165 Short and Sweet 3 Letter Names for Baby

Three letters are all it takes to land a name that sticks. Think Mia, Leo, Ivy, or Max: quick to say, easy to spell, and impossible to shorten into a nickname you never wanted. Short does not mean plain, it means every letter earns its place.

This list gathers 165 three-letter names for boys and girls, sorted into 59 girl names, 62 boy names, and 44 gender-neutral picks. Each one comes with its origin, meaning, and a famous namesake or two, so you can see where it comes from and who has carried it well.

Scroll through and see which tiny name feels like the right fit.

59 Adorable 3 Letter Girl Names

These sweet and petite three-letter names for girls sparkle like tiny gemstones.

1. Ada: Meaning “adornment,” this Hebrew girl’s name fits a baby mathematician perfectly.
2. Amy: A very commonly heard given and middle name meaning “beloved,” of French origin.
3. Ana: This cute variation of Ann offers pronunciation options of A-na or AH-nah.
4. Ani: You can use this cute variant of Ann as a shorter spelling of Annie.
5. Ann: Meaning “grace” or “favor,” this vintage name remains a true classic.
6. Åsa: This powerful name for a Viking warrior female means “goddess.”
7. Ava: One of the most popular three-letter girl names, it beautifully means “life” or “bird” in Latin. Ava held a spot on the girls’ top ten for years before sliding out of that top ten in the SSA’s 2025 rankings ⁽¹⁾, a list the agency has tracked every year since 1997 ⁽²⁾.
8. Aya: Meaning “design, colorful, beautiful,” this Japanese girl’s name perfectly complements a creative mind.
9. Bạc: Your little one could sparkle and shine with this Vietnamese female name meaning “silver.”
10. Bảo: This adorable Sino-Vietnamese pick translates to “treasure.”
11. Bay: A romantic choice meaning “berry,” or perhaps inspired by the evergreen shrub.
12. Bea: Meaning “bringer of happiness,” Bea serves as an affectionate name to bestow upon a beloved daughter.
13. Bee: A buzzy nature nickname that doubles as a short form of Beatrice, meaning “she who brings happiness.”
14. Cae: One of the girliest among three-letter baby names, it means “feminine” in Vietnamese.
15. Cat: You can spell this animal-inspired name as Cat or Kat, often serving as a short form for Catherine.
16. Cel: A dazzling name inspired by an Etruscan goddess of the earth.
17. Cúc: A cute floral pick meaning “chrysanthemum” in Vietnamese.
18. Dot: Parents use this cutesy and petite-sounding name as a short form of Dorothy.
19. Ema: A three-lettered way of spelling the popular name Emma, meaning “whole, universal.”
20. Eos: A dreamy, standout name inspired by the Greek goddess of dawn.
21. Eva: This name serves as a dainty form of Eve and a cute alternative to Ava.
22. Eve: Meaning “life” in Hebrew, this makes a spectacular biblical name for a first-born daughter.
23. Fay: A magical choice for a dainty daughter, meaning “fairy.”
24. Gem: A sparkling short form of Gemma, Latin for “precious stone,” that stands in for every gemstone name at once.
