Four Syllable Names for Boys

The origins of Lucentio are a bit hazy — it's possible Shakespeare invented the name for his play The Taming of the Shrew, where Lucentio ends up marrying Bianca. However, it may have been an obscure Italian variation of Lucentius, existing before Shakespeare's time.

Often shortened to Emeka, as in basketball player Emeka Okafor.

A more modern form of Eleutherios, meaning "free".

Belisario is romantic, dashing, but perhaps a bit too elaborate. You might consider Belisario a masculine twist on the popular Belle names for girls.

The great pre-Renaissance painter known as Fra Angelico was actually born Guido di Pietro, but his nom d'art might work for your little angel.

Adventurous word choice, but still quite a burden for a child to bear.

Volcano name for an active, bubbly child -- but be careful -- volcanoes do erupt.

Notorious debuted on the charts for boys in 1995, at the height of The Notorious B.I.G.'s career.

Traditional Alexander meets spunky Zander, and confuses everyone it encounters. Just stick with the timeless classic to avoid a lifetime of irritations.

As a first name, Basquiat is used as in honor of Jean-Michel Basquiat, the neoexpressionist whose art touched on themes of race, wealth disparity, and humanism.

Biblical names are expanding (literally) as some parents move on from Isaiah and Elijah to more elaborate choices with simple short forms like Jed and Zeb.

One of the most unusual of the "iah" names, it comes with the appealing and usable nickname Zev.

Commonly shortened to Sakari, which may have broader appeal.