These 3 Letter Names Pack Big Personality Into a Small Space
Zachariah and Genevieve are gorgeous names, but when it comes to keeping things simple, shorter monikers — in this case, three-letter names like Zac and Gen — are where it’s at. For starters, they’re easier to spell (especially advantageous while kids are learning to write their names — and, later on, when they’re using it for email addresses or social media handles!). People are far less likely to mispronounce three-letter names, so you’re not dooming your child to a lifetime of making awkward corrections. Short names are typically easier to remember, which is always a bonus. And there’s just something energetic about a three-letter name; they convey a vibrant and lively spirit in a way that longer names don’t.
Whether you’re seeking the perfect name for a girl, for a boy, or just prefer to keep things gender-neutral (which is a hot trend right now, FYI!), we’ve got you covered with this comprehensive list of short, sweet, and simple three-letter names.
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3-Letter Names for Girls
Mia: mine. (Italian)
Bea: she who brings happiness. (Latin)
Ana: grace. (Portuguese)
Fae: fairy. (English)
Lou: renowned warrior. (French)
Ava: life; bird; water, island. (Hebrew, Latin)
Ivy: faithfulness. (English)
Nia: resolve; brilliance. (Swahili)
Lea: meadow; weary. (English)
Amy: beloved. (French)
Eva: life. (Hebrew)
Dot: gift of God. (English)
Liv: life. (Norse)
Jen: white shadow, white wave. (Welsh)
Rue: herb; regret. (Greek)
Dee: divine. (English)
Emi: beautiful favor, beautiful picture. (Japanese)
Ada: noble, nobility, or island. (Turkish)
Rae: ewe. (English)
Fia: wild or weaver. (Irish)
Zoe: life. (Greek)
Mae: bitter or pearl. (English)
Paz: gold. (Hebrew)
Nan: grace. (English)
Ina: lover of horses. (Latin)
Meg: pearl. (Greek)
Tia: goddess, godly. (Spanish)
Bre: strength or exalted one. (Irish)
Kat: pure. (Greek)
Joy: joy. (English)
Liz: pledged to God. (Hebrew)
Mal: smooth-browed one. (Scottish)
Sia: victory. (Norse)
Uma: light, peace, nation. (Sanskrit)
Viv: life. (Latin)
Aya: colorful, bird, sign. (Hebrew)
Sol: sun. (Spanish)
3-Letter Names for Boys
Ace: one, unity. (Latin)
Gus: great, magnificent. (Latin)
Leo: lion. (Latin)
Abe: messenger of God. (Hebrew)
Dre: man, warrior. (English)
Asa: healer; morning; of the gods. (Hebrew)
Rob: fame. (German)
Rex: king. (English)
Cal: lark. (Greek)
Cru: group of people. (English)
Dax: water. (English)
Jud: praised. (English)
Dom: belonging to the Lord. (Latin)
Jay: jaybird. (Latin)
Eli: ascended, uplifted, high. (Hebrew)
Ira: watchful one. (Hebrew)
Ben: son of. (Hebrew)
Ike: laughter. (English)
Jon: God is gracious; or gift of Jehovah. (Hebrew)
Teo: gift of God. (Spanish)
Vic: conqueror. (Latin)
Raj: hope; ruler. (Arabic)
Hal: youthful. (English)
Wes: western meadow. (English)
Lev: heart; lion. (Hebrew)
Dru: dear one, sweetheart. (French)
Nic: people of victory. (English)
Pip: lover of horses. (English)
Ray: wise protector. (English)
Zac: the Lord has remembered. (Hebrew)
Taj: crown. (Arabic)
Wil: will. (Germanic)
Seb: God of the earth. (Egyptian)
Tad: gift of God. (Aramaic)
Van: of. (Dutch)
Zeb: gift of Jehovah. (Hebrew)
Gender Neutral 3-Letter Names
Ari: lion of God. (Hebrew)
Sky: scholar. (English)
Ash: ash tree. (English)
Koa: warrior. (Hawaiian)
Bay: berry. (Latin)
Cam: crooked nose. (Scottish)
Poe: peacock. (English)
Kai: sea. (Hawaiian)
Noa: rest, repose. (Hebrew)
Lex: defending men. (Greek)
Rio: river. (Spanish)
Sid: Saint-Denis. (French)
Zen: meditation. (Japanese)
Fin: fair or white. (Irish)
Kit: bearer of Christ. (English)
Max: greatest. (English)
Lee: pasture, meadow. (English)
Pen: enclosure. (English)Pen: enclosure
Sam: told by God. (English)
Fox: animal. (English)
Oli: olive tree. (English)
For more baby-naming inspo, check out the SheKnows Baby Name Database!
From Castian to Zaide, here’s a list of rare and unique boy names that were used only five times in 2023.
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