with long surnames, creating a pleasing balance. They also rarely shorten further, so the name you choose is likely the one your son will use every day. If your surname is also short, consider a longer middle name to give the full name more rhythm and presence.

Most popular right now

Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Liam Boy
LEE-uhm
“resolute protector” · Irish
#1
John Boy
JAHN
“Yahweh is gracious” · Hebrew
#23
Ryan Boy
RY-uhn
“little king” · Irish
#99
Jack Boy
JAK
“Yahweh is gracious” · English
#15
Luke Boy
LOOK
“man from Lucania” · Greek
#33
Owen Boy
OH-uhn
“possibly well born” · Welsh
#31
Levi Boy
LEE-vy
“joined, attached” · Hebrew
#12
Evan Boy
EH-vuhn
“Yahweh is gracious” · Welsh
#153
Jose Boy
hoh-ZAY
“he will add” · Spanish
#95

Top 300 of 663 names

Sorted by current popularity. US rank uses 2025 data for the name's most common sex; the trend compares births with five years earlier. Tap a column heading to re-sort.

Name Meaning Origin US rank 2025 5-yr trend
Noah rest, comfort Hebrew 2 ↑ +10%
Liam resolute protector Irish 1 → +5%
John Yahweh is gracious Hebrew 23 → -3%
Ryan little king Irish 99 ↓ -34%
Jack Yahweh is gracious English 15 → -2%
Luke man from Lucania Greek 33 ↓ -11%
Owen possibly well born Welsh 31 ↓ -17%
Levi joined, attached Hebrew 12 ↑ +6%
Evan Yahweh is gracious Welsh 153 ↓ -29%
Jose he will add Spanish 95 → -5%
Eli ascended, uplifted Hebrew 104 ↓ -35%
Ian God is gracious Scottish 83 ↓ -8%
Leo lion Latin 19 ↑ +13%
Adam man; possibly earth Hebrew 101 ↓ -7%
Ezra help Hebrew 20 ↑ +19%
Luis famous warrior Spanish 144 ↓ -8%
Juan God is gracious Spanish 159 ↓ -8%
Jace modern short form of Jason American (modern coinage) 114 ↓ -19%
Luca from Lucania; form of Luke Italian 14 ↑ +81%
Cole from an English surname English 182 ↓ -28%
Alex defender of men Greek 232 ↓ -29%
Kai sea (Hawaiian) Hawaiian 93 → -3%
Axel father of peace Scandinavian 79 ↓ -11%
Eric ever ruler Old Norse 273 ↓ -34%
Max greatest Latin 180 ↓ -18%
Ivan God is gracious Russian 163 ↓ -8%
Joel Yahweh is God Hebrew 219 ↓ -11%
Kyle narrow strait Scottish 509 ↓ -44%
Sean God is gracious Irish 489 ↓ -37%
Alan uncertain; possibly little rock or handsome Breton 191 → -3%
Jude praised Hebrew 155 → -2%
Beau handsome French 60 ↑ +54%
Gael — Breton 86 ↑ +18%
Amir prince, commander Arabic 105 → +4%
Zion a hill in Jerusalem Hebrew 142 → -2%
Jake short form of Jacob English 457 ↓ -34%
Mark probably dedicated to Mars Latin 245 ↓ -9%
Cody from an Irish surname Irish 318 ↓ -5%
Abel breath Hebrew 231 ↓ -28%
Paul small, humble Latin 262 ↓ -6%
Omar long-lived; flourishing Arabic 260 → -4%
Dean valley; church official English 125 ↑ +33%
Milo possibly 'merciful' or 'dear' Germanic 119 ↑ +7%
Enzo short form of Lorenzo or Vincenzo Italian 72 ↑ +105%
Finn fair, white Irish 206 ↓ -21%
Seth appointed Hebrew 581 ↓ -27%
Zane — English 324 ↓ -23%
King king English 405 ↓ -65%
Gage pledge English 973 ↓ -63%
Theo short for Theodore, gift of God Greek 82 ↑ +77%
