Four Syllable Names for Girls

Petronilla is an ancient saint's name that relates to the Roman family name Petronius, thought to mean yokel or woodpecker, though some connect it with Petra or Peter, meaning stone.  With the resurgence of so many ancient Roman names, the elaborate and pretty Petronilla or its French form Petronille seem more usable these days than they have in centuries.

Petronilla

Peterina feels like an awkward invented feminization, ala Davette. To honor an ancestral Peter, consider Petra.

Peterina

Petronela, along with Petronella and Petronelle, are relatives of Petra, sister of Peter. Old names, they are exceedingly rare. But they could be an original route to the cute nicknames Nell and Nellie.

Petronela

Petronelle and sisters Petronella and Petronel are all relatives of Petra, a feminization of Peter. They are old names, but extremely rare.

Petronelle

Place-name mentioned in the New Testament and not yet on the name map. Philadelphia Thursday was the character played by Shirley Temple in John Ford's 1948 "Fort Apache." 

Philadelphia

Felepita is an unusual feminine name with likely Polynesian or Hispanic influences. It may be a feminine variation of Felipe (the Spanish form of Philip), which derives from Greek elements meaning 'lover of horses.' In Polynesian contexts, particularly Tongan or Samoan cultures, it could be an adapted form of a traditional name. The name carries a rhythmic, melodious quality with its alternating consonants and vowels. Felepita remains quite rare in global naming statistics, making it an extremely distinctive choice. Parents might be drawn to this name for its exotic sound, cultural connections, or simply because they seek something truly unique. Its rarity means a child named Felepita would likely have a one-of-a-kind identity.

Felepita

Filipina is a feminine name with roots in Filipino culture, deriving from 'Filipino' which refers to people from the Philippines. The name literally means 'woman from the Philippines' or 'of Philippine origin.' As a given name, Filipina is relatively uncommon outside of the Philippines and Filipino communities abroad. It celebrates Filipino heritage and cultural identity, often given to girls to honor their ethnic background. While not among the most popular names internationally, it holds cultural significance for Filipino families who wish to maintain a connection to their homeland and traditions through naming practices.

Filipina

Filippina is a feminine name of Italian origin, serving as the female form of Filippo (Italian for Philip). The name derives from the Greek Philippos, meaning 'lover of horses' or 'friend of horses.' Traditionally used in Italy and among Italian diaspora communities, Filippina carries cultural significance particularly in southern Italian regions. The name has historical connections to Saint Philip, one of Jesus's twelve apostles. While uncommon globally, Filippina maintains usage within families honoring Italian heritage. The four-syllable name has a rhythmic, classical quality that reflects its ancient roots. Filippina offers a distinctive alternative to the more familiar Filippa or Philippa, providing a strong connection to Italian cultural identity while conveying elegance and traditional femininity.

Filippina

Phillipina is a feminine name that represents the female variant of Philip, ultimately derived from the Greek name Philippos, meaning 'lover of horses.' This elaborate form adds feminine suffixes to the traditional masculine name, creating an ornate and distinctive alternative. Historically, such feminized versions were more common in European naming traditions, particularly in German, Italian, and Spanish cultures. Though never achieving widespread popularity, Phillipina has been used intermittently throughout history, offering an elaborate alternative to the more common Philippa or Filipina forms. The name carries an elegant, somewhat old-fashioned quality that evokes Victorian-era naming patterns. With its multicultural connections and classical roots, Phillipina provides a sophisticated option for parents seeking a name with historical depth and European flair.

Phillipina

Philomela, the name of a mythological Athenian princess who was transformed into a nightingale, is rarely heard outside the Greek community. The mellifluous Philomela might make a more distinctive and prettier update for Pamela or Phyllis.  Philomela may also be a good choice for a music-lover's daughter.  Try Pippa or Millie for short.

Philomela

Philomella is a feminine name with Greek origins, derived from 'philomelos,' meaning 'lover of song' or 'nightingale-loving.' It's closely related to Philomela, a figure in Greek mythology who was transformed into a nightingale after suffering a tragic fate. The name carries associations with music, poetry, and expressive arts. The addition of an extra 'l' in Philomella gives this variation a slightly more melodious flow than the traditional spelling. Quite rare in contemporary use, Philomella offers a distinctive classical option for parents drawn to names with mythological connections and musical connotations. Its elaborate, elegant sound appeals to those seeking a sophisticated name with historical depth and artistic resonance.

Philomella

Filomenia is a feminine name of Greek origin, derived from 'Philomena' meaning 'loved' or 'loving.' The name carries a classic, melodious quality with its flowing syllables. While less common than the variant Philomena, Filomenia maintains the same elegant roots and historical connections. In Greek mythology, Philomela was transformed into a nightingale, giving the name associations with music and beautiful sounds. Filomenia has been more prevalent in Italian and Hispanic communities, offering a slightly distinctive spelling of the traditional name. Though not typically ranking in popular name charts, Filomenia appeals to parents seeking a graceful, traditional name with historical depth and a feminine character.

