100+ Four Syllable Boy Names
- Leonardo
Origin:
Italian and Spanish variation of Leonard, GermanMeaning:
"brave lion"Description:
For centuries this name was associated primarily with the towering figure of Italian Renaissance painter-scientist-inventor Leonardo da Vinci, and was scarcely used outside the Latin culture.
- Antonio
Origin:
Spanish and Italian variation of AnthonyMeaning:
"from Antium"Description:
Antonio is a Shakespearean favorite -- the Bard used it in no less than five of his plays, and has long been a ubiquitous classic in Spanish-speaking countries, where the nickname Tonio is also prevalent. Antonio is also among an elite group of perennially popular names in the US, where it has always been among the boys' Top 1000 since baby name record-keeping started in 1880.
- Montgomery
Origin:
NormanMeaning:
"man power"Description:
This image of this distinguished Anglo-Scottish surname, drawn from the French place name of the ancient castle of Saint Foi de Montgomery, is rapidly shifting from fusty and formal to cool. And dashing short form Monty (or Monte) nudges it to cute.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Thelonious
Origin:
Latinized variation of German Tillman, “one who plows the earth”Description:
One of the coolest of names, thanks to legendary jazz pianist Thelonious Sphere Monk, who inherited this Latin-sounding German name from his father. It has been used very sparingly since the 1960's, with just a sprinkling of baby boys receiving the name each year, though it's one of the unique baby names we predict will get much less unique as more parents embrace its quirky charms.
- Odysseus
Origin:
Greek mythology nameMeaning:
"wrathful"Description:
The name of the brave, resourceful hero of Homer's epic saga has almost always been considered too weighty for a child to bear, but at this point, some brave, resourceful parents out there might be willing to take it on.
- Leonidas
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"lion"Description:
Leonidas is an ancient name that has started rising again along with centuries-old names such as Augustus and Cato. The original Leonidas was the most famous of Sparta's warriors, sacrificing his life at the Battle of Thermopylae; there is also a saint Leonidas.
- Emmanuel
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"God is with us"Description:
Emmanuel--spelled with one or two 'm's'-- was popular with early Jewish immigrants, until overused nickname Manny caused it to fade. Now, this important biblical name is being revived in its full glory.
- 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.
- Cerulean
Origin:
Color nameMeaning:
"deep sky-blue"Description:
Cerulean is just beginning to be heard as a name thanks to its distinctive sounds and the appealing electric-sky-blue it evokes. Reminiscent of Ocean, Aurelian, Cyrus, and Caspian, it was given to just 6 babies in 2023, but that could change in coming years.
- Olivier
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"olive tree"Description:
More and more frequently heard as the Gallic version of Oliver, Olivier could be seen as a tribute to the great British actor, Sir Laurence O.
- Alessandro
Origin:
Italian variation of AlexanderMeaning:
"defending men"Description:
For anyone seeking a more unusual version of Alexander, this is a real winner.
- Valentino
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"strength, health"Description:
A dashing, dramatic and romantic Italian surname, associated with early movie heartthrob Rudolph, and later with Italian fashion designer Valentino (Garavani). Also the name of an early Roman saint, whose feast day marks the beginning of spring. Ricky Martin chose it for one of his twin boys.
- 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.
- 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.
- Theophilus
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"friend of God"Description:
This is a multi-syllabic New Testament relic that could be yet another fresh way to get to Theo. In the beginning of Luke's gospel, he dedicates his words to Theophilus.
- Ebenezer
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"stone of help"Description:
Ebenezer is the name of a biblical place --the stone set up by Samuel to mark his victory over the Philistines--rather than a person. It was adopted by the British Puritans as a first name and then exported to America, where it had some early popularity, even entering the Top 1000 in the 1880s.
- Endymion
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"dive into, enter"Description:
The name of a mythically handsome youth – loved by Selene, the moon, who bore him fifty daughters.