Four Syllable Names for Girls
- Cesaria
Origin:
Feminization of Cesar, LatinMeaning:
"head of hair"Description:
Cesaria, a modern feminine form of Caesar or the Latinate Cesar, has been obscure in the Western World but may stir to life along with other names that have their roots in ancient Rome. Cesarina, Cesarie, and Cesarea are other options.
- Kasiani
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"cinnamon"Description:
Kasiani, also spelled Kassiani or Cassiane, is an ancient Greek name best known as the name of a saint famous as a hymnographer. The Hymn of Kasiani, traditionally sung on Tuesday of Easter Week in the Greek Orthodox Church, is associated with fallen women. The 9th century saint Kasiani was supposed to be in love with the Emperor Theophilos, who rejected her when she proved to be more intelligent than he.
- Fiametta
Origin:
ItalianMeaning:
"little flame"Description:
Fiametta is the pseudonym Italian Renaissance writer Bocaccio gave to his muse in his writing; her real name was most likely Maria d'Aquino. It was also the title of a ballet in the 19th century. This is one of the unusual but not inaccessible Italian names for girls; you can make it even more user-friendly with the cute nicknames Fia or Etta.
- Aliena
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"foreign"Description:
This is a name used as a pseudonym by Celia in Shakespeare's As You Like It to conceal her real identity. It was later seen as a character in the Ken Follett novel Pillars of the Earth. Can also be spelled Alienna, taking it further away from the alien connection.
- Kyriaki
Origin:
Feminization of Kyriakos or word name, GreekMeaning:
"of the lord; Sunday"Description:
Kyriaki is the feminine variation of Kyriakos, derived from the Greek word kyrios, meaning "lord." It is also the Greek word for Sunday, meaning it doubles up as a word name.
- Amabella
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"lovable"Description:
Amabella is an elaboration of Amabel, a popular medieval name. Neil Gaiman and Liane Moriarty used Amabella as a character name in their novels, The Graveyard Book and Big Little Lies, respectively.
- Hilaria
Origin:
Latin, SpanishMeaning:
"cheerful"Description:
Hilaria, the ancient Roman form of Hilary also given to joyous festivals, is still used in Spain and Poland, while the intriguing Italian version is Ilaria. A notable current bearer is fitness expert and wife of Alec, Hilaria Baldwin, who was born Hillary.
- Eucleia
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"good repute, glory"Description:
In Greek Mythology, Eucleia was the spirit of glory and good repute. She was a member of the younger Charites.
- Maleficent
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"causing harm"Description:
Disney turned Maleficent into a name in 1959, when it was used for the "Mistress of All Evil" in the film Sleeping Beauty. Prior to that, maleficent was a word meaning "causing harm," the antonym of beneficent. Its similarities to the familiar name Millicent made it an apt choice for the iconic Disney villain.
- Benedetta
Origin:
Italian variation of Benedicta, LatinMeaning:
"blessed"Description:
The saintly Italian form of the saintly Latin Benedicta.
- Lillianna
Origin:
Spelling variation of LilianaDescription:
A variant of the more popular Liliana, Lillianna is an elaboration of the name "Lily".
- Chimamanda
Origin:
IgboMeaning:
"my God will never fail"Description:
Made most familiar in English-speaking countries by prize-winning author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Chimamanda has a wonderful meaning and can be shortened to Chima or the spunky Chi. In 2022, it entered the UK Top 100 for the first time, when 38 baby girls were given the name.
- Evangelia
- Meridian
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"midday / pinnacle"Description:
In geography, a meridian is a line drawn around the curve of the Earth between the North and South Poles. The term comes from Latin meridianus, meaning "pertaining to midday", and the association with midday has led to the word gaining an added figurative meaning of "pinnacle; culmination".
- Rosalita
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"little rose"Description:
A pretty and lively diminutive form of Rosalia.
- Gabisile
Origin:
Bantu, Zulu, XhosaMeaning:
"has made people envious, but they won't get it"Description:
Intriguing and rare South African name.
- Ysabeau
Origin:
Spelling variation of IsabeauDescription:
Ysabeau is a rare variation of Isabeau, itself a French variant of Isabel. Despite its relation to the uber-popular Isabella, the several degrees of removal make Ysabeau a long shot for the twenty-first century.
- Pretoria
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"official"Description:
Pretoria is a city in the northern part of Gauteng Province, South Africa, named after its founder Marthinus Pretorius. The surname derives from from Latin praetor meaning "leader, official".
- Michelina
Origin:
Italian diminutive of Michele, feminine form of Michael, HebrewMeaning:
"who is like God"Description:
Michelina Matelli was a wealthy Italian woman who became a nun. She was made Saint Michelina in the 1700s.
- Emelina