Four Syllable Names for Girls

Marcellina is one feminine form of the names derived from the ancient Roman Marcellus. There was a Saint Marcellina who was a 4th century virgin and the only sister of Saint Ambrose.

Although this name literally means disaster, the use of Calamity as a descriptor of Martha Jane Cannery, aka Calamity Jane, was meant to signal that she was a good person to have in troubled times. Calamity Jane was well regarded as a frontierswoman and nurse, someone who was said to be extremely generous and compassionate to the sick and troubled.. Calamity's connection to the American West gives this a roguish name a sort of windswept charm about it. Indeed, the most controversial aspect of this name is its connection to the frontier wars that led to the dispossession of Native American peoples.

Dulcibella is an old name that's fallen into disuse but may rise again with the new wave of fashionable names that end in -bel, -belle, and -bella. Behind the Name says that the medieval form of the name was the Dowsabel, which we definitely do not see making a comeback. But Dulcibel or Dulcibelle could work.

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.

Petronilla is an ancient saint's name that relates to the Roman family name Petronius, thought to mean yokel or woodpecker, though some connect it with Petra or Peter, meaning stone. With the resurgence of so many ancient Roman names, the elaborate and pretty Petronilla or its French form Petronille seem more usable these days than they have in centuries.

A name invented for a fairy in the Disney Tinker Bell series, played by Raven-Symoné.

In Greek mythology, the Elysian Fields was the final resting place of righteous souls. Elysian falls under two current trends — spiritual names and mythological names — and could easily be a hit in years to come.

This lovely compound name blends two of the most stylish girl names of the moment. The result has a pretty and sophisticated sound, reminiscent of stylish rarities like Evelina.

Fatima, a popular Muslim name, was a daughter of Muhammad and one of the four perfect women of the Quran. Fatoumata and its short form Fatou are West African variations.

Lacks the vintage charm of the original Arabella, but with the love for all names Bella, it might appeal to some.

The name of a cluster of stars in the constellation Vela, also known as Delta Velorum.

Alabama is a hot southern place-name, picking up from Georgia and Savannah. This is not a geographical name come lately, though--there have been girls named Alabama dating back well over a century.

A rarely heard name that was the title of a hugely popular Big Band song in the forties. Amapola, with the emphasis on the third syllable, is one flower name that has not been widely discovered.

Spelled Alastríona in its native language, this Irish cousin of Alexandra is little-known but fairly intuitive.

Stylish and dramatic, a la Donatella Versace.

A daisy-esque flower, although chamomile is much more commonly associated with the tea that's made from it.

Now that the range of names including the modern Emmeline and Amelia -- relatives of each other, but of neither Emily nor Emma -- has become so fashionable, the original root name Amelina is also due up for reconsideration. A lovely, delicate choice, its main disadvantage is that it sounds like a modern elaboration rather than the original name. And perhaps that it will be so often misspelled and mistaken for other forms of itself. But it is a lovely name with deep roots.

A lot of parents claim to want a name that's different, but if you really do, Aquilina, modern-feeling but based on an ancient favorite, would be one good choice.

Both rhythmic and serene, Serenella is one of the Italian names for girls virtually unknown in the US but definitely usable. An unusual route to Ella as a short form?

Princess-y but not overly fussy, thanks to the classic simplicity of Emma, Emmalina is a sweet, bright alternative to Emilia. The meaning can vary depending on if you see it as an elaboration of Emmeline or a compound name of Emma and Carolina or Lina".