25. Gia: Meaning “excellent” in Vietnamese, Gia also works as a recognizable nickname for many “G” names.
26. Hel: Inspired by the Norse goddess of death, this name carries the shady meaning of “hidden.”
27. Ida: An admirable name rooted in Germanic and Greek, meaning “hardworking one.”
28. Íde: This Gaelic girl’s name beautifully represents a thirst for the holiness of wisdom.
29. Ila: A cute French choice for a girl “from this island,” making a fun alternative to Isla.
30. Imi: An adorably gentle and delicate name for a girl, perhaps as a diminutive of Imogen.
31. Ivy: A beautiful botanical name for a little woman who creeps into your heart like a vine.
32. Joy: A bright virtue name that means exactly what it says, ideal for a baby girl full of smiles.
33. Ker: This name means “doom,” taken from the Greek goddesses of violent death.
34. Kun: A wholesome Chinese female name element meaning “earth.”
35. Lan: A romantic name meaning “orchid,” featuring Sino-Vietnamese and Chinese roots.
36. Lea: Means “meadow” in English, or “weary and delicate” as a spelling variation of Leah.
37. Liv: Short for Olivia, this name also offers “protection and shelter” as a Norwegian girl’s name.
38. Mae: An elegant spelling variant of May.
39. Mai: A sweet, springtime Vietnamese alternative to May or Mei, meaning “plum flower, cherry blossom.”
40. May: An especially lovely, retro name for a girl born in the fifth month.
41. Meg: A pretty short form of the English name Megan, holding the elegant meaning of “pearl.”
42. Mei: Used across many cultures, Mei ranks as one of the sweetest three-letter girl names.
43. Mia: Meaning “mine” in Spanish, we can see why this cute choice remains popular.
44. Mya: A pretty alternative to Mia, meaning “mother” or “great.”
45. Nan: Meaning “grace,” this affectionate name makes us think of loving grandmas.
46. Nia: Meaning “purpose” in Swahili and “bright” in Welsh, a snappy name with real substance behind it.
47. Non: A Welsh name with the devoted meaning of “nun.”
48. Oni: This cute Sanskrit name offers your daughter the “protection of God.”
49. Pia: A cute Mia alternative, meaning “pious” in Latin.
50. Pua: A Hawaiian entry among three-letter names for girls, meaning “flower.”
51. Ria: A variant of the river name Rio and a cute diminutive of the gorgeous Maria.
52. Sif: Named after the golden-haired Norse goddess and wife of Thor, this rare name sounds enchanting.
53. Sun: A radiant name for a baby born in the light of shimmering sunshine.
54. Téa: Spelled like the beverage but pronounced with two syllables, meaning “gift of God.”
55. Tia: A cute Mia alternative, meaning “aunt” in Spanish.
56. Uma: A spectacular Hindu name with meanings in Sanskrit, including “light, tranquility, and splendor.”
57. Una: A shorter alternative to the Irish Oonagh, meaning “lamb.”
58. Zia: You will need sunglasses to read this name and its dazzling meanings of “light, splendor, radiance.”
59. Zoe: A lively Greek girl’s name meaning “life,” full of adventure and possibility.