Luka from Lucania Slavic 85 ↑ +65%
Leon lion Greek 138 ↑ +34%
Lane narrow path English 250 → +1%
Cash money; also an English surname English 287 ↓ -9%
Jax short for Jackson, son of Jack American (modern coinage) 342 ↓ -32%
Ace one who excels; the top card English 164 ↑ +17%
Jett jet, a black gemstone English 169 ↑ +79%
Knox round hill Scottish 196 ↑ +20%
Ali exalted, high Arabic 306 ↑ +10%
Reid red, red-haired Scottish 293 ↑ +10%
Andy short for Andrew, manly English 565 ↓ -31%
Colt young horse English 285 ↓ -30%
Troy from the ancient city of Troy Greek 533 ↓ -22%
Erik ever ruler Old Norse 546 ↓ -22%
Jase to heal; short form of Jason English 717 ↓ -41%
Arlo — English 148 ↑ +44%
Cruz cross Spanish 331 ↓ -7%
Tate from an Old English personal name English 194 ↑ +107%
Cade from an English surname; round, lumpy English 248 ↑ +69%
Nash at the ash tree English 255 ↓ -10%
Iker visitation Basque 390 → +1%
Nico short form of Nicholas, 'victory of the people' Italian 174 ↑ +98%
Kash variant of Cash, an English surname American (modern coinage) 286 ↓ -14%
Reed red-haired English 419 ↑ +16%
Aden little fire Irish 1,008 ↓ -43%
Adan man, earth Spanish 482 → -1%
Jay jay bird; short for J-names English 392 → +0%
Kade variant of Cade, an English surname English 349 ↑ +10%
Raul counsel wolf Spanish 634 ↓ -13%
Hugo mind, heart, spirit Germanic 378 ↑ +18%
Wade at the river ford Old English 344 → +0%
Kane battle; descendant of Cathán Irish 451 ↓ -28%
Kobe from the Japanese city of Kobe Japanese 519 ↓ -62%
Saul asked for, prayed for Hebrew 557 ↑ +10%
Trey third English 890 ↓ -27%
Zayn beauty, grace Arabic 253 ↑ +30%
Rhys enthusiasm, ardor Welsh 412 ↑ +9%
Crew group working together English 256 ↑ +14%
Odin fury, inspiration Old Norse 502 ↓ -39%
Niko victory of the people Greek 325 ↑ +20%
Tony short form of Anthony English 784 ↓ -24%
Asa healer, physician Hebrew 483 ↑ +8%
Otto wealth Germanic 277 ↑ +57%
Alec defender of men Scottish 977 ↓ -50%
Kian ancient, enduring Irish 401 ↑ +21%
Roy red; often linked to king Scottish 525 ↑ +17%
Sam God has heard; short for Samuel Hebrew 647 ↑ +6%
Hank short for Henry; home ruler English 413 ↑ +26%
Dane a Dane, from Denmark English 821 ↑ +10%
Dax uncertain; possibly from a French town French 692 ↓ -38%
Joe he will add; short for Joseph English 994 ↓ -32%
Gary from an English surname; possibly spear English 1,073 ↓ -30%
Noe rest, comfort Spanish 755 ↓ -10%
Ares — Greek 290 ↑ +150%
Case from an English surname English 733 ↓ -26%
Koa brave, warrior; koa tree Hawaiian 269 ↑ +169%
Onyx claw, fingernail; the gemstone Greek 365 ↑ +97%
Zain beauty, grace Arabic 567 ↑ +8%
Carl free man German 1,134 ↓ -35%
Toby God is good English 979 ↑ +36%
Lee wood, clearing, meadow English 727 ↑ +17%
Aldo old, elder Italian 960 ↓ -19%
Mack son of Scottish 463 ↑ +15%
Cory — Irish 1,245 ↓ -35%
Neil uncertain; possibly 'champion' or 'cloud' Irish 851 ↓ -11%
Jon Yahweh is gracious (via John) English 951 ↓ -14%
Clay clay English 573 ↑ +24%
