If you love short, sweet and simple yet powerful names, then here are 250 3 letter boy names.
These are short names, but they pack a lot of style, personality, and character.
Whether you’re after a traditional name, something exotic, or something truly unique, there is no end to the options for 3 letter names. From old school favorites like Max, Sam, or Leo, to rare ones like Zed, Kai, or Jax, there’s a style and a personality.
Check out this hand-selected 250 three letter boy names and you might end up with a name that sounds like it was designed for your baby.
So, let’s get into it and discover the tiny but mighty ones to give you ideas!
Cool Three Letter Boy Names
- Ivo – (German) Yew wood, Archer
- Lev – (Hebrew, Russian) Heart, Lion
- Zev – (Hebrew) Wolf
- Ben – (Hebrew) Son of
- Art – (Irish) Noble one, Bear man, Champion
- Job – (Hebrew) Persecuted
- Rio – (Japanese) Place of the cherry blossoms
- Obi – (African, Igbo) Heart
- Kip – (British) Pointed hill
- Uri – (Hebrew) My flame, My light
- Ian – (Scottish) The Lord is gracious
- Zeb – (Hebrew) Gift of Jehovah, Dwelling of honor
- Rip – (Dutch) Might
- Rui – (Portuguese) Famous ruler
- Tom – (Aramaic) Twin
- Ray – (German, English) King, Roe, Advice, Ray of light
- Kai – (Hawaiian) Sea
- Jed – (Hebrew) Beloved of God
- Dex – (Latin) Dyer, Right-handed, Dexterous, Skilled
- Ren – (Japanese) Water lily, Lotus
- Luc – (French) Man from Lucania
- Zac – (Hebrew) The Lord has remembered
- Sol – (Hebrew, Spanish, Portuguese, Norse) Prayed for, Sun
- Cas – (Persian, Greek, Irish) Master of the treasure, Shining upon man, Curly haired
- Jeb – (Hebrew) Beloved friend
- Max – (Latin) Greatest
- Lee – (English) Pasture, Meadow
- Ira – (Hebrew, Russian, Greek) Watchful one, Peace
- Zed – (Hebrew) The Lord is just
Classic 3 Letter Boy Names
- Baz – (Irish, Greek, Arabic) Fair haired, Royal, Falcon
- Axl – (Scandinavian) Father of peace
- Lum – (English, Latin) Dove
- Vin – (Latin) Conquering
- Del – (French, German, English) Of the, Noble kind, Small valley
- Tad – (Aramaic) Gift of God
- Irl – (British) Nobleman, Warrior, Prince
- Dov – (Hebrew) Bear
- Lye – (Hebrew) Yahweh is God
- Yul – (Mongolian, English, Latin) Beyond the horizon, Youthful, Downy-bearded
- Jay – (Latin) Jaybird
- Pio – (Latin) Pious
- Fin – (Irish) Fair, From Finland
- Dez – (Irish) Of Desmond, South Munster
- Lon – (Spanish, German) Noble, ready
- Sly – (Latin) Wooded, Skillful, Crafty, Cunning
- Ham – (Hebrew, Egyptian) Hot, Majesty
- Sim – (Scottish) The listener
- Dix – (Latin) Tenth
- Les – (Scottish) Holly garden, From Leicester
- Abe – (Hebrew) Father Of Many
- Irv – (Gaelic, Welsh, Scottish) Green water, Handsome, Fair of face
- Dob – (English) Bright fame
- Mal – (Latin, Scottish) Bad, Devoted to St Columbia
Cute Three Letter Boy Names
- Mac – (Scottish, Irish) Son of
- Kit – (English) Pure
- Teo – (Spanish) Gift of God, Divine gift
- Hal – (German) Home leader
- Ned – (English) Wealthy guardian
- Dax – (French) Leader
- Ike – (Hebrew) Laughter
- Wes – (British) Western meadow