62 Charming 3 Letter Boy Names

These three-letter names for boys may be small, but they sure are mighty.

1. Abe: A presidential short form of Abraham, meaning “father of a nation, high father.”
2. Abu: Meaning “father,” this makes an ironic and fun name for a son.
3. Åke: This Swedish male name beautifully honors family, meaning “ancestry.”
4. Alf: A magical choice from Nordic folklore, meaning “elf.”
5. Ali: One of the most popular names globally, meaning “high, exalted” in Arabic.
6. Anh: A dreamy Vietnamese name with meanings including “brave,” “hero,” and “flower.”
7. Ant: Reminiscent of strong, hardworking critters, or a short form of Anthony.
8. Art: A short form of Arthur rooted in the Celtic word for “bear,” a strong pick for a feisty little lad.
9. Ben: A fun and familiar nickname from Benjamin or Benedict, sounding short yet mighty.
10. Cub: A cuddly name for a new baby bear in the family.
11. Dom: Short for Dominic, this holy name means “belonging to the Lord.”
12. Don: A powerful name for a man, meaning “world ruler, ruler, chief.”
13. Efe: A name for siblings to look up to, meaning “brave” and “older brother” in Turkish.
14. Fox: Shady and cunning, this animal name also commonly appears as a last name.
15. Geb: A unique yet epic choice inspired by an ancient Egyptian god of the earth.
16. Ged: Meaning “a strong spear,” you could say this name sits right on point.
17. Geo: Meaning “earth,” this name holds wonder and greatness.
18. Gus: A cute nickname from the “great, majestic” Latin name Augustus.
19. Han: A form of John, Han means “God is gracious” and makes an epic Star Wars-inspired name.
20. Huy: A luminous Vietnamese name meaning “brightness, shining,” one of the most spirited three-letter picks for a boy.
21. Ian: A typically Scottish form of John, meaning “God is gracious.”
22. Ivo: With European roots, this earthy name means “archer” and relates to the yew tree.
23. Jac: A cool way of spelling the popular English name Jack, meaning “God is gracious.”
24. Jaq: A rare yet exceptionally stylish way of spelling Jack.
25. Jax: A modern name from the same stem as the surname Jackson, meaning “Jack’s son.”
26. Jet: A speedy-sounding pick from Latin, named after the pitch-dark shade of black.
27. Joe: Everyone knows a Joe, making this nickname meaning “God will increase” a friendly staple.
28. Kek: Inspired by the ancient Egyptian god of darkness, this name sounds delightfully shadowy.
29. Ken: A short form of Kenneth meaning “handsome,” and “healthy, strong” as the Japanese Ken, though many still picture the Barbie doll.
30. Kip: An unusual name from Old English, with the unique meaning of “pointed hill.”
31. Kit: This upper-class nickname also applies to baby animals, including raccoons, rabbits, and squirrels.
32. Koa: Meaning “brave, bold” in Hawaiian, Koa stands out among fiery three-letter baby names.
33. Lee: Meaning “meadow,” this boy’s name serves as a popular middle name among parents.
34. Len: Short for Leonard, Len sounds mighty and full of lion-like strength.
35. Leo: Meaning “lion,” this Latin name fits perfectly for a brave little boy.
36. Les: A great English name, often interpreted to mean “holly garden.”
37. Lev: A Russian take on Leo, also meaning “lion.”
38. Luc: An exotic way to spell Luke, a handsome biblical name meaning “light.”
39. Mac: This Scottish surname prefix meaning “son of” makes a cool choice for your new namesake.
40. Max: Meaning “greatest,” it does not get better than this Latin boy’s name.
41. Neo: Meaning “new” in Greek, a sleek pick that Matrix fans will recognize at once.
42. Nye: Like the celebrity Science Guy, this Welsh male name means “honor.”
43. Obi: Another great Star Wars name, also meaning “heart” from Nigerian Igbo roots.
44. Oli: A great short form of Oliver that stays consistently popular among parents.
45. Oro: The Spanish word for “gold” makes a glittering choice for a bright baby.
46. Pim: A Dutch diminutive of the popular and much longer name William.
47. Pio: A male alternative to Pia, meaning “pious” in Latin.
48. Poe: A cool pop-culture name, also meaning “peacock” as a Norse-rooted pick.
49. Rex: Royally meaning “king,” this Latin name sounds like a dinosaur lover’s dream.
50. Roy: Meaning “king” in French, or “red” in Scottish, fitting a fiery ruler.
51. Rua: A sexy name meaning “lake” in Maori and “red” in Irish.
52. Ryu: This Japanese male name meaning “dragon” carries excellent cool points.
53. Seb: A nickname for Sebastian and an Egyptian earth god.
54. Son: This serves as the most literal choice to bestow upon your male offspring.
55. Tam: A Scots form of Thomas, meaning “twin.”
56. Ted: A nickname from Theodore or Edward, reminding us of cuddly bears.
57. Thu: Fans of fall festivities will love this Sino-Vietnamese name, meaning “autumn.”
58. Tom: One of the most common nicknames for Thomas, meaning “twin.”
59. Uri: A glowing Hebrew boy’s name meaning “my light” or “God is my light.”
60. Wes: As Wesley means “western meadow,” Wes provides a cool and breezy directional feel.
61. Yas: Few three-letter boy names sound as wintery as Yas, which means “snow” in Navajo.
62. Zak: A short form of the dreamy Zacariah, meaning “God has remembered.”

44 Cool, Gender-Neutral 3 Letter Names for Baby

These unisex three-letter names may be unusually short, but they remain unforgettable.

