AHEAD: The ultimate list of boys’ names with only 3 letters.
If you’re looking for super short boys’ names, you’re in the right place!
Below, I’ve rounded up every single male 3-letter name that’s even the slightest bit modern and cool.
I’ve also included each name’s meaning and current popularity—which will hopefully help you narrow down your list of favorites.
Feel free to use the Table of Contents to jump to a specific category, or keep on scrolling and view all of these adorable 3-letter boy names.
Related: 3-Letter Girl Names
Popular 3-letter boy names
Kicking off our list with some trendy three-letter names that are currently ranking in the top 250.
Ace
- Name meaning: One, unity, or expert.
- Popularity: #156
Eli
- Name meaning: Uplifted.
- Popularity: #64
Ian
- Name meaning: Scottish version of John, meaning graced by God.
- Popularity: #81
Jax
- Name meaning: God is gracious.
- Popularity: Jax ranks #243 and Jaxx is #918.
Kai or Kye
- Name meaning: Sea.
- Popularity: For boys, Kai ranks #71 and Kye is #889. For girls, Kai is #770.
Leo
- Name meaning: Lion.
- Popularity: #31
Max
- Name meaning: The greatest.
- Popularity: #159
If you like these popular 3-letter boy names you might also like this list of one-syllable boy names.
Cool 3-letter boy names
These short boys’ names are perfect if you want something a little edgy but not too far out there.
Axl
- Name meaning: Father of peace.
- Popularity: Axel ranks #76 and Axl is #845.
Cru or Kru
- Name meaning: Group.
- Popularity: Neither of these names is ranking. Crew ranks #267 and Krew is #625.
Dax
- Name meaning: A town in southwestern France.
- Popularity: #463
Related: French Boy Names
Dex
- Name meaning: Short for Dexter, meaning skillful or right-handed.
- Popularity: This D name isn’t ranking. Dexter ranks #533.
Koa
- Name meaning: Warrior.
- Popularity: #546
Lex
- Name meaning: Short for Alexander, meaning defender.
- Popularity: This 3-letter L name isn’t ranking.
Mac
- Name meaning: Son of.
- Popularity: Mack ranks #470 and Mac is #673.
Noe
- Name meaning: Peaceful.
- Popularity: Noe ranks #800 for boys and isn’t ranking for girls.
Pax
- Name meaning: Peace town.
- Popularity: This 3-letter P name isn’t ranking. Paxton ranks #255.
If you like these cool three-letter boys’ names you might also like this list of edgy names.
Unique 3-letter boy names
If you’re into unusual or exotic 3-letter names, these mini monikers might be for you!
Asa
- Name meaning: Doctor. Healer. Born at dawn.
- Popularity: Asa ranks #496 for boys and is not ranking for girls.
Avi
- Name meaning: Father.
- Popularity: #788
Fox
- Name meaning: Wild animal.
- Popularity: #939
Jad
- Name meaning: Generous. Kind-hearted. Serious.
- Popularity: #979
Neo
- Name meaning: New.
- Popularity: #980
Rex
- Name meaning: King. (Also reminiscent of the dinosaur, Tyrannosaurus rex).
- Popularity: #696
Rio
- Name meaning: River. Rio de Janeiro is a city in Brazil.
- Popularity: #672
Tru
- Name meaning: Accurate or authentic.
- Popularity: Tru ranks #677 for boys and isn’t ranking for girls.
Zen
- Name meaning: Peaceful.
- Popularity: This unusual Z name isn’t ranking.
Zev
- Name meaning: Wolf.
- Popularity: #996
If you like this list of unique 3-letter boy names you might also like this list of hippie names.
Rare 3-letter boy names
If you’re looking for an awesome three-letter baby name that no one else has, these rare monikers are fantastic choices!
Blu
- Name meaning: Color.
- Popularity: This great rainbow baby name isn’t ranking.
Oak
- Name meaning: Large trees with long lifespans.
- Popularity: This tree baby name isn’t ranking.
Tag
- Name meaning: From the acronym “touch and go”.
- Popularity: This 3-letter T name isn’t ranking.
Tex
- Name meaning: A nickname for someone from Texas.
- Popularity: This badass boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Zay
- Name meaning: Invented name.
- Popularity: This baby name isn’t ranking.
If you like these rare 3-letter boy names you might also like this list of southern names.
