Popular 3 letter boy names

Table of Contents

Find Unique and nature inspired 3 letter boy names

Picking the right name for your baby is a big decision, and if you love nature, a 3-letter boy name inspired by the world around us could be just what you’re looking for. These short names are easy to remember and have deep meanings that connect to nature.

In this list, we’ve gathered a mix of unique and nature-inspired 3-letter boy names. Each name includes helpful details like its meaning, origin, pronunciation, regional popularity, and even famous namesakes. This will make it easier for you to choose a name that feels perfect for your little one.

Here is the list of 3 letter boy names

Name

Meaning

Origin

Pronunciation

Regional Popularity

Famous Namesake

Ben

Son of the right hand

Hebrew

BEN

Popular in the U.S., U.K., Germany

Ben Affleck (Actor)

Tom

Twin

Aramaic

TAHM

Common in the U.S., France, and Israel

Tom Cruise (Actor)

Sam

God has heard

Hebrew

SAM

Highly used in the U.S., Canada, and Australia

Sam Smith (Singer)

Jim

Supplanter

Hebrew

JIM

Classic in the U.S., U.K., and Scotland

Jim Carrey (Actor)

Jax

God is gracious

English

JAKS

Trending in the U.S. and Australia

Jax (Mortal Kombat character)

Zay

Modern trendy name

Unknown

ZAY

Unique in the U.S. and U.K.

Zay Jones (NFL Player)

Kai

Sea or victory

Hawaiian/Japanese

KAI (rhymes with "eye")

Very popular in Germany, the U.K., and the U.S.

Kai Havertz (Footballer)

Leo

Lion

Latin

LEE-oh

Popular in Europe, the U.S., and Argentina

Leonardo DiCaprio (Actor)

Rio

River

Spanish/Portuguese

REE-oh

Common in Spain, Brazil, and Japan

Rio Ferdinand (Footballer)

Ali

Exalted, noble

Arabic

AH-lee

Extremely popular in the Middle East, Turkey, and South Asia

Muhammad Ali (Boxer)

Ira

Watchful / Earth

Hebrew/Sanskrit

EYE-rah

Used in the U.S., India, and Israel

Ira Gershwin (Lyricist)

Asa

Healer, physician

Hebrew

AY-suh

Common in the U.S., Japan, and Sweden

Asa Butterfield (Actor)

Max

Greatest

Latin

MAKS

Very popular in the U.S., Germany, and Australia

Max Verstappen (F1 Racer)

Rex

King

Latin

REKS

Common in the U.K., U.S., and Australia

Rex Harrison (Actor)

Gus

Great, majestic

Latin/Greek

GUSS

Popular in Scotland, the U.S., and Sweden

Gus Van Sant (Filmmaker)

Jed

Beloved of God

Hebrew

JED

Used in the U.S., Australia, and Israel

Jed Mercurio (Writer)

Dex

Skilled, right-handed

Latin

DEKS

Gaining popularity in the U.S. and U.K.

Dexter "Dex" Fowler (MLB Player)

Baz

Royal, kingly

Greek

BAZZ

Popular in Australia and the U.K.

Baz Luhrmann (Director)

Zeb

Gift of God

Hebrew

ZEHB

Rare but used in the U.S. and Israel

Zebulon Pike (Explorer)

Neo

New, gift

Greek

NEE-oh

Popular in South Africa and the U.S.

Neo (The Matrix, Movie Character)

Eli

Ascended, uplifted

Hebrew

EE-lie

Popular in the U.S., Israel, and France

Eli Manning (NFL Player)

Roy

King

French/Scottish

ROI

Common in Scotland, U.S., and India

Roy Orbison (Singer)

Ari

Lion, brave

Hebrew

AH-ree

Popular in Israel, U.S., and Nordic countries

Ari Gold (Entourage Character)

Len

Brave lion

German

LEN

Classic in the U.K. and Germany

Len Goodman (TV Judge)

Tod

Fox

German

TODD

Used in the U.S. and U.K.

Tod Browning (Director)

Lou

Renowned warrior

German/French

LOO

Common in the U.S. and France

Lou Reed (Musician)

Hal

Army ruler

English

HAL

Used in the U.S. and U.K.