1. Ace: Any superstar child will surely shine with this high-achieving name.
2. Aio: An awesome, vowel-only pick among uncommon three-letter names, featuring various origins and meanings.
3. Ari: Like a mythical griffin, Ari means “lion” in Hebrew and “eagle” in Old Norse.
4. Asa: A name with various meanings, including “healer” in Hebrew and “morning” in Japanese.
5. Ash: As peaceful as the tree, this remains a popular pick among nature-inspired baby names.
6. Aza: A rare name meaning “strong, mighty” in Hebrew and “powerful, esteemed” in Arabic, carrying real weight for a small child.
7. Blu: Dropping the “e” gives this color name a fresh, modern edge.
8. Bow: Tied up neatly, this petite-sounding name carries a sweet charm.
9. Cam: Short for the Gaelic unisex name Cameron, which means “crooked nose.”
10. Eli: This biblical Hebrew name means “high, ascent.”
11. Hào: This Sino-Vietnamese name meaning “good, heroic, brave” sounds like high praise indeed.
12. Ira: A soft Sanskrit name meaning “watchful,” perfect for a baby born with striking eyes.
13. Isa: A strong yet handsome name of various origins, meaning “devoted to God” or “strong-willed.”
14. Jay: A common initial nickname inspired by the beautiful blue bird.
15. Jem: A pretty moniker that sparkles like a precious gemstone.
16. Jin: A shimmering Asian name with prosperous meanings including “bright” and “gold.”
17. Kai: Carries many meanings, including “sea” in Hawaiian and “king” in African.
18. Kaj: A Danish name meaning “earth,” sounding fit for rugged explorers.
19. Kay: Another sleek initial option among gender-neutral three-letter names.
20. Kim: Hugely popular internationally as an Asian name element or a nickname from Kimberley.
21. Lei: Like the Hawaiian floral garland, this name feels pretty and tropical.
22. Lou: Derived from Louis, this short nickname still carries the bold meaning of “renowned warrior.”
23. Lux: A trendy, modern-sounding Latin option meaning “light.”
24. Mǐn: Meaning “clever, quick,” this Chinese name element signifies cunning and wit.
25. Noa: A dreamy Hebrew name meaning “motion, movement,” perfect for active toddlers.
26. Nyx: This short name features rich ties to Greek mythology, holding the intriguing meaning of “nighttime.”
27. Oak: A unique choice among three-letter names inspired by a sturdy, beautiful tree.
28. Ola: Offers Slavic, Scandinavian, and Arabic roots behind its multi-meaning background.
29. Pax: A Latin name meaning “peace,” famously held by a Roman goddess.
30. Pea: Many parents use this affectionate veggie nickname for their unborn baby.
31. Ray: Means “wise protector” from Raymond and shines like sunlight over those who bear it.
32. Rei: A biblical Hebrew name and alternative to Ray, meaning “friend, companion.”
33. Rey: A popular sci-fi spelling of Ray, also meaning “king” in Spanish.
34. Rio: Means “river” in Spanish, ideal for a baby who loves the water.
35. Rue: A botanical name that also carries the meaning of “regret” in English.
36. Sal: Short for Sally and Salvatore, this unisex name carries a cool, retro swagger.
37. Sam: A classic pick among names starting with S, meaning “God has heard.”
38. Sia: Famous from the pop singer, but also the Egyptian deification of perception and wisdom.
39. Sky: A dreamy choice for a child whose head always rests in the clouds.
40. Tai: Rooted in Chinese, this name holds a vast, great, and extreme presence.
41. Tal: Popular in Israel, this gentle name holds the refreshing morning-time meaning of “dew.”
42. Van: This Dutch preposition often works as a short form for names like Vanessa or Vance.
43. Wei: This smart Chinese boy’s name element has great possible meanings, including “power.”
44. Wyn: From Welsh origins, this rustic name translates to “pure, fair.”

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