Marc possibly from Mars (form of Mark) French 1,237 ↓ -11%
Ray counsel protector; ray of light English 792 ↓ -7%
Rex king Latin 859 ↓ -26%
Aron variant of Aaron Hebrew 711 ↑ +10%
Koda friend Native American 411 ↑ +66%
Ben son of the right hand Hebrew 843 ↓ -7%
Ford river crossing English 474 → -1%
Chad uncertain; possibly 'battle' Old English 1,701 ↓ -36%
Kody variant of Cody; helper Irish 1,070 ↓ -13%
Rene reborn French 1,092 ↓ -9%
Duke leader; the noble title English 695 ↓ -8%
Amos carried, borne by God Hebrew 730 → -0%
Rudy famous wolf; pet form of Rudolph German 739 ↑ +32%
Kole variant of Cole; charcoal, or from Nicholas American (modern coinage) 1,247 ↓ -40%
Zeke God strengthens Hebrew 803 ↓ -19%
Zaid growth, abundance Arabic 677 → +3%
Will will, desire and protection English 1,195 ↓ -28%
Rey king Spanish 908 → +2%
Grey grey, the color English 1,014 ↓ -26%
Van from; short form of names like Vance Dutch 972 ↓ -9%
Kylo modern; from a Star Wars character American (modern coinage) 402 ↑ +20%
Otis wealth English 652 → +2%
Hugh heart, mind, spirit Germanic 732 ↑ +11%
Musa Arabic form of Moses Arabic 470 ↑ +100%
Lian uncertain; varies by language Chinese 428 ↑ +157%
Avi my father Hebrew 832 ↑ +22%
Rome the city of Rome Latin 452 ↑ +213%
Emir prince, commander Arabic 551 ↑ +33%
Cain acquired Hebrew 1,142 ↓ -27%
Koen bold counsel Dutch 623 ↑ +176%
Jair he shines, he enlightens Hebrew 1,193 ↓ -32%
Kase modern variant of Case American (modern coinage) 1,115 ↓ -30%
Mike who is like God? English 1,234 → -3%
Ayan uncertain; varies by language — 762 ↑ +37%
Bode uncertain; possibly messenger German 748 ↑ +24%
Mac son Scottish 696 ↑ +65%
Isai Spanish form of Jesse; gift Spanish 1,139 ↑ +16%
Zayd growth, increase Arabic 633 ↑ +47%
Kye variant of Kai or Kyle American (modern coinage) 1,369 ↓ -52%
Zyon variant of Zion Hebrew 947 ↑ +42%
Dash dash, quick movement English 1,056 ↓ -29%
Krew crew American (modern coinage) 601 ↑ +34%
Coen bold counsel Dutch 1,376 ↓ -42%
Leif heir, descendant Old Norse 917 → +5%
Axl father of peace; variant of Axel American (modern coinage) 1,123 ↓ -40%
Ean variant of Ian; Yahweh is gracious Scottish 1,797 ↓ -29%
Kale short for Caleb; Hawaiian form of Charles English 7,419 ↓ -56%
Deon variant of Dion American (modern coinage) 1,383 ↓ -12%
Todd fox English 1,618 ↓ -15%
Ozzy short for Oswald or Osborne English 549 ↑ +184%
Jai victory Sanskrit 1,460 ↓ -25%
Cal short for Calvin, Callum or Caleb English 543 ↑ +136%
Ross headland Scottish 1,465 ↓ -10%
Dion short form of Dionysius Greek 1,268 ↓ -33%
Yair he will shine Hebrew 1,450 ↑ +16%
Zev wolf Hebrew 866 ↑ +11%
Keon uncertain; modern coinage American (modern coinage) 1,578 ↓ -21%
Fox fox English 1,411 ↓ -47%
Dale valley English 1,410 → -2%
Taj crown Persian 1,667 ↓ -41%
Wes short form of Wesley; west meadow English 716 ↑ +74%
Mylo — Germanic 737 ↑ +24%
Gino short for names like Luigi Italian 1,218 ↑ +8%
Elio sun (from Helios) Italian 388 ↑ +342%
Lyle the island French 1,047 → +2%
