Parents have endless opportunities to look for inspiration for name for a baby who will enter the world shortly. We spend most of the pregnancy trying to narrow down the top baby name ideas while remaining flexible enough to change on a whim if needed after the baby is born.
With so many choices out there, it's best to try to narrow them down with some parameters. For some parents, that means the name has to start with a certain letter or rhyme with another name. And some parents like to choose based on how long or short the name is.
For anyone who considers themselves a minimalist, finding a baby name on the shorter and sweeter side of the options is probably where they will gravitate. They're easy to remember, it keeps the birth certificate at a reasonable level, and the kids won't wonder what the parents were thinking when they have to start school and write out their name several times each day.
For parents hoping to find a short baby name for their little one because they love that minimalist feel to them, we've compiled a list of 20 three-letter baby names to consider. Come take a look.
AVA
Ava, a super sweet name for little girls, hasn't been around as long as some of the other names we will see on this list. But that means nothing in terms of its popularity. Ava has been gaining in popularity over the past few decades and it is fit for a princess, and ideal for parents who love the smaller name vibes, and it's not going to go out of style anytime soon.
MAX
Max is one of those names that have been around for a while and it came from several longer names. Today, Max is used for any gender, any generation, and fits the bill for parents hoping to have a minimalist feel to the name they give their little baby. Sure, many longer names can be shortened to Max, but there's something playful about just Max.
EVE
If the goal of finding a name for the parents-to-be is one that's on the shorter side, so it has that minimalist vibe, there are plenty of options out there. The name Eve is short and in that sweet spot of how popular it is. Nothing fits the bill of these criteria points quite like Eve. The name is one that is really only two letters (with one repeated), and it's pretty with it meaning "life."
DEV
Brought back into the mix of potential baby names by actor Dev Patel, the name is typically given to boys with the meaning "god." It's in that middle space of not being popular enough to make it on any hot baby name list. Still, a real contender on the shortlist for parents who want a strong meaning attached to it as well.
BEN
Ben is one of those names that feel like it has been around forever. And while it's not as popular as it once was, the name is still around today and it shows no signs that it is going anywhere. According to the Social Security Administration, the name is sitting at the 770th rank overall, dropping from 178 in the 1940s.
ZOE
Zoe is a name that's been around for a long time, with Baby Name Wizard showing its popularity peaked in 2012 but has been around for a lot longer — since the 1880s. It's not easy to find names that start with the last letter of the alphabet, which definitely helps Zoe stand out. And it's one that just trips off the tongue.
KOA
An incredibly beautiful name, Koa is rooted in Hawaiian history. Add to that its meaning being either warrior or brave one, it has everything that a parent might want in a name. It's easy to remember, not too common where it will be an issue, and it's strong and sweet at the same time. This might be the right fit for the minimalist parent.
SAM
We're most used to seeing the name Sam as a nickname for Samuel or Samantha. But we really love it all on its own. It has biblical ties if that's an important factor for the parents in choosing a name. And with this being perfectly suitable for any gender, it's one that may be on the top list for lots of parents-to-be.
AXL
Many shorter names have a cute or whimsical feel to them. And that's what makes the baby boy name Axl stand out. It's not pretty or whimsical at all. Instead, it has the feel of someone who's going to shred a guitar and take the world by storm. There are several celebrities who have gone with this name for their baby, including Fergie and Josh Duhamel.
LEO
A name fit for a little boy who will be the center of their parent's world, Leo is derived from the word lion, the king of the jungle. We most commonly know the name as the pet name for Leonardo, as in DiCaprio, and that's not a bad source to pull some inspiration from when naming our own kiddo. It's also perfect for a kid born July 23 and August 22 — the Leo zodiac sign.
ADA
Old-fashioned names are all the rage again, and we love it. Looking through to way back in our family tree — think our grandma's parents and grandparents — we will find the most elegant options, like Ada. This is minimalist perfection for parents since it's really only two letters with one repeated.
ELI
While Eli can be an endearing option for someone named Elliot, Elijah, Eliezer, or Elisha, in a general sense, the baby name Eli isn't typically used as a nickname. It's the perfect size all on its own, with three letters. It's not too cutesy for parents who are trying to stay away from that vibe.
WYN
For parents who want their child to stand out and have their name remembered at first introduction, the name Wyn is perfect for that. It's not common at all, and the interesting all consonants spelling is rare, saved by the "y," which we know can also work as a vowel. The name is Welsh and works with any gender.
RAJ
The baby boy name Raj gives off handsome vibes, a perfect option for parents who prefer shorter names without losing any of the charm or power to it. Raj is great on its own, especially with the name meaning "king," but the name can also be a pet name for Rajan, which is still on the shorter end of the baby name spectrum.
FAE
Fae is a gorgeous name that has fairy vibes and a touch of whimsy to it as well. The reason for that is because Fae (or sometimes spelled Fay) is derived from fairy, and it's been a popular baby girl name choice since the early 1900s. We don't hear it a lot these days, but we also think that should change.
ABE
We see the name Abe as the perfect choice for a family that considers itself a little bit hipster but is also drawn to the classic, old-school names. While it's a nickname for Abraham, Abe on its own is a baby boy name choice that sits right in the middle of unique and familiar — which is the ideal place for many parents-to-be.
GIA
Gia is a sweet name for a little girl, and it proves that the name doesn't have to be full of letters to be full of beauty and elegance. The name originated in Italy, and for such a short name, it packs a punch of power. Gia is also a short name commonly given for many different names, including Giana, Giada, and Georgia.
TAN
The name Tan is often reserved as a nickname or shorter name for several names, including Tanner, Tania, or Tanveer, which is the full name for the man who helps everyone dress their best on the hit Netflix series Queer Eye and made the French tuck cool again. It's a beautiful name that we think should be an option more often than it is.
INA
When we hear the name Ina, we think of a sweet older grandma who loves to bake all her pies by scratch since it's more of an old-school name. That's what makes it so charming to use today, though. Older lady names are cool now, plus also, Ina Garten is so influential in the food world. For parents who consider themselves foodies, that's another source of inspiration.
ARI
Ari is a name that is gender neutral, and it holds a strong meaning to go with its minimalist feel. According to Baby Name Wizard, Ari is Hebrew and means "lion." For parents who aren't stuck on the three-letter variation of the name, Arie is another option to go with that has the same feel and vibe to it. What's one more letter?