Hal Holbrook (Actor)

Jay

Victory, bird name

English/Sanskrit

JAY

Very popular in India, U.S., and U.K.

Jay-Z (Rapper)

Ken

Handsome

Scottish/Japanese

KEN

Popular in Japan, Scotland, and U.S.

Ken Watanabe (Actor)

Bob

Bright fame

English

BOB

Classic in the U.S. and U.K.

Bob Dylan (Musician)

Sid

Wide island

English

SID

Popular in the U.K., U.S., and India

Sid Vicious (Musician)

Dan

God is my judge

Hebrew

DAN

Common in the U.S., U.K., and Israel

Dan Brown (Author)

Rob

Bright fame

English

ROB

Used in the U.S., U.K., and Canada

Rob Lowe (Actor)

Tim

Honoring God

Greek

TIM

Popular in the U.S., Germany, and Australia

Tim Burton (Director)

Ron

Ruler’s counselor

Norse/Hebrew

RON

Common in the U.S. and Israel

Ron Weasley (Harry Potter Character)

Cal

Bald

Latin

KAL

Used in the U.S. and U.K.

Cal Ripken Jr. (Baseball Player)

Joe

God will add

Hebrew

JOH

U.S., U.K.

Joe Biden (U.S. President)

Ace

One, unity

Latin

AYS

U.S., Canada

Ace Frehley (Musician)

Ean

God is gracious

Scottish

EE-an

Scotland, U.S.

Ean Evans (Musician)

Ray

Beam of light

English

RAY

U.S., U.K.

Ray Charles (Singer)

Ziv

Brilliance, light

Hebrew

ZEEV

Israel, U.S.

Ziv Kalontarov (Swimmer)

Kev

Handsome, beloved

Irish

KEV

Ireland, U.K.

Kev Adams (Comedian)

Ted

Gift of God

Greek

TED

U.S., U.K.

Ted Bundy (Criminal)

Ash

From the ash tree

English

ASH

U.S., U.K.

Ash Ketchum (Pokémon Character)

Mat

Gift of God

Hebrew

MAT

U.S., France

Mat Hoffman (BMX Rider)

Sol

Peace, sun

Latin/Hebrew

SOHL

Spain, U.S., Israel

Sol Campbell (Footballer)

Art

Bear

Celtic

ART

U.K., U.S.

Art Garfunkel (Musician)

Jon

God is gracious

Hebrew

JON

U.S., U.K., Germany

Jon Snow (Game of Thrones Character)

Axl

Father of peace

Scandinavian

AK-sul

U.S., Sweden

Axl Rose (Musician)

Boe

Handsome, admirer

Scandinavian

BOH

U.S., Denmark

Boe Huntress (Musician)

Dev

Divine, godlike

Sanskrit

DEV

India, Nepal, U.S.

Dev Patel (Actor)

Gil

Joy, happiness

Hebrew/Spanish

GHEEL or GIL

Spain, Israel

Gil Scott-Heron (Poet)

Han

God is gracious

Chinese/German

HAHN

China, Germany

Han Solo (Star Wars Character)

Ike

Laughter

Hebrew

EYE-k

U.S., Israel

Ike Turner (Musician)

Jeb

Beloved friend

Hebrew

JEB

U.S., Israel

Jeb Bush (Politician)

Luc

Light

French

LUK

France, Canada

Luc Besson (Filmmaker)

Moe

Savior, deliverer

Hebrew

MOH

U.S., Japan

Moe Howard (Comedian)

Ned

Wealthy guardian

English

NED

U.K., U.S.

Ned Stark (Game of Thrones Character)

Ozi

Strength, power

Hebrew

OH-zee

Israel, Australia

Ozi Mak (Rapper)

Pax

Peace

Latin

PAKS

U.S., France

Pax Jolie-Pitt (Celebrity Kid)

Raf

Wolf counsel

German

RAHF

Germany, U.K.

Rafael "Raf" Nadal (Tennis Player)

Seb

Revered

Greek

SEB

U.K., Australia

Seb Coe (Olympian)

Taj

Crown

Sanskrit

TAJH

India, Middle East

Taj Gibson (Basketball Player)

Uzi

Strength, power

Hebrew

OO-zee

Israel, U.S.

