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Five Syllable Baby Names

Emma Waterhouse
By Emma Waterhouse
Updated Sat Apr 19 2025
Five Syllable Baby Names

Five syllable baby names are a rare and refined bunch, with an elaborate charm and plenty of nickname potential. Long first names provide the perfect balance for a short surname or middle name, and give your child plenty of options as they move through life.

Five syllable names that have ranked near the top of the US charts in recent years include Anastasia and Alexandria for girls and Emiliano and Maximilian for boys. But most five syllable baby names are uncommon or unique, with intriguing options like Apollonia, Cassiopeia, Michelangelo and Napoleone never in the US Top 1000. Four-syllable baby names may prove to be a lot of name for a youngster to carry, but many four-syllable names come with shorter, cuter nicknames. Evangelina may be Evie or Lina, Maximilian can go by Max, and Ozymandias could use the awesome nickname Ozzy. Here is our collection of the best five syllable baby names today, ordered by their current popularity on Nameberry.

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  1. Anastasia

    • Origin:

      Greek, feminine variation of Anastasios

    • Meaning:

      "resurrection"

    • Description:

      Anastasia is the feminine form on Anastasius, a Greek name derived from the word anastasis, meaning "resurrection." It was a common name among early Christians, who often gave it to daughters born around Christmas or Easter. There are handful of saints named Anastasia, including the patron saint of weavers.
  2. Maximilian

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "greatest"

    • Description:

      This name once seemed a bit grand and pompous for an American baby boy, but a significant number of parents are now preferring it as a substantial platform for the nickname Max, among them Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony, who chose it for their twin son.
  3. Alexandria

    • Origin:

      Variation of Alexandra, Greek

    • Meaning:

      "defending men"

    • Description:

      Alexandria turns classic Alexandra into a more distinctive place-name, in both Egypt and Virginia, while also giving it a touchy of frilliness. The name peaked in the 90s when it entered the US Top 100 for the first time, but has since been on decline.
  4. Cassiopeia

    • Origin:

      Greek mythology name

    • Meaning:

      "cassia juice"

    • Description:

      Cassiopeia, the name of a mythological mother who became a stellar constellation, is challenging but intriguing, and has all those softening Cass nicknames available. And with all names Cass-related trending, Cassiopeia may be an unusual route to a stylish name.
  5. Eleonora

    • Origin:

      Italian, German, Dutch, and Polish variation of Eleanor

    • Description:

      Makes a serious name frilly and feminine, which, depending on your viewpoint, might be a good or a bad thing. In this case, we vote good.
  6. Theodosia

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "gift of God"

    • Description:

      This feminine form of Theodosius has long been buried deep in the attic, but might be a good discovery for the parent who wants to move beyond Theodora. Vice President Aaron Burr named a daughter Theodosia ("Dear Theodosia" is a song in the smash musical Hamilton), and it was the birth name of silent screen vamp Theda Bara. Theodosia actually appeared on the US popularity lists in the 1880s and 90s.
  7. Emiliano

    • Origin:

      Italian and Spanish variation of Emil

    • Meaning:

      "rival"

    • Description:

      Emiliano is an appealing Latinate version of Emil, with the same gentle sounds but additional flair. Popular in Chile and Mexico, where it ranks in the Top 20, Emiliano is also a rising name in the US.
  8. Apollonia

    • Origin:

      Feminine variation of Apollo, Greek mythology name

    • Meaning:

      "destroyer"

    • Description:

      This name of a third-century Christian martyr has an romantic, appealing feel in the modern world. It first came to American attention via Prince's love interest in the film Purple Rain.
  9. Evangelina

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "bearer of good news"

    • Description:

      Why is Evangeline so popular -- close to Number 200 in the US -- while Evangelina hasn't charted in the Top 1000 since the early 1950s? The stardom of Evangeline Lilly has something to do with the relative popularity of that form, but Evangelina is just as pretty and romantic but given to only 10% as many baby girls.
  10. Artemisia

    • Origin:

      Greek, variation of Artemis

    • Description:

      You might think Artemisia is the feminine form of the name, but in fact the original Artemis is feminine too, the name of the Greek mythological goddess of the moon. Artemisia Gentileschi was an esteemed Italian Baroque painter, unusual in an era when not many women were acknowledged. Artemisia is also a genus of plants which include sagebrush and tarragon.
  11. Ozymandias

    • Origin:

      Greek variant of Ramses, Egyptian

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  12. Leocadia

    • Origin:

      Spanish

    • Meaning:

      "splendid brightness"

    • Description:

      Leocadia marries a mix of sounds: the strength of a lion, with a rhythmic Latin ending.
  13. Louisiana

    • Origin:

      French place-name

    • Description:

      Louisiana is a geographic spin on the Louise theme. Pretty, if a bit of a syllable overload. Short form Lou or Lulu lightens it.
  14. Theophania

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Description:

      This ancient name, belonging to a Byzantine empress, may be difficult for a modern child to carry, though it can be an original way to get to cute nickname Thea or even Theo or Teddie. The English variation Tiffany may be more wearable, but with a much less elegant image.
  15. Aureliana

    • Origin:

      Feminine variation of Aurelianus, Latin

    • Meaning:

      "the golden one"

    • Description:

      Aureliana is a feminine name with Latin origins, derived from 'aureus' meaning 'golden' or 'gilded.' It's the feminine form of Aurelianus, which was a Roman family name associated with the emperor Aurelian.
  16. Viridiana

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "green"

    • Description:

      Viridiana is a frillier version of the medieval name Viridis, meaning green. Viridiana briefly made it into the top 1000 in the US in the 1990s.
  17. Iphigenia

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "of royal birth"

    • Description:

      In mythology, Iphigenia was sacrificed by her father, Agamemnon -- a difficult legacy to pass on to a daughter, and only one reason the name is hardly ever used.
  18. Emiliana

    • Origin:

      Italian variation of Emily

    • Meaning:

      "rival"

    • Description:

      The enormous popularity of Emily and Emma means that parents will be looking further afield for substitutes -- and this is one of the prettiest.

  19. Desiderio

    • Origin:

      Spanish

    • Meaning:

      "desired one"

    • Description:

      Desiderio was the full name of the Cuban bandleader who famously Loved Lucy. There was also a Saint Desiderio. Major attraction: the great nickname Desi.
  20. Hieronymus

    • Origin:

      German variation of Jerome

    • Meaning:

      "sacred name"

    • Description:

      This cognate of Jerome (of all things), familiar via the Dutch painter of fantastical scenes, H. Bosch, would appeal only to the most audacious, intrepid, attention-seeking baby namer. It is, however, still used in Germany, especially in Catholic Bavaria and in the north German Rhineland.