100+ Four Syllable Boy Names
- Zachariah
Origin:
Hebrew, form of ZechariahMeaning:
"the Lord has remembered"Description:
This distinguished name still feels a bit ancient, but with the rise of such former graybeards as Jeremiah and Elijah, it also sounds child-friendly again, as does the Latin-Greek form Zacharias.
- Aurelio
Origin:
Italian; Spanish, variation of AureliusMeaning:
"the golden one"Description:
Aurelio is an energetic Italian name rarely heard in the US, with an attractive aura. As the female version Aurelia gains greater notice, we expect to hear more from Aurelio too. In fact, Aurelio has recently entered the Top 1000 in the US in 2022. Next to follow might be latinate versions Aurelius and Aurelian.
- Salvatore
Origin:
Italian variation of SalvatorMeaning:
"savior"Description:
For every Tio Salvador in a Latino family, there's a Zio Salvatore in an Italian one. Having always ranked in the US Top 1000, it is in danger of falling off the charts very soon.
- Horatio
Origin:
English variation of Latin HoratiusMeaning:
"hour, time"Description:
Like Horace, Horatio is a variation on the Latin Horatius, but its Shakespearean and optimistic Horatio Alger pedigree makes it an attractive up-and-comer, especially with its cool final o. A modern reference is the charismatic TV character Horatio Caine played by David Caruso in CSI: Miami.
- Indiana
Origin:
American place-nameMeaning:
"land of the Indians"Description:
This state name emerged in the eighties along with westerners Dakota and Montana, and it's still used occasionally by high-profile parents such as Summer Phoenix and Casey Affleck. Action man Indiana Jones (played by Harrison Ford) makes Indiana "Indy" forever cool for a boy.
- Amadeus
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"lover of God"Description:
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's middle name could make an interesting pick for music-loving parents--if only in middle place. Amadeus is the title of a Peter Shaffer play which became an award-winning film in 1984.
- Acacius
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"thorny; or, innocent, not evil"Description:
Acacius is a Latinized form of the Ancient Greek Akakios and can be interpreted to relate to the same root as the name Acacia, for the thorn bush, or Akakios which means "not evil." With the modern taste for ancient names that end in "us," this obscure but attractive choice may have a chance of new life. Acacius is the name of three early saints.
- 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.
- Demetrius
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"follower of Demeter"Description:
Classical and Shakespearean name that may appeal if you like your names long, flowing and multicultural.
- Aurelian
Origin:
English form of Aurelius, LatinMeaning:
"golden one"Description:
Aurelian is an ancient name gaining contemporary visibility along with many other forms of the Ancient Roman Aurelius, including Aurelia and Aurelio.
- 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,
- Luciano
Origin:
Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese variation of LucianMeaning:
"light"Description:
A vibrant, operatic choice with plenty of flair and plenty of familiarity too. Popular in Italy, Chile, Uruguay, and Brazil, it also ranks in the Top 500 in France and the US. Operatic tenor Luciano Pavarotti and football manager Luciano Spalletti are two notable bearers
- Valerian
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"strength, health"Description:
This name of a Roman emperor and of a sedating plant is still used quietly, given to about a dozen baby boys in the US last year. It has a strong, rhythmic sound and could make a modern-feeling honor name for grandma Valerie.
- 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".
- Jebediah
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"beloved friend"Description:
Like its better known cousin Jedidiah, Jebediah is one of those four-syllable Old Testament names that is being shorn of its long white-bearded image, with the help of its modern-sounding Jeb nickname.
- 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.
- Octavius
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"eighth"Description:
Octavius, which was at one time used for the eighth child in a family, has the worn leather patina of all the ancient Roman names now up for reconsideration. As a Roman family name, it derives from the uncommon forename Octavus, which designated an eighth son.
- Octavian
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"eighth"Description:
With the rise of ancient Roman names, Octavian suddenly seem plausible again. A variation of Octavius and relative of the more modern Octavio, it's an equally attractive member of the trio.
- Hezekiah
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"God gives strength"Description:
This name of an influential Old Testament king of Judah is one that would challenge even the most adventurous biblical name-seeker, but it does have the modernizing short forms Zeke or Kiah.
- 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.
