4 Letter Girl Names

Essa is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In Arabic, it's a variation of Isa (the Arabic form of Jesus) and means 'God is salvation.' In Irish contexts, Essa derives from the Gaelic 'os' meaning 'deer' or possibly as a diminutive of Esther. In some South Asian cultures, particularly in Pakistan and India, Essa appears as both a feminine and masculine name. The name remains relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries, making it a distinctive choice. Its brevity and melodic quality with soft consonants give it an appealing, gentle sound while maintaining a unique character. Essa has seen modest usage in recent decades without becoming mainstream, appealing to parents seeking a simple yet uncommon name with multicultural resonance.

Essa

Eyra

Febe is primarily a feminine name derived from the Greek name Phoebe (Φοίβη), meaning "bright" or "pure." In Greek mythology, Phoebe was a Titaness associated with the moon and prophecy, and the name was later mentioned in the New Testament as a Christian woman in the early church. Febe represents the spelling used in several European languages, including Italian, Spanish, and Dutch, where the 'ph' in Phoebe is replaced with 'f' following local phonetic patterns. While less common than the Phoebe spelling in English-speaking countries, Febe offers a simplified, international variation with the same classical origins. The name has a gentle, flowing quality with its two syllables and soft consonants.

Febe

Giah

A male name in Wales, Gwyn has been mostly feminine in the US thanks to its resemblance to the more familiar Gwen. It derives from the same Celtic root as the popular Finn family of names.

Gwyn

Haze

Hela, another name for Hel, is the Norse goddess of death and the underworld. The Hela form has been appropriated by Marvel for its goddess of death.

Hela

Remove a letter from Holly and you get a religious virtue name. It first appeared on the charts in the 1970s, but more consistently in the 2010s.

Holy

A trimmer version of Riley, Miley, Kylie, et al., used by model Coco Rocha for her daughter in 2020.

Iley

Illa is a delicate feminine name with diverse cultural roots. It may derive from Latin-based languages where 'illa' means 'she' or 'that,' giving it a simple yet profound feminine essence. In some Scandinavian contexts, it could be connected to Ilse or related to elements meaning 'to shine.' Illa also appears in Sanskrit-influenced cultures where it refers to 'earth' or 'speech.' The name's brevity gives it a minimalist appeal that works well cross-culturally. Despite its ancient origins, Illa has a modern, streamlined quality that feels contemporary. The name remains uncommon in most English-speaking countries, appealing to parents seeking a short, distinctive name that's easy to pronounce across languages while carrying rich cultural significance.

Illa

Ing was a powerful Norse god whose name inspired several modern variations -- though Inga has become a caricatured Scandinavian choice. 

Inga

Isia

Many variations of Jessica, including Jessie and Jessa, are used on their own, but Jess is an exception, given to only a handful of baby girls last year. But Jess is certainly the name that many Jessicas are called.

Jess

Joon

Kade is shown here as a feminine name, though it has traditionally been more common for boys. It has multiple possible origins, including being a short form of names like Kaden/Caden (from Welsh meaning "battle") or deriving from the Old English word for a barrel maker. As a feminine choice, Kade represents the growing trend of adopting traditionally masculine or surname-style names for girls. The name has a strong, concise sound with its single syllable and crisp consonants. Its simplicity makes it easy to pronounce and spell while still feeling contemporary. While still relatively uncommon for girls, Kade offers parents seeking a gender-neutral option a name with both strength and modern appeal, fitting well with current naming trends that favor short, punchy names that work across gender lines.

Kade

Kala

Klea was not used in ancient times, but can probably be connected to the Ancient Greek name Kleio, one of the nine Muses in mythology, and of couse also to Cleo. Meaning "glory", these names are distantly related to the Latin Clara.
 
Although rare, Klea doesn't feel too out there, and makes a perfect similar-yet-different alternative to names like Thea, Claire, and Kaia. 
 
A popular choice in Albania during the 2000s, Klea might also be considered an Albanian short form of Kleopatra.

Klea

Kory was always the least-used version of this name, which was always used less often for girls than for boys. As Corey and Cory, the name still hangs on in the boys' Top 1000, but Kory dropped off the boys' list in 2003 and the C spellings faded for girls in the mid-90s.

Ironically, the classic girls' name Cora, derived from the Greek Kore, is rising quickly in popularity, now in the Top 100 in the US and a favorite of Nameberry visitors. We foresee this name making the Top 10 in the coming decade, so Cory and Kory may find a new life as short forms for newly popular <a href="https://nameberry.com/baby-names/167/greek-names">Greek baby names</a>Cora and sisters.

Kory

Kyia

Lera is a feminine given name with multiple origins. In Slavic countries, it functions as a diminutive of Valeria, meaning 'strength' or 'health.' In Greek contexts, it may relate to names derived from 'Leander,' meaning 'lion-man.' Lera has a simple, elegant sound with just two syllables, making it easily pronounceable across many languages. While never reaching widespread popularity in English-speaking countries, the name maintains a steady presence in Eastern European regions. Lera has a timeless quality that works well across generations. The name's brevity gives it a modern feel despite its classical roots, potentially appealing to parents seeking something simple yet distinctive.

Lera

, one of the top names for girls not only in the US but around the world.

, other four letter names for girls in the US Top 100 include 

, the most-used girl name of all time, also contains four letters, as do such classics as 



Unique four letter names for girls we recommend include 



Browse our entire collection of four letter names for girls below, ordered by their current popularity on Nameberry. 

Four Letter Girl Names, with origin, meanings, and popularity, including top four letter girl names Emma and Luna and unique four letter girl names Echo and Romy (Page 48)

1798 Four Letter Girl Names