Newb needs engine info

Alright I know I'm a newbie but i'm trying to learn more so say what you will. What do the letters and #'s mean in the engine names (5efe, 5efhe, 3E-E, 4E-FTE, 4A-GE). Just to name a few. Please help.

I don't think they really mean anything. They might be designations from the engineering and development of whatever manufacturer made the engine to keep track of design attempts. Kinda like software version numbers.

Alright, so if you're talking about Toyota codes (which it appears you are) there is a dash in between the letters. ex. 5s-fe, 3s-fe, 3s-ge,
4a-ge, 3s-gte, 2jz-gte, ect..
The letters before the the dash is the block code
S- 2L or above
A- 1L or 1.9
Jz- inline 6

The letters after the dash are the head code

Fe - fuel economy (usualy a DOHC but with one cam gear)
Ge- true DOHC (two cam gears)
T- Turbo

Now, this is how Toyota does things, each manufacturer has a different system of codes for engine size, block design, and head type. Basically, it comes down to memorizing them for what ever manufacturer you deal with.