Four Syllable Names for Boys
- Sable
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"animal name"Description:
Sable is often associated with the Dynsaty soap opera, but it is actually a type of animal historically hunted for its fur. Sable is also used as a word for a warm, rich black color. Both associations carry hints of luxury.
- Ariki
Origin:
MaoriMeaning:
"chief"Description:
An ariki is a member of a hereditary noble rank in Māori culture, the highest in status and seniority. Ariki, and its variant Te Ariki, were the most popular Māori names for baby boys in Aotearoa (New Zealand) from 2022-2025.
- Aristotle
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"superior; the best purpose"Description:
The great philosopher's name is commonly used in Greek families, and is one that could work for daring, philosophical American ones. With user friendly nicknames such as Ari, Aris, Artie, and Ris, Aristotle is a ambitious choice, associated with morality, ethics, literature, and psychology.
- Archimedes
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"master planner"Description:
Archimedes of Syracuse was a famous Ancient Greek thinker, especially in the fields of mathematics and sciences. He made important contributions to geometry and calculus. His name was a perfect choice, meaning "master planner" or "master thinker".
- Domenico
Origin:
Spanish, Italian variation of Dominic, LatinMeaning:
"belonging to the Lord"Description:
Romantic and artistic Domenico is ripe for the picking as a relatively rare name that fits in with current favorites such as Leonardo and Emiliano.
- Nicodemus
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"victory of the people"Description:
This rarely used New Testament name could make an unusual route to the cool nickname Nico. Nicodemus (Noddy) Boffin is a character in the Dickens novel Our Mutual Friend.
- Valerio
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"strength, health"Description:
The final o adds a macho touch.
- Zephaniah
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"God has hidden"Description:
A minor prophet who has his own Book, Zephaniah is another Old Testament gem waiting to be rediscovered now that Noah and Abraham are becoming too trendy.
- Valentino
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"strength, health"Description:
A dashing, dramatic and romantic Italian surname, associated with early movie heartthrob Rudolph, and later with Italian fashion designer Valentino (Garavani). Also the name of an early Roman saint, whose feast day marks the beginning of spring. Ricky Martin chose it for one of his twin boys.
- Federico
Origin:
Italian and Spanish variation of FrederickDescription:
If Frederick feels too heavy, the Spanish and Italian has more energy. It's a long-term Top 20 name in Italy, and has neat nicknames like Fredo in Italian and Fede in Spanish. Famous bearers include the Spanish poet Federico García Lorca and the Italian filmmaker Federico Fellini. Further back in history, it was the name of a fifth-century Visigoth leader, the brother of Theodoric II.
- Valerius
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"strength, health"Description:
Valerius is an ancient Roman family name turned first name. While Valerius is more familiar as its derivatives Valerie and Valerian, the rise of Roman names ending in S for boys may inspire a revival of this strong choice.
- Ananias
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"God has given"Description:
Ananias is a New Testament name of three different figures. The two good ones were a high priest and a disciple of Paul. The not good Ananias was the husband of Sapphira who conspired to deceive the apostles and was struck dead.
- Beauregard
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"beautiful gaze"Description:
In the past this was seen as a jokey Southern colonel name, but we have heard of some parents considering it as a path to the likeable Beau.
- Leviticus
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"belonging to the Levites"Description:
Old Testament book way too heavy to carry.
- Huckleberry
Origin:
Word name and literary nameDescription:
Everybody knows Huckleberry Finn, the Mark Twain character named, Twain said, for the 19th century slang term for "humble." A few modern parents have put it on a birth certificate, including "Man Vs. Wild" star Bear Grylls, who, like many parents, will call the boy the much more manageable Huck. It was also the name of a child on TV's West Wing,
- Azarias
Origin:
Hebrew, variation of AzariahMeaning:
"God has helped"Description:
This is another form of the name the angel Raphael assumes for himself when he becomes human. One of the few attractive Biblical names that has not yet been discovered by modern parents, Azarias is certainly ripe for the taking.
- Alabaster
Origin:
Mineral nameDescription:
Alabaster is a white stone that was often used to make sculptures. The name is thought to derive from an Egyptian term al-abaste, which refers to the Egyptian God Bast.
- Rosario
Origin:
ItalianMeaning:
"rosary"Description:
Rosario comes from the Spanish title of the Virgin Mary, Nuestra Señora del Rosario, or "Our Lady of the Rosary", Rosary referring to the vocal and mental prayers in Catholicism, that reflect on the life of Christ and his Mother.
- Meridian
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"midday / pinnacle"Description:
In geography, a meridian is a line drawn around the curve of the Earth between the North and South Poles. The term comes from Latin meridianus, meaning "pertaining to midday", and the association with midday has led to the word gaining an added figurative meaning of "pinnacle; culmination".
- Ozymandias
Origin:
Greek variant of Ramses, EgyptianMeaning:
"begotten by Ra, the Sun God"Description:
Percy Bysshe Shelley got the name for one of his most famous poems -- a sonnet about the insignificance of man's labors in the vastness of time -- from the Greek name for Ancient Egyptian pharaoh Ramesses II.