Filomenia

Filumena is a feminine name with Latin and Italian origins, derived from 'philoumenos' meaning 'beloved' or 'loved one.' This classical name carries rich historical significance, notably through Saint Philomena, a popular Christian martyr. The name fell out of common usage for decades but has occasionally been rediscovered by parents seeking names with historical depth. Filumena features a melodious quality with its four syllables and flowing sound. The variant spelling Filomena is more commonly used in Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese-speaking regions. Despite its rarity in English-speaking countries, the name offers a distinctive vintage charm with its elegant sound and meaningful etymology celebrating the concept of being cherished and loved.

Filumena

Filomina is a feminine name derived from the Greek name Philomena, which means 'loved' or 'lover of strength.' The name combines 'philos' (loving) with 'menos' (strength). This variation with an 'i' instead of 'phi' and a single 'n' gives it a slightly different appearance from the more classical Philomena. Historically, Saint Philomena was a popular early Christian martyr, though details of her life are largely legendary. Filomina carries a romantic, old-world charm with its flowing syllables and melodic quality. While not among the most common names, it appeals to those drawn to vintage names with classical roots. The nickname 'Filo' or 'Mina' offers versatile options for everyday use.

Filomina

Philomina is a feminine name with Greek origins, derived from 'philos' meaning 'lover' or 'friend' and possibly 'menos' meaning 'mind' or 'strength.' It's a variant of Philomena, a name associated with Saint Philomena, a virgin martyr from the early Christian church. The name fell out of common usage after Saint Philomena was removed from the Roman Catholic calendar of saints in 1961, though devotion to her continues. Philomina carries connotations of love, devotion, and inner strength. While not as popular as it once was, the name maintains a classic, vintage charm with its musical quality and rich historical associations. It suggests a person who is loving, steadfast, and intellectually curious.

Philomina

Filimena is a feminine name that serves as a variant spelling of Philomena, which derives from Greek elements meaning 'loved' or 'loving.' This alternate spelling with an 'F' instead of 'Ph' gives the name a distinctive appearance while maintaining its melodic, flowing pronunciation. The name carries historical significance through Saint Philomena, a young Greek martyr whose veneration became popular in the 19th century. Filimena has a romantic, old-world charm and is relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries, though it may be found more frequently in Mediterranean and Latin American communities. The name's four syllables create a musical quality, and it offers several nickname possibilities such as Fili, Mena, or Fila. Filimena suggests a gentle, loving character with classical roots and enduring appeal.

Filimena

Péronelle is a medieval French feminine name that originated as a variant of Petronilla, which itself derives from the Latin name Petronius, meaning 'of rock' or 'rocky.' It was particularly popular in medieval France and England following the Norman Conquest. Péronelle was often used among the nobility and gained significance through Petronilla of Aragon, the queen of Aragon in the 12th century. The name fell out of common usage after the Renaissance period but has occasionally been revived as a connection to French heritage. Today, Péronelle remains a rare name that carries a distinctly historical and aristocratic character, appealing to parents looking for a traditional French name with medieval roots.

Péronelle

Placidina is a rare feminine name with Latin origins, derived from "placidus" meaning "calm," "gentle," or "peaceful." This elaborate name likely developed as a feminine diminutive of Placid or Placido, names historically associated with St. Placidus, an early Christian martyr. With its flowing syllables and melodic quality, Placidina carries an air of ancient elegance and serenity. The name may be found occasionally in Roman Catholic families, particularly those with Italian, Spanish, or Portuguese heritage. Placidina conveys qualities of tranquility and sweetness, making it an expressive choice for parents drawn to names with both meaningful virtue associations and a distinctive classical sound rarely heard in contemporary settings.

Placidina

Palacida is an extremely rare feminine name with unclear origins. It may be a variant of Placida, which comes from Latin meaning 'peaceful' or 'gentle.' Another possibility is that it evolved as a feminine form of Placido, which shares the same Latin roots. The name has very limited usage in modern times, mostly appearing in isolated instances across different cultures. Its exotic quality gives it a distinctive character, though its rarity means it lacks established traditions or notable bearers. Palacida might appeal to parents seeking a truly unique name with a soft, melodious sound and a peaceful connotation.

Palacida

A bit syllable-heavy, but a pretty name for a springtime baby. 

Primavera

Four-syllable girl names often sound feminine or even frilly. Girl names with four syllables work best with shorter surnames, of one or two syllables.

The top four syllable girl name in the US along with many other countries is Isabella. Along with Isabella, four syllable girl names that rank in the US Top 100 include Elizabeth, Victoria, Penelope, Gabriella, Serenity, Valentina, Eliana, and Arianna.

Unique four syllable girl names we recommend include Acadia, Araminta, Carolina, Felicity, and Isadora.

Here, our full list of four syllable names for girls. The top names below rank among the current US Top 1000 Baby Names and are ordered by popularity. Unique names rank below the Top 1000 and are listed alphabetically.

Four-syllable girl names often sound feminine or even frilly. Girl names with four syllables work best with shorter surnames, of one or two syllables. The top four syllable girl name in the US along with many other countries is Isabella. Along with Isabella, four syllable girl names that rank in the US Top 100 include Elizabeth, Victoria, Penelope, Gabriella, Serenity, Valentina, Eliana, and Arianna. Unique four syllable girl names we recommend include Acadia, Araminta, Carolina, Felicity, and Isadora. Here, our full list of four syllable names for girls. The top names below rank among the current US Top 1000 Baby Names and are ordered by popularity. Unique names rank below the Top 1000 and are listed alphabetically. (Page 412)