86 Short Baby Names: 3-Letter and 4-Letter Names for Girls, Boys and Unisex

Short names are easy to spell, easy to say and hard to shorten into a nickname you didn’t choose. They also pair well with long last names and with longer middle names.

Here are 86 short baby names with three or four letters, sorted into girls’ names, boys’ names and unisex picks. Every name includes its meaning and origin. You’ll also find tips on pairing a short first name with your last name and middle name.

Why Parents Choose Short Baby Names

A short name tends to feel clean and confident. Many of the most familiar names in the U.S. are short: for babies born in 2025, Liam was the No. 1 boys’ name and Noah was No. 2, and Mia was the No. 6 girls’ name, according to the Social Security Administration.

Short names also work across languages and generations. Names like Eve, Ada, Ben and Sam have been used for centuries, while names like Kai and Rio feel more modern. Many short names are already nicknames, so what you name your child is likely what everyone will call them.

3-Letter Girl Names

Three-letter girls’ names are sweet and simple. Ava, Mia and Zoe are well known, while Ada, Ida and Una have a vintage charm. Eve and Zoe both carry the meaning of life.

Ava is one of the best-known short girls’ names, but its origin is uncertain. It may come from the Latin word for bird or from an old Germanic name. Bea and Liv are often used as nicknames, yet both stand well on their own.

3-Letter Boy Names

Three-letter boys’ names are crisp and strong. Leo, Eli and Max feel modern, while Abe, Ben and Sam have been around for generations. Several are short forms of longer classics.

Tom comes from Thomas, which means twin in Aramaic. Rex is the Latin word for king, and Asa, a Hebrew name meaning healer, appears in the Bible. If you want a short name with a longer formal option, Gus (Augustus) and Abe (Abraham) give your child both.

4-Letter Girl Names

Four-letter girls’ names offer a little more variety. Emma, Luna and Nora are familiar picks, while Opal, Thea and Gwen bring a fresh, slightly vintage feel. Many of these are nature names, like Rose, Lily, Iris and Ruby.

Emma ranked No. 3 for girls born in 2025, so you may meet a few Emmas in your child’s class. For something less common, try Esme, Gwen or Opal. Ella is often said to come from a Germanic word meaning all, but it is also used as a short form of Eleanor and other longer names.

4-Letter Boy Names

Four-letter boys’ names include some of today’s most familiar choices, such as Liam and Noah, along with timeless names like Luke, Jack and Joel. Hebrew names are especially common in this group.

Levi, Ezra and Jude have biblical roots, while Otto and Hugo come from old Germanic names. Axel is a Scandinavian form of Absalom, which means father of peace. Kian, from the Irish Cian, is a good pick if you want something short and less expected.

Short Unisex Names

Short unisex names work for any child and often come from nature, word names or nicknames. Many of the names below have three or four letters and feel equally at home for girls and boys.

Ari, Remy and Rory are popular short choices for both girls and boys. Wren, Sage and Ash come from nature, and Noel and Eden carry special meaning for many families. For more names that work for any gender, browse our full list of gender-neutral baby names.

Tips for Choosing a Short Baby Name

• Balance it with your last name. A short first name pairs nicely with a long last name. If your last name is also short, a longer middle name can add rhythm.
• Use the middle name for length. A short first name like Eve or Max sounds polished with a middle name like Josephine or Alexander.
• Decide on nickname or full name. Some short names are nicknames for longer names. You can use the short version on the birth certificate or choose the longer name and use the short one day to day.
• Check the sounds where names meet. Short names ending in a vowel, like Ava or Mia, may run into last names that start with a vowel.
• Say it many ways. Call it across a room, say it with your last name, and imagine it on a diploma.

Tip: Short names can be common. If you want a short name that feels more distinctive, check how often it is used on the SSA baby names website before you decide.

Picking a Short Name With Staying Power

A short name can be simple, strong and easy to live with at every age. Whether you choose a three-letter classic like Eve or Ben, or a four-letter favorite like Nora or Hugo, think about how it will sound with your last name and the middle name you choose.

For more ideas, see our guide to middle names for girls and boys, browse our baby names with beautiful meanings, or look through our classic baby names for timeless options.

Emma Carter

Hello! I’m Emma Carter, born in 1990, and a passionate child development specialist. Alongside my work, I have a deep love for helping parents discover beautiful and meaningful baby names. I believe a name is more than just a label — it’s the beginning of a child’s story. I draw inspiration from languages, cultures, traditions, and even the hidden meanings behind names to help find the perfect fit for every little one’s bright future.