Four Syllable Names for Girls

Josephina is a feminine form of Joseph, ultimately derived from the Hebrew name Yosef, meaning 'God will add' or 'God will increase.' This elegant variation combines the biblical gravitas of Joseph with a distinctly feminine ending. Popular in Spanish-speaking countries as Josefina, the Josephina spelling is less common but maintains the same melodic quality. The name offers versatile nickname options including Jo, Josie, Fina, or Phina. While not ranking among top names in the US or UK, Josephina appeals to parents seeking a traditional yet distinctive name with religious roots and cross-cultural appeal.

Josephina

Nazaria is a feminine form of the Latin Nazarius, a Late Roman name denoting someone from the town of Nazareth, notable for being the home of Jesus in Christian tradition. Used predominantly among Spanish speakers, it is also a Catholic saint name, borne by St. Nazaria Ignacia March Mesa.


Nazaria

This name of the Cretan goddess of fertility is most popular now as the more melodic Ariana, but Ariadne has possibilities of its own. It first entered the US Top 1000 in 2014. The renewed interest in the name falls in line with the revival of other mythological names like Apollo and Athena. The trendy nickname Ari doesn't hurt either.
 In Greek mythology, she was the daughter of Minus who gave Theseus the thread by which he escaped from the labyrinth. After being deserted by him, she married Dionysus, the god of fertility, wine and drama

Ariadne

Daenerys is yet another girls' name invented by "Game of Thrones" author George R. R. Martin that is beginning to gain some traction in real life. Daenerys was used for 67 baby girls in 2013 while one of the character's titles, Khaleesi, was given to 241 baby girls. And the name Arya, also from the hyper-popular series, is one of the fastest growing <a href="https://nameberry.com/girls-names">girls' names</a> in the country.

Daenerys

Rosemarie had its moment in the sun back in the middle of the last century, when parents were looking for new ways to recycle traditional family names. So a child might combine her two grandma's names and become Rosemarie (or Annmarie or Maryjean), but these combination names feel dated now.

 Rosemarie may also be a spelling spin on the botanical name Rosemary, which comes from a different etymological root (and means "dew of the sea").

 The meaning of Marie is uncertain, but theories include "drop of the sea" (from Hebrew roots mar "drop" and yam "sea"); "bitter" (from Hebrew marah "bitterness"); and "beloved" (from the Egyptian root mr).

Rosemarie

Its mellifluous sound makes Leonora--which has a rich history and a tie to the popular Leo names-- a keen possibility for revival. Though it's been hiding below the Top 1000 since the 1940s, Leonora is being rediscovered by stylish parents in the US and Europe.
Leonora has the distinction of being three major opera characters, including the heroines of Beethoven's Fidelio and Verdi's Il Trovatore. It was also the name of two characters played by Elizabeth Taylor--in Secret Ceremony and Reflections in a Golden Eye.
Leonora Carrington was a notorious British-born surrealist artist and writer who lived most of her life in Mexico.
Related names include Leonore, Lenora and Lenore, subject of a famous Edgar Allan Poe poem.

Leonora

Lyrical choice with an ornamental H — a common phenomenon among Puerto Rican names.

Alahia

Dorothea is a romantic Victorian-sounding name that blends elegance, gravitas and a hint of clunkiness too. Popular in the early decades of the twentieth century, it has been off the charts since 1970, however it's definitely on the brink of a revival! In fact, it has already been making its way back into the UK Top 1000, and a recent year saw it given to 90 girls in the US — three times the number it was given to a decade prior. 
 
A relative of Dorothy, Theodore, and Theodora, Dorothea is comprised of the same Greek elements, doron and theos, meaning "gift" and "god". It has has a long literary history, including as a clever and beautiful character in Don Quixote and the intelligent and generous heroine of George Eliot's Middlemarch.
 Worthy namesakes include Dorothea Dix, nineteenth century activist for the mentally ill and Civil War nurse, and the influential documentary photographer Dorothea Lange, known for her moving portraits taken during the Great Depression. It is also a saint name, borne by Dorothea of Alexandria, Dorothea of Caesarea (the patron saint of florists), and Dorothea of Montau (saint and visionary). 
 Appealing nickname possibilities include Dorrie, Dolly, Doro, Dodie, Dot, Dottie and Thea, while international variants include the Spanish Dorotea, the Czech and Polish Dorota, and the Hungarian Dorina.
 
