Short baby names (4 letters or fewer)
Every name links to its full page: meaning, origin, and its real popularity curve since 1890.
Abby Hebrew · nickname-style short for Abigail, traditionally 'my father's joy'
Abe Hebrew · father of many
Abel Hebrew · traditionally "breath"
Ace Latin · from the playing-card term, ultimately Latin "as" (unit)
Ada Germanic · noble, nobility
Adam Arabic · the first man in the Abrahamic tradition; identical in spelling and pronunciation in Arabic and English, a textbook crossover pick
Adan Hebrew · Spanish form of Adam, "man of the earth"
Aden Irish · variant spelling of Aidan, from Irish 'Aodhan', meaning 'little fire'
Agus Indonesian · common classic name tied to Agustus, the independence month
Aida Arabic · traditionally happy, returning one
Aila Scottish · variant of Isla, from the Scottish river name
Aina Spanish · grace (Catalan/Balearic form of Anna); a light, modern name used well beyond Catalonia and the Balearics
Alan Celtic · handsome, cheerful
Aldo Italian · old, wise; a distinctive old-world classic
Aldo Germanic · from a Germanic root meaning 'old' or 'wise, experienced'
Alec Greek · variant of Alexander, 'defender of the people'
Alex Greek · short form of Alexander, "defender of man"
Ali Arabic · exalted, noble (name of the fourth Islamic caliph, a central figure in Shia Islam)
Alia Arabic · 'exalted, noble, sublime', feminine form of Ali
Alma Latin · "nourishing" or Spanish "soul"
Alp Turkish · hero, brave warrior
Alva Scandinavian · elf (Swedish; from the Old Norse root for supernatural beings)
Amal Arabic · hope (a unisex name that gained international visibility through human-rights lawyer Amal Clooney)
Amar Sanskrit · immortal
Amir Arabic · prince, commander
Amos Hebrew · carried, burden-bearer
Amy French · beloved; the quintessential 1980s-2000s ABC name, indelibly tied to novelist Amy Tan
Amy French · from Amée, "beloved"
An Vietnamese · peace, safety (a crossover-easy unisex name common in both languages)
Ana Spanish · grace; a timeless classic, often used within longer names like Ana Maria
Ana Hebrew · Spanish form of Anna, "grace"
Andi Greek · short form of Andrea, 'manly, brave'
Andy Greek · pet form of Andrew, "manly, brave"
Ane Spanish · grace (Basque form of Ana/Anne); a short, modern pick used Spain-wide, not just in the Basque Country
Ann Hebrew · variant of Hannah, meaning 'grace, favor' in Hebrew
Anna Hebrew · grace, favor
Anne Hebrew · variant of Hannah, meaning 'grace, favor' in Hebrew
Anya Russian · grace
Aoi Japanese · hollyhock, blue-green
Arda Turkish · companion, support; also a river name
Ares Greek · Greek god of war; exact root disputed, possibly linked to Greek 'are' (ruin, bane)
Ari Hebrew · lion; a beloved short classic, often standing on its own
Ari Hebrew · "lion"; also a short form of Ariel/Arianna
Aria Italian · melody, air
Arlo English · modern name of uncertain origin, popularly linked to "fortified hill"
Aron Hebrew · variant spelling of Aaron, traditionally translated as 'exalted' or 'mountain of strength'
Arya Sanskrit · noble (a unisex pick whose popularity got an extra lift from Game of Thrones)
Arya Sanskrit · "noble"
Asa Hebrew · "physician, healer"
Asel Turkish · honey (Turkic origin, trendy in Turkey)
Asha Sanskrit · hope
Aura Greek · breeze, gentle air
Ava Latin · life, bird
Avah Hebrew · variant of Ava; traditionally linked to Eve, 'life'
Avi Hebrew · my father; short form of names like Abraham
Axel Scandinavian · form of Absalom, Hebrew "father of peace"
Axl Scandinavian · variant of Axel, form of Absalom, 'father of peace'
Aya Hebrew · bird; also used as Arabic/Japanese name
Ayah Arabic · means 'sign' or 'miracle' (a verse of the Quran)
Ayan African · traditionally 'gift of God' in Somali; also South Asian usage
Ayla Turkish · traditionally "halo, moonlight"
Ayse Turkish · living, alive (Turkish form of Aisha; Ayşe)
Ayu Indonesian · beautiful
Aziz Arabic · powerful, beloved
Bao Vietnamese · treasure, precious (a trendy modern unisex pick, easy for English speakers)
Bayo Yoruba · short for Adebayo, 'joy meets royalty'
Bayu Indonesian · wind
Bear English · bear animal
Beau French · "handsome"
Beck English · English surname meaning 'stream', from Old Norse bekkr
Ben Hebrew · Hebrew word for 'son'; also short form of Benjamin ('son of the right hand')
Beth Hebrew · short for Elizabeth, 'God is my oath'
Bich Vietnamese · jade green
Bima Indonesian · Mahabharata hero embodying strength and courage
Bimo Indonesian · mighty (variant of Bima)
Bisi Yoruba · increase; born to multiply blessings
Bita Persian · unique, matchless
Bo Cantonese · treasure (寶)
Boaz Hebrew · biblical name meaning 'swiftness' or 'strength'
Bode German · German surname meaning 'messenger'
Bomi Korean · spring beauty
Boon Thai · merit, good deeds (common nickname and prefix)
Bora Korean · purple (a native Korean color word, chosen for the same non-hanja, distinctly-Korean identity reason as Areum)
Boyd Scottish · yellow-haired, blonde
Bria Irish · modern short form of Briana, from Brian meaning noble
Bru Spanish · brown, dark-haired (Catalan form of Bruno); a short modern Catalan crossover pick
Bua Thai · lotus
Budi Indonesian · wisdom, good conduct (the iconic textbook-hero name)
Bảo Vietnamese · treasure, to protect
Cade English · modern short name, possibly from Welsh Cadell "battle"
Cain Hebrew · biblical name, traditionally 'acquired', possibly linked to 'smith'
Cal Latin · short form of Calvin, from Latin 'calvus' meaning 'bald'
Cali English · modern short form, possibly of Calista or the place name
Cara Irish · friend; a warm, simple heritage name
Cara Italian · Italian for 'dear, beloved'; also linked to Irish 'cara', friend
Carl Germanic · means 'free man', from Germanic karl
Case English · occupational surname, a case or box maker
Cash English · money
Cass Cantonese · short, punchy HK-English name
Cauã Portuguese · similar to a falcon (Tupi word, modern trendy)
Cem Turkish · gathering; also the Ottoman prince Cem Sultan
Chad English · meaning uncertain (name of a 7th-century English saint)
Chai Thai · heart; strong (also a common nickname)
Chen Chinese · morning (晨)
Chi Vietnamese · branch, twig
Chun Cantonese · handsome, talented (俊)
Cian Irish · ancient, enduring (mythological figure, father of Lugh)
Clay English · from the earth material 'clay'; English surname and place name
Cleo Greek · glory, pride
Cody Irish · helpful
Cole English · short form of Nicholas/Coleman, or surname
Colt English · young horse
Cora Greek · maiden
Cory Irish · traditionally 'hollow' or 'cauldron', from an Irish Gaelic surname
Coy English · quiet, shy
Crew French · word name meaning 'a group working together', from Old French 'creue'
Cruz Spanish · "cross"
Côme French · order, harmony, universe
Dale English · valley
Dan Hebrew · judge
Which of these fits YOUR family? →