Lil Uzi Vert (Rapper)

Van

Of

Dutch

VAN

U.S., Netherlands

Van Gogh (Painter)

Wes

Western meadow

English

WES

U.S., U.K.

Wes Anderson (Director)

Xan

Defender of mankind

Greek

ZAN

U.S., Spain

Xan Brooks (Journalist)

Yul

Beyond the horizon

Russian

YOOL

Russia, Thailand

Yul Brynner (Actor)

Zev

Wolf

Hebrew

ZEV

Israel, U.S.

Zev Siegl (Starbucks Co-Founder)

Bo

To live

Scandinavian/Chinese

BOH

Sweden, China

Bo Jackson (Athlete)

Cai

Rejoice

Welsh/Chinese

KAI

Wales, China

Cai Guo-Qiang (Artist)

Fen

Marshland dweller

Chinese/Dutch

FEN

China, Netherlands

Fen Zhao (Scholar)

Huy

Glorious

Vietnamese

HWEE

Vietnam, U.S.

Huy Fong (Sriracha Founder)

Ian

God is gracious

Scottish

EE-an

Scotland, U.S.

Ian McKellen (Actor)

Job

Persecuted one

Hebrew

JOHB

U.S., Israel

Job (Biblical Figure)

Kim

Chief, noble

Korean

KIM

Korea, U.S.

Kim Jong-un (Leader)

Lee

Meadow, plum

English/Chinese

LEE

U.K., China, U.S.

Bruce Lee (Martial Artist)

Noe

Rest, comfort

Hebrew

NOH-ee

U.S., France, Mexico

Noé Hernández (Athlete)

Orr

Pine tree

Hebrew

OR

Israel, U.S.

Bobby Orr (Hockey Player)

Pim

Lover of horses

Dutch

PIM

Netherlands

Pim Fortuyn (Politician)

Qin

Musical instrument

Chinese

CHIN

China, Taiwan

Qin Shi Huang (Emperor)

Raj

King, ruler

Sanskrit

RAHJ

India, U.K.

Raj Kapoor (Actor)

Uri

My light

Hebrew

OO-ree

Israel, U.S.

Uri Geller (Illusionist)

Vic

Conqueror

Latin

VIK

U.S., Canada

Vic Fuentes (Musician)

Wil

Will, desire

English

WIL

U.K., U.S.

Wil Wheaton (Actor)

Yen

Peaceful, calm

Vietnamese

YEN

Vietnam, U.S.

Yen Sid (Disney Character)

Zan

Noble, gracious

Arabic

ZAN

Middle East, U.K.

Zan Perrion (Author)

Zoh

Light, radiance

Hebrew

ZOH

Israel, U.S.

Zoh Amba (Musician)

Adi

Jewel, ornament

Sanskrit/Hebrew

AH-dee

India, Israel

Adi Dassler (Founder of Adidas)

Aro

Strong, eagle

Finnish/Polynesian

AH-roh

Finland, New Zealand

Aro Volc (Fictional Character)

Bay

Born near the bay

English/Vietnamese

BAY

U.S., Vietnam

Bay Buchanan (Politician)

Bix

Bright, shining

German

BIKS

Germany, U.S.

Bix Beiderbecke (Jazz Musician)

Cem

The one who rules

Turkish

JEM

Turkey, Germany

Cem Yılmaz (Comedian)

Dov

Bear

Hebrew

DOHV

Israel, U.S.

Dov Charney (Entrepreneur)

Edo

Wealthy guardian

Italian

EH-doh

Italy, Germany

Edoardo Ballerini (Actor)

Fay

Fairy, confidence

English/French

FAY

U.S., France

Fay Vincent (MLB Commissioner)

Geo

Earth, farmer

Greek

JEE-oh

U.S., France

Geo Bogza (Writer)

Hao

Good, perfect

Chinese

HOW

China, Taiwan

Hao Haidong (Footballer)

Ivo

Yew wood, archer

German

EE-voh

Germany, Netherlands

Ivo Karlović (Tennis Player)

Jai

Victory

Sanskrit

JAY

India, U.K.

Jai Courtney (Actor)

Koi

Love, carp (fish)

Japanese

KOY

Japan, U.S.