In English, the name would likely be pronounced as dawr-uh-THEE-uh, while in German, it is said as do-ro-TEH-a

Dorothea

Original form of the more familiar Calliope, the muse of epic poetry. A calliope is a musical instrument sometimes called the steam organ, frequently found on carousels. With its rhythmic sound, this is one name that embodies its meaning.

Kalliope

The Russian version of Katherine is usually Ekaterina, but this form is used throughout Eastern Europe and may be more friendly to the American ear.

Katarina

Oriana is a dashing medieval name, with a meaning similar to Aurora. At this point, though, Oriana is much more unusual than Aurora and makes a unique choice if you're searching for <a href="https://nameberry.com/list/316/baby-names-that-mean-new-beginnings?all=1">names that mean new beginnings</a> or dawn. Strong and evocative, Oriana also has an admirable literary resume. In medieval tales, she was the beloved of the knight Amadis, she appears in at least three seventeenth century plays, and there is an early Tennyson poem called The Ballad of Oriana. Oriana was also sometimes used to refer to Queen Elizabeth I. Oriana Fallaci was a feminist Italian journalist who interviewed many world leaders in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s.

Oriana

Amaria is one of those rare names that sounds like a familiar and well-known choice. Part of this is done to its similarity to the likes of Amara, Amelia, Maria, and Aria, but another factor is it its multicultural roots. 
 
As an English name, it could be considered an elaboration of the Igbo Amara, meaning "grace" or an elaboration of classic Maria, meaning "bitter, beloved or drop of the sea". As an Arabic name, it could come from Ammar, meaning "to live long and thrive" or possible Amira, meaning "princess, ruler". 
 
From it's Hebrew origins, it could be a form of the masculine name Amariah, now considered unisex in the US. In this case, it would mean "Yahweh has said". There's also the possibility that it comes from the Greek Amaryllis or Maira, with the glittery meaning "to sparkle".
 
Other sources suggest it comes from the Sanskrit and Hindi Amariya, meaning "eternal" or from the Spanish and Portuguese name Amaro, meaning "bitter".
 
Given to around 110 girls in a recent year, it is currently outside the US Top 1000.

Amaria

Inspired by several, similar-but-different Hawaiian names, Kaelani is an up-and-coming choice, three times more popular than it was a decade ago. Given to more than 130 babies in 2023, Kaelani ranks below the Top 1000 choices: Kailani, Kahlani, Kehlani, Kalani, Keilani, and Kaylani,
 
Influencer Kaelani Skye might have drawn more attention to the spelling and it might also be boosted up by the newfound popularity of Kaeli.

Kaelani

Parents finding Olivia too popular first turned to Alivia and then went further with Alyvia.  But making the spelling different does not improve on the original.  If you love Olivia, name your daughter Olivia.

Alyvia

A sparky and feminine elaboration on Gracia, Spanish for "grace".

Graciela

Unusual yet accessible Hawaiian choice. The Noel beginning makes it a possible <a href="https://nameberry.com/list/412/christmas-baby-names">name for baby girls born at Christmas</a>.

Noelani

Analiyah is a feminine name that represents a modern blend of popular naming elements. It likely combines the prefix 'Ana' (meaning 'grace' in Hebrew) with the popular '-liyah' ending inspired by names like Aaliyah. This contemporary creation follows the trend of melodious, multi-syllabic girls' names with flowing sounds and distinctive spellings. While relatively new in the naming landscape, Analiyah has gained modest popularity in the United States since the early 2000s. The name carries a lyrical quality when spoken and offers multiple nickname possibilities. Parents might be drawn to Analiyah for its unique character while still echoing familiar naming patterns, creating something distinctive yet accessible for their daughter.

Analiyah

Sweet and bright international form of Josephine, used in many European countries with various pronunciations of the initial J. A notable bearer is Josefina "Joey" Guerrero, a Filipina spy during World War II.

Josefina

Margarita is an international form of Margaret that shares its meaning of "pearl", but also directly translates to "daisy" in Spanish and Greek. Despite being widely associated with the alcoholic beverage in English, it has a long history of use in Spanish, Greek and several Slavic languages — most notably being the name of the heroine of Mikhail Bulgakov's 1966 novel Master and Margarita.

Margarita

Similar to but distinct from Samara, this pretty name was chosen for his daughter by rapper LL Cool J. It's the name of an ancient Palestinian city, located in present-day Jordan, and is associated with the Biblical story of "The Good Samaritan" who came from Samaria. Derived from shamar meaning "to guard" this name was chosen for 100 girls in 2023 in the US.

Samaria

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 8)