These three letter boy names are perfect if you want a short boy name. From common names like Tom and Joe, to unique names like Axl and Kai, you’ll find the best 3-letter baby boy names on this list!
When finding the perfect name, many parents want something short and easy to spell. With only three letters in each of these boy names, you’ll find exactly that!
Short, handsome, and easy to say and spell, these boy names are exactly what you’re looking for! Whether you want something unique, or something more popular, you’ll find both on this list.
75+ Three letter boy names
Abe
Hebrew, “father of multitude”
Whether it’s short for Abraham, or used by itself, Abe is a strong three letter boy name!
Ace
Latin, “one”
Ace is easy to say, spell, and write. It’s a great unique short boy name!
Ali
Arabic, “high, elevated”
Whether you’re thinking of famous boxer Muhammad Ali, or Prince Ali from Aladdin, this name evokes feelings of power and strength.
Ari
Hebrew, “lion”
Ari is a handsome three letter boy name that is perfect for your son!
Asa
Hebrew, “healer” and Japanese, “morning”
The name Asa has been growing in popularity! It’s popular among parents that want a handsome short boy name. It’s also a palindrome, reading the same both forwards and backwards.
Ash
English, “of the ash tree”
Ash is a great gender neutral baby name. It’s a strong name for either a boy or girl! Ash is often short for the trendy boy name Asher.
Axe
Hebrew, “father is peace”
Axe is a very handsome 3 letter boy name! It can also be spelled Ax and is a derivative of the name Axel.
Axl
Hebrew, “father is peace”
Also derived from the name Axel, this edgy boy name is a standout for sure!
Ben
Hebrew, “son of”
This name can be short for Benjamin, Bennett, Bentley or Benedict, though it stands proud all by itself, too! Ben is one of the more common boy names on this list.
Bud
American, “friend”
You may have called your friends or family “bud” before, but it also makes for a unique three letter boy name!
Cal
Hebrew, “devotion”
The name Cal is strong and masculine! It can be used as a nickname for names like Calvin or Calum, but it also works great as a first name.
Cam
Gaelic, “crooked nose”
The name Cam is strong and perfect as a gender neutral baby name.
Cru
Spanish, “to cross over”
This unique three letter boy name is a variation of the name Cruz.
Dan
Hebrew, “God is my judge”
One of the more common three letter boy names, Dan is often short for Daniel.
Dax
French, “leader”
Strong and masculine, the name Dax would be perfect for your boy!
Dev
Indian, “God”
Dev is a very unique three letter boy name. While it can be short for Devin, the name Dev also can stand alone.
Dom
Latin, “belonging to the Lord”
The name Dom is often used as a nickname, but don’t be afraid to use it by itself!
Don
English, “world leader”
With such a strong and powerful meaning, the name Don is a great three letter boy name for your son.
Edi
Hebrew, “my witness”
The name Edi can be used for either boys or girls, making it a great unisex three letter name.
Eli
Hebrew, “ascending”
Eli is a biblical 3 letter boy name that is rising in popularity. It is often short for Elijah or Elias.
Fin
Gaelic, “from Finland”
Fin is a strong boy name, and is a rare name in the United States.
Fox
English, “fox, animal”
The name Fox comes from its animal counterpart. It’s a great boho boy name!
Hal
English, “Army ruler”
Hal is often short for Henry or Harold, though it can be used as a first name, too.
Ian
Scottish, “God is gracious”
Ian is one of the more well-known three letter boy names.
Ike
American, “laugh”
While this name may make you think of the popular candy Mike and Ike, it’s actually a common nickname for Isaac.
Ira
Hebrew, “full grown”
Pronounced “eye-ra,” this boy name is uncommon and unique.
Jad
Arabic, “generous”
The name Jad is very rare in the United States and is pronounced “jahd.”
Jax
English, “God is gracious”
Jax has been rising in popularity as a more unique version of the name Jack or Jacques.
Jay
Latin, “jaybird”
While commonly used as a nickname for names like Johnathan and Jason, the name Jay is also a strong three letter boy name.
Jed
American, “friend of God”
Jed is often a shortened version of Jedidiah. However, Jed is also a unique boy name all by itself.
Jem
Hebrew, “he who supplants”
While this name is often short for Jeremiah or James, you may also recognize it from Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird.” Jem can be used for either boys or girls.
Jet
English, “black”
This name is pretty new to the scene, but is rising quickly in popularity. If you love unique 3 letter boy names, Jet might make the top of your list!
Jim
English, “supplanter”
Jim can be short for James, or can be used as a first name by itself.
Joe
English, “God will increase”
One of the more common names on this list, Joe is a popular boy name as a shortened form of Joseph.
Jon
Hebrew, “God is gracious”
A more modern version of the name John.
Kai
Japanese, “ocean”
Kai is a unisex three letter name that would be perfect for either a son or daughter.
Kit
Greek, “bearing Christ”
Kit is another name that is gender neutral. The name Kit has become more popular since Game of Thrones actor Kit Harrington came into the spotlight.
Koa
Hawaiian, “warrior”
Koa is a strong three letter boy name for your son.
Kye
Gaelic, “straight and narrow”
A more phonetic version of Kai, this name has been climbing the popularity charts.
Lee
American, “meadow”
Lee is a great name for parents that want an underused baby name, but not one that is unheard of.
Leo
Latin, “lion“
Though it is often used as a nickname for Leonardo, the name Leo works great as a first name, too. The name Leo has been climbing the popularity charts over the past few years.
Les
English, “short version of Lester”
Les is a great three letter gender neutral baby name. It can also be a short version of Leslie or Lester.
