Four Syllable Names for Boys

  1. Meridian
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "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".
  2. Adagio
    • Origin:

      Italian, musical term
    • Description:

      The literal meaning of Adagio is 'at ease.' Adagio's use for a slow musical passage or ballet is contradicted by its lively sound and feel.
  3. Obsidian
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Description:

      This rarely used boys name is one of the few gem names for a boy. Obsidian is actually a type of volcanic glass, formed when lava cools very quickly. This ultra-cool name might spark a love of volcanoes and geology in a little boy.
  4. 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.
  5. Devereaux
    • Origin:

      French surname
    • Meaning:

      "riverbank"
    • Description:

      Devereaux is familiar to many English speakers as a surname but not as a first. It's a habitational name related to the River Eure in France. Mick Jagger has a son with this name in a different spelling, Deveraux.
  6. Bonaventure
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "good fortune"
    • Description:

      One for the truly adventurous baby namers, or perhaps an unexpected middle name to liven up a more traditional first. But on trend short form Bo does make it feel a little more accessible.
  7. Isaia
    • Valerius
      • Origin:

        Latin
      • Meaning:

        "strength, health"
      • Description:

        Valerius is an ancient Roman family name turned first name. While Valerius is more familiar as its derivatives Valerie and Valerian, the rise of Roman names ending in S for boys may inspire a revival of this strong choice.
    • Donatello
      • Origin:

        Latin
      • Meaning:

        "to give"
      • Description:

        The name of the great Italian Renaissance sculptor known as Donatello (but born DONATO), is one that could easily emigrate to modern America, just like sister DONATELLA.
    • Emilien
      • Origin:

        French form of Emil
      • Meaning:

        "friendly"
      • Description:

        Might make a worthy masculine spin on either of the uber popular Emma or Emily.
    • Zebediah
      • Origin:

        Hebrew
      • Meaning:

        "gift of Jehovah"
      • Description:

        Biblical names are expanding (literally) as some parents move from Isaiah and Elijah to more elaborate choices with simple short forms, like Jedidiah and Zebediah.
    • Valerio
      • Origin:

        Latin
      • Meaning:

        "strength, health"
      • Description:

        The final o adds a macho touch.
    • Carnelian
      • Origin:

        Gemstone name
      • Description:

        Carnelian is an ochre-colored semi-precious gemstone, named after a type of cherry.
    • Olivian
      • Origin:

        Romanian variation of Oliver
      • Description:

        As both Oliver and Olivia grow in popularity throughout the English-speaking world, parents may seek variations that are the same-but-different and Olivian is one such choice. Attractive and easy to understand, yet some confuse it with Olivia.
    • Mirabeau
      • Origin:

        French
      • Meaning:

        "wonderful, miraculous"
      • Description:

        The grandiose name of a French revolutionary – in full: Honoré Gabriel Riqueti, comte de Mirabeau. Mirabeau likely derives from Latin mirabilis, making it a masculine cousin of Mirabelle.
    • Midoriya
      • Origin:

        Japanese
      • Meaning:

        "green valley"
      • Description:

        Surname of My Hero Academia character Izuku Midoriya. It debuted on the charts in 2021 when it was used for seven baby boys.
    • Casimiro
      • Origin:

        Spanish form of Casimir, Polish and Slavic
      • Meaning:

        "destroyer of peace"
      • Description:

        All names Cas are cool right night, from Cassius to Cassian to Caspian to, yes, Casimir and its Latin form Casimiro. An attractive possibility in this appealing group.
    • Heliodor
      • Origin:

        Gemstone name
      • Description:

        Also known as green beryl, Heliodor is the name of a sun-kissed colored gemstone. The name is reminiscent of other -dor names such as Theodore, Esidore, Isidor, Landor, Salvador etc.
    • Apollinaire
      • Origin:

        French
      • Meaning:

        "of Apollo"
      • Description:

        Unique baby name and poetic Gallic choice. Guillaume Apollinaire was a French poet and novelist active in the early 20th century arts community, who is said to have coined the terms cubism and surrealism. He based his unique surname de plume on his Polish middle name, Apolinary.
    • Elysian
      • Origin:

        Latin from Greek
      • Meaning:

        "of Elysium; blissful"
      • Description:

        The Elysian Fields of Greek mythology was the home of the afterlife for the blessed. As spiritual names and mythological names continue to rise, Elysian is a name to watch.