- Ari – (Hebrew) Lion of God
- Seb – (Egyptian) God of the earth
- Gil – (Hebrew) Happiness
- Dom – (Latin) Belonging to the Lord
- Ali – (Hebrew, Arabic) Supreme, Exalted
- Asa – (Hebrew, Japanese, Scandinavian) Healer, Morning, Of the gods
- Ash – (English) Ash tree
- Tim – (Greek) Honoring God
- Sam – (American, Hebrew) Told by God, Sun man
- Moe – (Hebrew) Delivered
- Pip – (English) Lover of horses
- Gus – (Latin) Majestic, Exalted, Of Augustus
- Poe – (English) Peacock
- Eli – (Hebrew) Ascended, Uplifted, High
- Pim – (Dutch) Resolute protection
- Ace – (Latin) One, Someone who excels, Highest rank
- Win – (Welsh, English) Fair, Blessed, To be successful or victorious
- Jax – (English, Hebrew) Supplanter, Holder of the Heel, God is gracious
- Cal – (Hebrew) Faithful, Whole-hearted, Brave
- Oak – (British) Oak, Oak tree
- Cam – (Scottish) Crooked nose
Unique 3 Letter Boy Names
- Geo – (Greek) Earth
- Zvi – (Hebrew) Deer
- Nir – (Hebrew) Plowed field
- Tor – (Norse, Hebrew) Thunder, Turtledove
- Len – (German) Lion strength
- Ark – (English) the ship built by Noah to save his family and every animal from the Flood
- Zio – (Italian) Uncle
- Ugo – (Italian) Mind, Heart, Spirit
- Gad – (Hebrew) Fortune
- Ran – (German, Japanese) Wolf shield, Orchid
- Tay – (English) Tailor
- Gru – (English) Crane
- Sal – (Latin) Savior
- Zay – (Modern) Abundance, Growth
- Buz – (Hebrew) Contempt
- Hew – (German) Soul, Mind, Intellect
- Gib – (French) Bright promise
- Ole – (Norse) Ancestor’s descendant
- Per – (Greek) Rock
- Koi – (Japanese) Carp
- Foy – (French) Faith
One Syllable 3 Letter Boy Names
- Rem – (English) Place on a riverbank
- Aro – (Finnish, Hebrew) Short form of Aron, Mountain of strength
- Nye – (Welsh) Honor
- Ged – (Hebrew, German) Luck, Spear strength
- Arc – (English) Part of a curve, Electrical discharge between 2 electrodes
- Raf – (Hebrew) God who heals
- Eri – (Irish, Japanese) My awake one, Loving reason, Hometown, Blessing, Pear
- Obe – (African, Igbo) Heart
- Jin – (Japanese, Chinese) Tenderness, Gentleness, Gold
- Oro – (Spanish) Gold
- Uzi – (Hebrew) Jehovah is my strength
- Ryo – (Japanese) Fact, Reality, Dragon, Excellent
- Ozi – (Hebrew) Strength, Powerful, Courageous
- Kal – (Hebrew) Whole hearted, Devotion, Dog, Dove
- Lin – (Chinese) Forest
- Reo – (Mexican) River
- Gui – (Spanish, German) Resolute protection
- Raz – (Hebrew) The Lord’s secret
- Ved – (Sanskrit) Sacred knowledge
- Iku – (Japanese) Nourishing
- Isi – (Choctaw) Deer
- Kir – (Russian, Persian) Sun
- Zak – (Hebrew The Lord has remembered
- Udo – (Igbo) Peace
- Lem – (Hebrew) Devoted to God
- Nas – (Spanish) Fiery
Three Letter Nicknames for Boys
- Don – (Scottish) Proud chief
- Bob – (English) Bright fame
- Von – (Norse) Hope
- Dre – (Variation of Andre) Man
- Jim – (English) Supplanter
- Mel – (English, Latin, Greek) Black, Dark, Bee
- Cap – (French) Chaplain
- Bud – (Scottish, American, English) Old Man, Brother, Friend, Sprouting plant
- Sax – (German) People of the dagger
- Roe – (English, Irish, Norse) Deer, Red, Clearing