Koi Fresco (Spiritual Teacher)

Laz

My God has helped

Hebrew

LAHZ

Israel, U.S.

Laz Alonso (Actor)

Mo

Savior, drawn from water

English/Arabic

MOH

U.S., Egypt

Mo Salah (Footballer)

Nik

Victory of the people

Greek

NIK

Germany, U.S.

Nik Wallenda (Tightrope Walker)

Odo

Wealth, fortune

German

OH-doh

France, Germany

Odo of Bayeux (Historical Figure)

Pip

Lover of horses

English

PIP

U.K., Australia

Pip Torrens (Actor)

Qui

Vital, essential

Chinese/Latin

KWEE

China, Mexico

Qui Nguyen (Poker Player)

Ryu

Dragon

Japanese

REE-you

Japan, U.S.

Ryu Hyun-jin (Baseball Player)

Sai

Divine, truth

Sanskrit/Japanese

SAI

India, Japan

Sai Baba (Spiritual Leader)

Taz

Fiery, energetic

English

TAZZ

U.S., U.K.

Taz (Looney Tunes Character)

Ugo

Mind, spirit

Italian

OO-go

Italy, France

Ugo Tognazzi (Actor)

Win

Friend, blessed

English

WIN

U.S., U.K.

Win Butler (Musician)

Xiu

Elegant, beautiful

Chinese

SHOO

China, Taiwan

Xiu Xiu (Music Band)

Yan

Swallow (bird), peaceful

Chinese/Russian

YAN

China, Russia

Yan Gomes (Baseball Player)

Zac

God has remembered

Hebrew

ZAK

U.S., Australia

Zac Efron (Actor)

Aki

Bright, autumn

Japanese/Finnish

AH-kee

Japan, Finland

Aki Kaurismäki (Director)

Avi

My father is God

Hebrew

AH-vee

Israel, U.S.

Avi Arad (Film Producer)

Bri

Strong, noble

Irish

BREE

Ireland, U.K.

Bri (Rare Short Name)

Cid

Lord, chief

Spanish

SEED

Spain, U.S.

El Cid (Historical Warrior)

Dag

Daylight

Scandinavian

DAHG

Norway, Sweden

Dag Hammarskjöld (Diplomat)

Eon

Eternal, timeless

Greek

EE-awn

U.S., Korea

Eon Productions (Film Company)

Fio

Flowering

Italian

FEE-oh

Italy, U.S.

Fio Germi (Anime Character)

Gio

God is gracious

Italian

JEE-oh

Italy, U.S.

Gio Reyna (Soccer Player)

Jae

Wealth, respect

Korean

JAY

Korea, U.S.

Jae Crowder (NBA Player)

Lev

Heart, lion

Hebrew/Russian

LEV

Israel, Russia, U.S.

Lev Tolstoy (Writer)

Mik

Who is like God?

Slavic

MEEK

Poland, Russia

Mik Kersten (Tech Leader)

Nox

Night

Latin

NOKS

U.S., France

Nox (Gaming Character)

Ovi

Sheep

Romanian

OH-vee

Romania, U.S.

Ovi (Nickname for Hockey Star Ovechkin)

Qai

Strength

Arabic

KAI

Middle East, U.S.

(Rare Name)

Tye

Tile maker, bow

English

TIE

U.S., U.K.

Tye Sheridan (Actor)

Abo

Father

African (Akan)

AH-boh

Ghana, Nigeria

Abo Sarkodie (Footballer)

Cas

Imperial, brave

Dutch

KAS

Netherlands, Belgium

Cas Mudde (Political Scientist)

Dom

Lord, belonging to God

Latin

DAHM

U.S., Italy

Dom DeLuise (Comedian)

Mac

Son of

Scottish

MAK

Scotland, U.S.

Mac Miller (Rapper)

Obi

Heart, king

Nigerian/Igbo

OH-bee

Nigeria, U.S.

Obi Toppin (NBA Player)

Pio

Pious, devoted

Italian/Spanish

PEE-oh

Italy, Spain

Padre Pio (Saint)

Sim

Listening, hearing

Hebrew

SIM

U.S., U.K.