Sami elevated, sublime Arabic 1,114 ↑ +41%
Zack short for Zachary; God has remembered Hebrew 1,435 ↓ -9%
Beck stream, brook English 913 ↑ +32%
Gian short form of Giovanni; God is gracious Italian 956 ↑ +54%
Bear bear English 853 ↑ +14%
Meir one who shines Hebrew 948 ↑ +12%
Jaxx modern variant of Jax American (modern coinage) 1,102 ↓ -24%
Nick short for Nicholas; victory of the people English 1,447 → +2%
Cale short for Caleb; also a surname English 2,722 ↑ +15%
Amar immortal Sanskrit 1,388 ↓ -8%
Karl free man German 1,593 → +3%
Gray gray; gray-haired English 1,418 ↓ -15%
Khai — Vietnamese 1,179 ↑ +21%
Kael — American (modern coinage) 903 ↑ +265%
Gus short form of Augustus or Gustav English 1,331 ↓ -12%
Josh short form of Joshua; God is salvation English 1,703 → +2%
Coby short for Jacob; supplanter English 1,874 ↓ -38%
Kace modern coinage American (modern coinage) 1,016 ↓ -24%
Kyro modern name of uncertain origin American (modern coinage) 611 ↑ +72%
Jad serious, earnest Arabic 1,355 ↓ -36%
Kyan — American (modern coinage) 2,029 ↓ -39%
Boaz uncertain; possibly 'swiftness' Hebrew 891 ↑ +51%
Eddy pet form of Edward or Edmund English 1,605 ↑ +6%
Tzvi deer, gazelle Hebrew 1,079 ↑ +13%
Jet jet, the black gemstone English 1,246 ↑ +17%
Zen meditation Japanese 1,144 ↑ +16%
Guy uncertain; possibly 'wood' or 'wide' French 1,637 ↓ -21%
Syed lord, master Arabic 1,221 ↑ +24%
Cian ancient, enduring Irish 1,310 ↑ +25%
Maxx greatest (variant of Max) American (modern coinage) 1,761 → -1%
Veer brave, hero Sanskrit 942 ↑ +45%
Cael — Irish 1,945 ↑ +55%
Lev lion; also heart Russian 1,001 ↑ +28%
Emil rival (from Aemilius) German 1,269 → +2%
Coy shy, quiet English 1,451 → -3%
Kent from the English county English 1,659 ↓ -16%
Ewan uncertain; possibly born of the yew Scottish 1,479 ↑ +8%
Teo short for Teodoro or Mateo; gift of God Spanish 794 ↑ +146%
Kolt variant of Colt, young horse American (modern coinage) 1,414 ↓ -36%
Tahj crown Persian 1,544 ↓ -39%
Crue uncertain; modern word-style name American (modern coinage) 797 ↑ +90%
Kruz variant of Cruz, cross Spanish 1,216 ↓ -11%
Rico short for Ricardo or Enrico Spanish 1,805 ↓ -26%
Neo new Greek 1,066 ↑ +13%
Yoel God is God Hebrew 1,643 ↓ -31%
Kain variant of Kane or Cain Irish 1,738 ↓ -12%
Xavi short form of Xavier; new house Catalan 1,545 ↑ +87%
Oren pine tree Hebrew 1,184 ↑ +37%
Alek short for Alexander, defender Greek 2,604 ↓ -54%
Roan red; from Irish Ruadhán or roan horse Irish 1,309 ↑ +14%
Ash ash tree English 1,177 → -4%
Ely variant of Eli; or English place name Hebrew 2,653 → +2%
Hans short form of Johannes; God is gracious German 1,325 ↑ +25%
Kyng king, respelled American (modern coinage) 1,684 ↓ -62%
Zeus sky, bright Greek 1,351 ↓ -12%
Dev god, deity Sanskrit 1,427 ↑ +29%
Chaz short for Charles, free man English 4,568 ↓ -71%
Elon oak tree Hebrew 1,780 ↓ -52%
Jrue modern name of uncertain origin American (modern coinage) 817 ↑ +153%
Elan tree in Hebrew; vigor in French Hebrew 2,490 ↓ -29%