Timeless 3-letter boy names
These 3-letter baby names for boys have stood the test of time and don’t tend to evoke any particular era.
Ali
- Name meaning: Exalted.
- Popularity: Ali ranks #339 for boys and hasn’t ranked for girls since 2013.
Ari
- Name meaning: Lion.
- Popularity: This nonbinary name ranks #342 for boys and #478 for girls.
Jay
- Name meaning: A bluebird in the crow family.
- Popularity: #377
Kip
- Name meaning: A nickname for Christopher, meaning bearer of Christ.
- Popularity: This 3-letter K name isn’t ranking.
Lee
- Name meaning: Meadow.
- Popularity: #698
Rey
- Name meaning: King.
- Popularity: Rey ranks #762 and Ray is #840.
If you like these timeless 3-letter boy names you might also like this list of names that start with A.
Three-letter names that are usually nicknames
All of these 3-letter boy names are typically used as shortened versions of their longer counterparts. As you’ll see, though, a handful of them are ranking in the top 1000.
Abe
- Name meaning: Father of many.
- Popularity: This name isn’t ranking but Abraham ranks #202.
Art
- Name meaning: Bear-like.
- Popularity: This name isn’t ranking but Arthur ranks #155.
Ben
- Name meaning: Son of my right hand.
- Popularity: Benjamin ranks #7 and Ben is #763.
Cal
- Name meaning: Bald.
- Popularity: Calvin ranks #145 and Cal is #876.
Cam
- Name meaning: Crooked nose.
- Popularity: This C name isn’t ranking but Cameron ranks #62.
Dan
- Name meaning: God is my judge.
- Popularity: This name isn’t ranking but Daniel ranks #16.
Joe
- Name meaning: Jehovah increases.
- Popularity: Joseph ranks #28, Joe is #799, and Joey is #916.
Jon
- Name meaning: Graced by God.
- Popularity: John ranks #27, Jon is #843, and Johnny is #436.
Rob
- Name meaning: Bright fame. Shining with glory.
- Popularity: This R name isn’t ranking but Robert ranks #79.
Rod
- Name meaning: Short for Roderick or Rodney meaning famous ruler and Hroda’s island, respectively.
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking but Rodney ranks #965.
Sal
- Name meaning: Savior
- Popularity: This S name isn’t ranking but Salvador ranks #727 and Salvatore is #941.
Sam
- Name meaning: Name of God or God heard.
- Popularity: Samuel ranks #23 and Sam is #657.
Vic
- Name meaning: Conquerer. Winner.
- Popularity: This V name isn’t ranking but Victor ranks #209.
Wes
- Name meaning: Western meadow.
- Popularity: Wesley ranks #84 and Wes is #865.
Zac
- Name meaning: God has remembered.
- Popularity: This baby name isn’t ranking but Zachary ranks #144.
If you like these baby names for boys you might also like this list of 2-syllable boy names or these 3-syllable boy names.
Names that are past their prime
IMHO, even though they’re ranking in the top 1000, the following names have seen better days.
Bob
- Name meaning: Bright fame. Shining with glory.
- Popularity: This B name isn’t ranking but the German name Robert ranks #79.
Ira
- Name meaning: Watchful.
- Popularity: #810
Jim
- Name meaning: One who follows.
- Popularity: This J name isn’t ranking but James ranks #5.
Pat
- Name meaning: Nobleman or ruler.
- Popularity: This name isn’t ranking but Patrick ranks #214.
Roy
- Name meaning: King or red.
- Popularity: #551
Sid
- Name meaning: Wide water meadow. French place name, St. Denis.
- Popularity: This name isn’t ranking. Neither is its longer form, Sidney.
Tim
- Name meaning: Honoring God.
- Popularity: This name isn’t ranking but Timothy ranks #201.
Tom
- Name meaning: Twin.
- Popularity: This name isn’t ranking but Thomas ranks #46.
Van
- Name meaning: Of.
- Popularity: #873
Did you find the perfect 3-letter name on this list? If you’re still searching for the perfect moniker, check out these lists below…
Final thoughts on three-letter baby names for boys
Hopefully, you’ve found a few lead contenders on this list, or at least come away with some baby name inspiration.
Whether you prefer a name that’s popular, unique, rare, or timeless, all of these 3-letter boy names are great choices.
Congratulations and good luck choosing the perfect name for your son!
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