Lex
Greek, “man’s defender”
This strong three letter boy name can also be used for girls.
Lon
Spanish, “noble”
Lon is popular among parents that want a unique three letter male name.
Mac
Irish and Scottish, “son of”
While Mac is often a prefix for common surnames (think MacDonald or MacKenzie), it’s also a unique boy name! Mac is a spruced up version of Max or Matt.
Max
Latin, “greatest”
Max is a great boy name, and is often used as a nickname for Maximus, Maxwell or Maximillian.
Moe
Latin, “to love”
The name Moe might make you think of the Three Stooges, but it’s also a rare boy name.
Nat
Hebrew, “gift of God”
Derived from Nathan or Nathaniel, the name Nat is also a strong three letter boy name all by itself.
Ned
English, “wealthy guardian”
Ned is one of the more uncommon three letter boy names on this list.
Nic/Nik
Greek, “people of victory”
With only three letters, the name Nic or Nik is a trendier version of the common name Nick or Nicholas.
Noe
Hebrew, “peaceful”
The name Noe can be used for either boys or girls. It’s a very nontraditional 3 letter boy name!
Oli
Latin, “olive tree”
Pronounced “ah-lee”, this baby name is often short for Oliver.
Pat
English, “noble”
Pat is an old-fashioned gender neutral baby name. It is often short for Patrick.
Pax
Latin, “peaceful”
The name Pax one of the more trendy 3 letter boy names on this list. Pax is often used as a nickname for Paxton.
Raj
Sanskrit, “king”
This name is related to the name Rajan, but it can also be used by itself.
Ray
English, “protector”
The name Ray was very popular in the early 1900s, and is considered to be an uncommon baby name choice in 2020.
Rex
Latin, “king“
The name Rex was fairly common in the 1940s, but hasn’t been used much in the past 30 years. Rex is a great name for people that want a unique three letter boy name.
Rey
Spanish, “king”
Pronounced “ray,” this boy name is very unusual.
Rob
English, “bright fame”
This boy name is often short for Robert. There are many famous people named Rob, including actor Rob Lowe and musician Rob Thomas.
Rod
English, “island of reeds”
Rod is a very rare three letter boy name in 2020. It has not been on the United States top 1000 baby names list since 1975!
Ron
English, “counsel rule”
While the name Ron is a common nickname for Ronald, it can also be a first name.
Roy
Scottish, “red”
The name Roy is more common than you think! It ranked 564 in 2019 on the United States list of most popular baby names.
Sal
Latin, “savior”
The name Sal is the perfect masculine three letter boy name!
Sam
Hebrew, “God has heard”
Sam is one of the more common three letter boy names on this list. It can be used for either a boy or girl baby, and is often short for Samuel or Samantha.
Sid
English, “meadow”
Sid is a very edgy three letter boy name. It’s perfect if you envision a little spunk in your little man!
Tad
Multiple origins
Tad is a very rare three letter boy name! It can be a nickname for Theodore, Thaddeus, or even Thomas.
Tan
English, “leather maker”
Related to the name Tanner, the name Tan is perfect as a trendier three letter boy name.
Tim
Greek, “honoring God”
Short for Timothy, this is a very common male name in the United States.
Tom
Greek, “twin”
Short for Thomas, this name is very popular in the United States.
Tru
American
This gender neutral baby name has been booming in popularity since reality start Khloe Kardashian named her daughter “True.”
Ty
American, “Land of Eoghan”
Ty is an edgy and trendy boy name, perfect for your future Rock Star!
Uzi
Hebrew, “Jehovah is my strength”
You may have never heard this three letter boy name before, it’s very rare!
Val
Latin, “valiant”
The name Val is a gender neutral baby name. It is often short for Valentino or Valentine.
Van
Dutch, “of”
Van is a very rare three letter boy name! It’s great for parents that want a non-traditional name.
Wes
English, “western meadow”
Often short for Wesley or Weston, you may hear Wes more as a nickname than as a first name.
Wyn
Welsh, “fair”
Wyn is the perfect name choice if you want a rare baby name that you may have never heard of before!
Zac/Zak
Hebrew, “remembrance of God”
Zac (or Zak) is a spunky three letter boy name. It’s a very masculine three letter boy name!
Common three letter boy names
These are the most common boy names from the list above.
- Tim
- Tom
- Sam
- Joe
- Jim
- Ben
- Max
- Pat
- Eli
- Jay
Rare and unique three letter boy names
These are some of the more uncommon three letter names from this list.
- Rey
- Pax
- Uzi
- Wyn
- Noe
- Kai
- Kit
- Koa
- Raj
- Axl
- Asa
Why choose a 3 letter baby boy name?
Choosing a short baby name is a great choice for parents seeking simplicity and modernity. Short names are often easier to pronounce and remember. Whether it’s introducing themselves in school or networking in their future career, your child’s name will be memorable and easy to say and remember if it is just 3 letters.
Short names also tend to pair well with various middle and last names. A short name can often transcend cultural and linguistic barriers, making them a perfect fit for families with diverse backgrounds or those who plan to live in different regions or countries.
In today’s fast-paced society, three letter boy names names align with the trend of minimalism and efficiency. They are sleek, stylish, and effortlessly chic, reflecting a contemporary aesthetic that appeals to many modern-day parents. Short names often carry a timeless quality, ensuring that they remain fashionable and relevant regardless of changing trends or societal shifts.
Which of these names fit your list?
From spunky to charming, trendy to common, this list of names had it all.
Make sure to follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest for more baby name ideas!