- Jip – (Frisian, Dutch) Shining pledge
- Wil – (Germanic) Will
- Hob – (English) Bright fame
- Pal – (Latin, Sanskrit) Small, Little one, Protector
- Tre – (British) Three
- Rod – (British) Of Roderick, Famous power
- Cob – (Hebrew) He who supplants
- Coz – (Greek) World, Order
- Stu – (British) Household guardian
Modern 3 Letter Boy Names
- Rey – (Spanish) King
- Rai – (Japanese) Next child
- Leo – (Latin) Lion
- Koa – (Hawaiian) Warrior
- Avi – (Hebrew) Father
- Jai – (English) Bluebird
- Rob – (English) Bright fame
- Ryu – (Japanese) Dragon
- Noe – (Hebrew) Rest, Repose, Peaceful
- Jet – (British, Dutch) Black stone, Home ruler
- Min – (Chinese) Quick
- Boe – (Scandinavian, French, Norse) To live, Farm, Settled farmer, Handsome
- Wye – (British) War strength
- Coy – (French, English, Irish) Calm, Taciturn, Clever
- Cru – (French) A high-quality vineyard, Weir
- Pei – (Chinese) Abundant, Nourish, Match, Admire
- Rik – (German) Strong ruler
- Den – (Greek) Son of Dennis, Follower of Dionysius
- Tru – (English) True
- Jad – (Arabic) Serious
- Wyn – (Welsh) Fair, Pure, Blessed, Holy
- Kye – (Welsh, American) Keeper of the keys, Sea, Ocean
- Joe – (Hebrew) God will add
Whimsical 3 Letter Boy Names
- Tyr – (Norse) God, Deity
- Lir – (Irish) Sea
- Ram – (Arabic, Sanskrit) Archer, Pleasing
- Dag – (Scandinavian) Daylight
- Uku – (Cherokee) Chief
- Ion – (Greek) To go, going
- Evo – (French) Yew
- Oba – (Nigerian) Ruler, River goddess
- Con – (English) Steadfastness
- Pan – (Greek, French) Protect, Shepherd
- Nix – (Greek) Night
- Alf – (English) Elf counsel
- Ron – (Scottish) Mountain of strength, Ruler’s counselor
- Elm – (British, German) Elm tree, Helmet, Noble and famous
- Orm – (Danish, Swedish) Serpent, Snake
- Jae – (British, Korean) Blue crested bird, Talent, Ability, Wealth, Riches
- Fen – (English, Dutch, Frisian) Marshland, Peace
Strong Three Letter Boy Names
- Guy – (French) Guide, Leader
- Bix – (Invented) Nickname of Bix (Bismark) Beiderbecke
- Pax – (Latin) Peace
- Bas – (Dutch) Person from the city of Sebastia
- Ziv – (Hebrew) Brilliance
- Jex – (English) From Jacques, Supplanter
- Neo – (Latin, Tswana) New, Gift
- Lex – (Greek) Man’s defender, Protect, Help
- Rye – (English, British) Cavalryman, Messenger
- Hux – (German) Hook, Of Hugh, Mind, Soul
- Wim – (Dutch, German) Resolute protector
- Rad – (English) Advisor
- Ulf – (Scandinavian) Wolf
- Alp – (Turkish) Hero
- Syd – (French) Saint-Denis
- Kaz – (Slavic, Japanese) Hollow, Child of peace, Harmony
- Cub – (English) Young lion, Cub, Fox
- Vuk – (Serbian) Wolf
- Nat – (Hebrew, Latin) Gift of God, Born on Christmas
- Roc – (Arabic, Catalan) Rest
- Ayo – (Yoruba, Nigerian) Joy
- Van – (British) Marsh
- Xan – (Greek) Defending men
Exotic Three Letter Boy Names
- Ted – (Greek) Gift of god, Wealth, Fortune
- Jon – (French, Hebrew) God is gracious, God has given
- Lio – (Latin) Lion
- Rom – (Hebrew) High, lofty
- Tai – (Chinese) Great extreme
- Taj – (Arabic) Crown
- Ori – (Hebrew, Italian, Nigerian, Norse) My light, Golden, Head, Raving one
