Exotic Short Boy Names
In your search for exotic, short boy names, does “exotic” mean “uncommon?” Or used in another culture? Do Italian, Greek, Polish, and Spanish names fit the bill? Or are you looking for Asian, African, and Middle Eastern names?
No matter what type of short, exotic boy name you want, we’ve got plenty to choose from!
Exotic Short Boy Names
- Aang – as in the main character from Avatar: The Last Airbender
- Afan
- Alec – an exotic, short version of Alexander
- Anas
- Aram
- Aras
- Ari
- Arild
- Asil
- Artur
- Avet
- Bau – Vietnamese and Chinese name that means treasure, precious, jewel
- Biel
- Bjorn – Swedish for bear
- Blai
- Bru
- Caio
- Chuno
- Ciro
- Claes – short form of Nicholas
- Dai
- Dante
- Davi
- Davit
- Diep – Unisex Vietnamese name meaning leaf.
- Dino
- Dov
- Duff
- Edus
- Eino
- Eloi
- Eman
- Emil
- Enzo
- Eoin
- Eun
- Faas
- Fazl
- Fion
- Franc
- Franz
- Fritz
- Gian
- Gio
- Greig
- Guo
- Hai – Vietnamese for ocean
- Hans – a form of John that’s widely used in German-speaking areas
- Hayk
- Hayt
- Hui
- Hye
- Iago
- Ido
- Igor
- Iker
- Isak
- Iver
- Ivo
- Iwo
- Izan
- Jad
- Jan – Jan is a form of John in many languages, pronounced Yawn
- Jens – pronounced Yenz
- Jarl
- Joao
- Joas
- Joep
- Jiri
- Juan
- Jules
- Juwan
- Kai
- Kais
- Kean
- Kei
- Klaos
- Klaus
- Knut
- Koa
- Krzys
- Kun
- Kyo
- Laird
- Lan
- Lars
- Leif
- Lenn
- Lenz
- Lew
- Lian
- Lino
- Lior
- Loic
- Lorn
- Luis
- Lutz
- Lyov
- Mael
- Marc
- Mateo
- Miel
- Min
- Mu
- Nakia
- Niels
- Nil
- Niko
- Nils
- Nino
- Noam
- Noor
- Nuno
- Nur
- Odin
- Olaf
- Olav
- Omar
- Onni
- Pau
- Per
- Petr
- Pich
- Piet
- Pim
- Ping
- Pleun
- Pol
- Qays
- Quim
- Quing
- Ra
- Raf
- Raul
- Ren
- Rens
- Rian
- Roc
- Roel
- Roko
- Ru
- Ryo
- Ryu
- Saif
- Sean
- Sef
- Sem
- Sepp
- Seok
- Shi
- Sho
- Shui
- Siem
- Sion
- Sior
- Soan
- Sven
- Svit
- Tai
- Taj
- Teun
- Timo
- Tome
- Tygo
- Tyr
- Ugo
- Urs
- Utz
- Vahe
- Veit
- Vien
- Vinz
- Vit
- Vito
- Vlas
- Vuk
- Wei
- Wen
- Wim
- Wout
- Wu
- Xia
- Xue
- Xun
- Yi
- Yin
- Yun
- Yves
- Zan
- Zef
- Zejd
- Zeno
- Zeyd
- Zeyn
- Zhen
- Zhi
- Zhou
- Zsolt
Related post: Rare and unique boy names
More Exotic Short Boy Names
Let’s look at some common names and short, exotic equivalents from other cultures.
Some of these names may be pronounced similar to their English counterparts, but just have a different spelling, such as Lyam (Liam). Others, you don’t encounter frequently in English- speaking countries, like Enzo or Larus.
Daniel
The classic name Daniel might appear as Daan, Danne, or Tatu!
Related post: Twin Names for Boys
Laurence
Did you know that historically, Laurence was more common than the spelling Lawrence?
In some cultures, this name becomes Laurenzo or Lorenzo.
Some short but exotic nicknames for the boy’s name Laurence are Lars, Larus, Rens, Lenz, Enzo, and Renzo.
Andrew
In English, an Andrew might go by Andy or Drew. Around the world, you might meet
Andre, Andor, Ander, Dand, Atte, or Tero!
Related post: Coolest Names in the World!
Henry
I love the name Henry. Around the world, this name has evolved into short, exotic boy names like
Heinz, Enzo, Ints, Hein, Rik, Ain, Imre, Kiko, Enn, and Rike.
Otto
Otto may be uncommon in the US, but I love these exotic forms: Audo, Odo, Udo, and Rino!
Related post: check out our favorite unique vintage boy names
James
To me, James is just such a soft, melodic name. But in other cultures, you might find Jasa, Jaka, or Iago!
William
Did you know Liam is a form of the name William? And in many languages, William is something like Guillermo or Wilhelm, which gives us the fun nickname Guy, along with Gui, Guim, Gwil, Vili, Pim, and Lyam.
Related post: Check these over 140 alternatives to the popular name Liam
John
When it comes to common boy names, they don’t get much shorter than John! Other cultures have similarly short names that are equivalent to John: Hovo, Ivan, Eoin, Gjan, Iban, Jan, Jens, Juan, Xoan, Juho, Honza, Hans, Sean, Zan, Anze, Iwan, Efan, and Seoc.
Joseph
Joseph turns into some great exotic boy’s names, like Jose, Zeze, Ze, Pepe, Sepp, Joep, Zef, Joso, Jozo, and Pino.
Related post: How to choose a middle name
Michael
Michael has a few interesting short spinoffs: Mijo, Miho, and Miko.
Thomas
These international versions of Tom are so fun! Tomo, Tomi, Tam, and Tome are all short but exotic-sounding!
Related post: unique medieval baby names
August
Ok, August isn’t really a common boy name. But it certainly has some fascinating nicknames: Dino, Tijn, Auke, and Aku.
Related post: Romantic names for boys
Wrap Up – Exotic Short Boy Names
We hope you enjoyed these unique and intriguing short, exotic boy names! Best of luck in choosing just one!
You might also enjoy reading through unique girl names and vintage girl names.
More resources for finding exotic short boy names
Many countries share the most popular names given to babies each year! Some of them even have historical records for past decades that you may enjoy combing through if you want even more ideas for the perfect exotic short boy names!
- Azerbaijan
- England & Wales
- Germany
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Portugal
- Scotland
- Spain
- Sweden
- Turkey
- Ukraine
Related post: Extravagant, Luxurious and Dignified Names