Sim Bhullar (Basketball Player)

Tor

Thunder

Norse

TOR

Scandinavia, Germany

Tor Johnson (Wrestler)

Wim

Strong-willed warrior

Dutch

VIM

Netherlands, Belgium

Wim Hof (Athlete)

Bod

Shelter, protection

English

BOD

U.K., U.S.

Bod (Children’s TV Character)

Dax

Water, leader

French

DAKS

France, U.S.

Dax Shepard (Actor)

Lex

Defender of men

Greek

LEKS

U.S., Europe

Lex Luger (Wrestler)

Ove

Ancestor, inheritance

Scandinavian

OH-veh

Sweden, Norway

Ove Andersson (Racer)

Paz

Peace

Spanish/Hebrew

PAHZ

Spain, Israel

Paz Vega (Actress)

Uma

Nation, thriving

Sanskrit

OO-mah

India, Japan

Uma Bharti (Politician)

Vig

Fight, warrior

Scandinavian

VIG

Sweden, Denmark

Viggo Mortensen (Actor)

Yaz

God’s gift

Persian

YAZZ

Iran, U.S.

Yazid I (Caliph)

Modern and unique 3 letter boy names

unique 3 letter boy names

Name

Meaning

Origin

Pronunciation

Famous Namesake

Jax

God has been gracious

Modern English

JAKS

Jax Taylor (TV Personality)

Lex

Defender of men

Greek

LEKS

Lex Luthor (Fictional Character)

Zay

Victory, bright

Arabic

ZAY

Zay Jones (NFL Player)

Kye

Ocean, narrow

Scottish

KAI

Kye Palmer (Musician)

Max

Greatest

Latin

MAKS

Max Verstappen (F1 Racer)

Rio

River

Spanish/Portuguese

REE-oh

Rio Ferdinand (Footballer)

Taj

Crown

Persian

TAHJ

Taj Gibson (Basketball Player)

Zev

Wolf

Hebrew

ZEV

Zev Siegl (Starbucks Co-Founder)

Neo

New, gift

Greek

NEE-oh

Neo (The Matrix Character)

Kai

Sea, victory

Hawaiian/Japanese

KAI

Kai Havertz (Footballer)

Nature inspired 3 letter boy names

nature inspire 3 letter boy names

Name

Meaning

Origin

Pronunciation

Famous Namesake

Ash

Tree, happy

English

ASH

Ash Ketchum (Pokémon)

Bay

Born near the bay

English/Vietnamese

BAY

Bay Buchanan (Politician)

Cyn

Sun, dog

Greek

SIN

(Rare Nature Name)

Dew

Morning moisture

English

DYOO

(Nature-Themed)

Eon

Eternal, timeless

Greek

EE-on

Eon Productions (Film Company)

Fyn

Fair, bright

Dutch

FIN

(Rare, Nature-Themed)

Gio

Earth, farmer

Greek

JEE-oh

Gio Reyna (Soccer Player)

Kai

Sea, ocean

Hawaiian

KAI

Kai Lenny (Surfer)

Oak

Strong, resilient

English

OAK

(Nature-Themed)

Zim

Forest spirit

African

ZIM

(Rare, Nature-Themed)

For informed decision-making Names are organized into a table with these columns:

  • Name: The list here includes the name in form of a column that is arranged in alphabetical order with close attention to the selectiveness of making the name unique and fashionable.
  • Pronunciation Guide: We know how important it is to pronounce it properly – particularly for the names which are not coined everyone in the world is familiar with. This column will give a basic guide on how to pronounce each of the names.
  • Gender: Although all the names mentioned in this list are male, this column indicates the sex associated with each name.
  • Religion/Culture: This column informs you of the religion or culture that name belongs to so that, you can choose your preferred religion/ culture that you practice or from the culture you come from.
  • Meaning: Names often carry deep meanings, reflecting virtues, aspirations, or qualities you may wish to impart to your child. For the convenience of the readers, this column offers the English meaning of each name.
  • Meaning in Urdu: For those whose native  language is Urdu or prefer to translate the given name into the beauty of this language, this column reflects the meaning of the given name into English translated in Urdu.
  • Meaning in Hindi: The practice is the same with this column; that is the meaning of the name in Hindi thus addressing the common user who has the Hindi language as their primary language.
  • Popularity

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