- Edi – (British) Of Edward; Of Edith; Guardian
- Ido – (Hebrew, Arabic) To evaporate, To be mighty
- Dan – (Hebrew) God is my judge
- Val – (Latin) Valiant, Healthy, From the valley
- Zan – (Chinese) Support, Comfort
- Vid – (Slavic, Latin) Life
- Wit – (English) Understanding, Intellect
- Iwo – (French) Yew
- Bow – (French) Beautiful, To live, Blond
- Vas – (Greek) Royal
- Dic – (German) Dominant ruler
- Ura – (Latin) Of the city
- Vit – (Latin) Life
- Niv – (Hebrew) Speech, Figure of speech, Expression
- Roy – (Scottish) Red
- Oli – (Latin, Norse) Olive tree, Ancestor’s descendant, Inheritance, All aware, All guard
- Vic – (Latin) Champion, victor; Conqueror
Celebrity Inspired 3 Letter Boy Names
- Rza – (Invented) Ruler, Zi-Zag-Zig, Allah
- Sir – (British) Honorable masculine title
- Doc – (American) Doctor
- Fox – (English) Fox, a bushy tailed wild animal
- Gio – (Italan) God’s gracious gift
- Jru – (Greek, Welsh) Of Drew, Wise, Courageous, Warrior
- Rex – (Latin) King
- Zen – (Japanese) Meditation
- Zai – (Arabic) Fortunate, Prosperous
- Row – (Irish, Scottish, Welsh) Little redhead, Rowan tree, Famous friend, White spear
- Blu – (English) Blue, Blue-colored
- Raj – (Sanskrit) King
- Cai – (Vietnamese) Feminine
- Sid – (English, French) Wide island, Saint-Denis
- Red – (British, Scottish) Red in color, Clearing, River reed
- Tao – (Chinese) Large waves, Way, Long life
- Zot – (Invented) Middle name of Lara Bingle & Sam Worthington’s son
- Tex – (American) From Texas
Unisex 3 Letter Baby Names
- Dai – (Japanese) To shine
- Tui – (Uncertain) King
- Axe – (British, Hebrew) Instrument for chopping wood, A battle weapon, My father is peace
- Fio – (Italian) Flowering, Little flower
- Bao – (Chinese) Treasure, Jewel
- Han – (Scandinavian) God is gracious
- Dru – (Greek, Welsh, French) Man, Warrior, Wise, Loved one
- Ade – (Yoruba) Crown
- Kei – (Japanese) Blessing, Excellent, Respect, Wise, Jewel
- Nik – (Greek) People of victory
- Ive – (Cornish) Yew
- Tal – (Hebrew) Rain, dew
- Coe – (English) Jackdaw
- Kam – (Dutch, Scottish) Comb, Brewery
- Ain – (Arabic) Eye, Precious
- Kaj – (Danish, Greek, Latin) Earth, Keeper of the earth, Pure, Rejoice
- Enu – (African, Akan) Fifth born child
- Yon – (French, Korean, Hebrew) God has favored me, Lotus blossom, Dove
- Mat – (Hebrew) Gift of God
- Bar – (Scottish, Irish) Poet, One who sings ballads
- Jey – (Latin, Sanskrit, Hebrew) Blue-crested bird, Victory, Healer, One who supplants
- Yao – (Ewe) Born on Thursday
- Ely – (Hebrew) High
Wrap Up
There you go—250 wonderful three-letter boy names with plenty of personality and cuteness!
Whether you’re looking for the classics or something new to give your baby a personality, tthis list is inspiring for those parents who are in need of a bit of simplicity.
I’d love to hear from you- what names from this list made you fall in love? Are you going for an old favorite or something a little more out of the ordinary?
Keep the conversation going — share your favorite in the comments!
And happy naming!
