1798 Four Letter Girl Names

Heda is a feminine name with Slavic origins, particularly found in Czech and Slovak cultures. It's often considered a diminutive of Hedvika, the Slavic form of Hedwig, which means 'combat' or 'battle' combined with 'refuge' in Germanic origins. In some contexts, Heda may also be linked to the Old Norse name meaning 'brightness' or 'light.' While not widely used internationally, it maintains a steady presence in Eastern European countries, appreciated for its brevity and soft sound. The name carries connotations of strength and brightness, with a delicate femininity that makes it distinctive yet accessible.

Olga variant without the Russian spirit.

Although very rarely used for girls, its soft, gentle sound makes it a perfect candidate for crossing over to the female camp.

Ulya is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In Russian, it's a diminutive form of Uliana (the Russian variation of Juliana), carrying meanings of 'youthful' or 'downy-bearded' from its Latin roots. In Turkish and some Middle Eastern contexts, Ulya means 'sublime' or 'most high,' derived from Arabic origins. The name also appears in Hungarian as a variation of Júlia. With its flowing sound and simple two-syllable structure, Ulya has a delicate, feminine quality that crosses cultural boundaries. Though relatively uncommon in Western countries, it has modest usage across Eastern Europe, Russia, and parts of the Middle East. The name offers an accessible yet distinctive option for parents seeking a name with international versatility and a gentle, melodic quality.

Zain is a name usually given to boys -- nearly 500 with this spelling alone in the US in one recent year, vs. only 20 girls. But CNN newswoman Zain Asher, sister of actor Chiwetel Ejiofor, is a noted female bearer and may inspire more baby girl Zains.

Arce was the twin sister of the Greek rainbow goddess Iris. Arce is often associated with the seldom-seen, faded second rainbow. She had iridescent wings, which Zeus eventually took off her after she betrayed the Gods of Olympus. The character is lovely, but Arce is likely to be mispronounced in English in a very unhelpful way. If you fancy this name we suggest you go with the alternate spelling Arke.

Cira is a feminine name with ancient roots and cross-cultural presence. In Greek, it relates to 'kyrios' meaning 'lord' or 'master,' while in Latin contexts it may connect to 'Circe,' the enchantress from Homer's Odyssey. The name also appears in Italian heritage, possibly as a short form of Cipriana. With just two syllables, Cira offers a concise yet melodic sound that works well internationally. The name combines classical origins with a contemporary feel, making it both timeless and modern. Though relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries, Cira remains an elegant choice for parents seeking a name with historical depth, cross-cultural appeal, and a distinctive but accessible quality.

Actress Mena Suvari (named after an Egyptian hotel) made this name seem especially appealing. Mena is also a minor Roman goddess of fertility.

Pola is an international name that still bears the femme fatalish air of Polish-born silent screen vamp Pola Negri, whole birth name was Apolonia. Rarely used, she could join sisters Lola and Nola.

This Hindu goddess name has a powerful heritage plus lively sound with a devilish edge. If you're enchanted by goddess names but want to set your little girl apart from all the Lunas and Athenas in the playground, consider Devi.

Erva is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In Turkish, it means 'honey' or 'sweet,' while in Finnish contexts it's associated with liveliness and energy. The name also appears in Portuguese-speaking regions with varied meanings. This short, distinctive name has a gentle sound with its soft consonants and open ending. Erva remains relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries, making it an distinctive choice for parents seeking something simple yet unique. The name's brevity makes it easy to pronounce across languages, though its spelling might occasionally be confused with Erza or Eva. Despite its rarity, Erva has a timeless quality that works well in contemporary naming trends that favor short, vowel-rich names for girls.

Juba, a strong and resonant unisex name, belonged to an ancient African king, is a city and river name, and is traditionally given to Ashanti (of Ghana) girls born on Monday.

The Akan people of Ghana and the Ivory Coast frequently name their children after the day of the week they were born and the order in which they were born. Most Ghanaians have a name using this system.

Babs is an old-fashioned nickname for Barbara, itself an old-fashioned name that was hugely popular in the 20th century but that's not (yet) on its way back in. If you really want a vintage-y nickname name with a lot of attitude that bucks the current friends, go for Babs instead of Betty or Bea.

Arke was the twin sister of the Greek rainbow goddess Iris. Arke is often associated with the seldom-seen, faded second rainbow. She had iridescent wings, which Zeus eventually took off her after she betrayed the Gods of Olympus. Arke can also be spelled Arce, but given the unfortunate mispronunciation that the 'c' spelling could lead to, we recommend you stick with this spelling.

Mell is a feminine name with multiple possible origins. It can be a short form of names like Melanie (Greek for 'dark' or 'black') or Melissa (Greek for 'honeybee'). It might also derive from the Old English 'mel' meaning 'mill,' originally used as a surname for someone who worked at a mill. As a standalone name, Mell is quite uncommon, offering a simple, sweet alternative to more popular names. The double 'l' spelling distinguishes it from the more commonly seen 'Mel.' The name's brevity gives it a modern feel, while its potential connections to nature (honey) or industry (mill) provide subtle depth. Mell's simplicity makes it easily pronounceable across different languages and cultures.

Nula is a feminine name with Celtic origins, primarily found in Ireland and Scotland. It's a variant of Fionnuala (sometimes spelled Finola), which means 'fair shoulder' or 'white shoulder' in Gaelic. The name appears in Irish mythology—Fionnuala was one of the Children of Lir who were transformed into swans. Nula offers a simplified, more accessible version of the traditional name while maintaining its Celtic heritage. The name has a gentle, flowing quality with its soft consonants and open vowel sounds. While not widely used in English-speaking countries outside of Ireland and Scotland, Nula appeals to parents seeking a name with authentic Celtic roots that's also brief and easy to pronounce. Its relative rarity makes it a distinctive choice with authentic cultural connections.

The modern name Dena can be considered to come from either of two Old Testament names. Adina, which means delicate, was the name of a male soldier in the Bible. Dinah, meaning judged, Dinah was the daughter of Jacob and Leah. Dena is a common name in Amish communities.

Gili is a concise, melodic feminine name with multicultural origins. In Hebrew, it means 'my joy' or 'happiness,' making it a meaningful choice that conveys positivity. The name also appears in Indonesian culture, where it refers to small islands (particularly the Gili Islands near Bali), giving it geographical significance. In Hindi, Gili can mean 'wet' or 'moist,' associated with fertility and life. This short, two-syllable name is appealing for its simplicity, international pronunciation, and bright, uplifting sound. While relatively uncommon in Western countries, Gili has gained modest popularity among parents seeking short, meaningful names with cross-cultural appeal. Its brevity makes it practical while its multicultural roots give it depth and versatility, appealing to families with diverse backgrounds or global perspectives.