Koby short form of Jacob; supplanter Hebrew 2,174 ↓ -35%
Neal uncertain; possibly champion or cloud Irish 1,914 ↓ -21%
Ajay unconquerable Sanskrit 2,230 ↓ -26%
Nate short for Nathan or Nathaniel; gift English 1,748 ↑ +18%
Jan form of John; God is gracious Dutch 2,731 ↓ -32%
Ilan tree Hebrew 1,445 ↓ -6%
Don short for Donald; world ruler Scottish 1,795 → -1%
Earl nobleman, warrior English 2,236 ↓ -7%
Dov bear Hebrew 1,453 ↑ +7%
Rami archer; also exalted Arabic 1,106 ↑ +58%
Fred peace; short for Frederick English 1,936 → -4%
Anas friendliness, companionship Arabic 1,292 ↑ +16%
Kurt short form of Konrad; bold counsel German 2,271 ↓ -34%
Noam pleasantness Hebrew 1,273 ↑ +52%
Umar life, long-lived Arabic 1,164 ↑ +78%
Dan he judged Hebrew 1,962 ↓ -9%
Lyam variant of Liam French 1,086 ↑ +31%
Eder beautiful, handsome Basque 1,734 ↑ +7%
Adin delicate, gentle Hebrew 2,766 ↑ +12%
Link ridge, rising ground; also a chain link English 1,579 ↓ -37%
Tyce modern variant of Ty or Tyson American (modern coinage) 2,255 ↓ -34%
Said happy, fortunate Arabic 1,596 ↑ +34%
Izan uncertain; often linked to Ethan Spanish 884 ↑ +80%
Davi Portuguese form of David, 'beloved' Portuguese 1,493 ↑ +17%
Loki uncertain; Norse trickster god Old Norse 1,858 ↓ -37%
Ansh portion, part Sanskrit 2,109 ↓ -28%
Neel blue Sanskrit 1,581 ↑ +30%
Eren saint, holy person Turkish 882 ↑ +358%
Hadi guide, leader Arabic 1,342 ↑ +71%
Glen valley Scottish 2,026 ↑ +37%
Ved sacred knowledge Sanskrit 1,131 ↑ +61%
Obed servant, worshipper Hebrew 2,072 ↑ +6%
Cam short form of Cameron, crooked nose Scottish 1,395 ↑ +44%
Saif sword Arabic 1,320 ↑ +82%
Rafe short form of Ralph, counsel wolf English 1,165 ↑ +156%
Thor thunder Old Norse 2,875 ↓ -49%
Axle variant of Axel, father of peace Scandinavian 1,709 ↓ -26%
Niam modern name, meaning uncertain American (modern coinage) 1,441 ↓ -11%
Zyan modern name, meaning uncertain American (modern coinage) 1,546 ↑ +30%
Lars from Laurentum; form of Lawrence Scandinavian 1,897 → 0%
Amin trustworthy, faithful Arabic 1,603 ↑ +26%
Tye from an English surname, 'enclosure' English 3,306 ↓ -26%
Kirk church Scottish 2,551 ↓ -22%
Vito life Italian 1,507 ↑ +27%
Brad short form of Bradley, 'broad clearing' English 4,267 ↓ -42%
Olin from an English surname, meaning uncertain English 1,849 → -3%
Kory uncertain; from an Irish surname Irish 3,352 ↓ -33%
Taha opening letters of a Quran chapter Arabic 1,598 ↑ +49%
Sire father, lord English 1,475 ↓ -21%
Eros love; Greek god of love Greek 1,324 ↑ +25%
Nile from the river Nile Greek 1,848 → 0%
West west; from an English surname English 1,255 ↑ +96%
Yash fame, glory Sanskrit 2,675 → +2%
Luc from Lucania; French form of Luke French 3,483 ↓ -35%
Judd medieval pet form of Jordan, flowing down English 1,704 ↓ -7%
Krue variant of Crew American (modern coinage) 937 ↑ +132%
Lex short form of Alexander, defender Greek 2,322 ↓ -28%
Fynn variant of Finn, fair Irish 2,192 ↓ -44%

This page shows the most popular names in this list.