25 4-Syllable Baby Names for Girls That Sound Sweet and Sophisticated

You might think that a four-syllable name for girls is a whole lot of name, but consider the trio Amelia, Olivia, and Isabella. This trio of names represents some of the most popular baby names for girls around the world. Each one has four-syllables and that has not stopped them from rising to the top 10 in the United States.

Baby-names with four syllables are on the rise and many parents are turning to these generous monikers to add sophistication and complexity to an appellation. Parents who have a shorter surname(s) can bestow a fuller given name to their child to balance and flesh out the name. However, you might want to think twice about a four-syllable baby name if your last name is something like Fitzcarraldo or Wolfeschlegelsteinhausenbergerdorff. Barring that, you would be doing right by your daughter with a longer name. Here are 25 four-syllable names that you will ab-so-lute-ly love!

25. Cordelia

Cordelia, the name of King Lear’s one merciful daughter, has style and substance and is exactly the kind of vintage, grown-up name that many parents are seeking today. The name is on the rise too! It once was a favorite of American parents but its favor faded in the fifties. We’re happy to find that this name, with Latin and Celtic roots, is inspiring new parents once more, Cordelia means “heart” or “daughter of the sea.”

24. Felicity

Of all the virtue names like Hope and Faith, our absolute favorites are Verity and Felicity. Both command attention and bring the promise of goodness to those who bear the names. Felicity sounds so cheerful and sophisticated. The Latin name means “good fortune.”

23. Ilaria

If Hilaria or Hillary are not doing it for you, consider the alternative form of the name, Ilaria. Ilaria is the preferred Italian form of the name and sounds exotic in comparison to Hillary. Ilaria means “happy.” You can’t argue with that!

22. Domenica

Domenica was a reasonably popular name for baby girls in the early part of the twentieth century but fell off the charts in the twenties. Dominique was the form that took the helm for years to follow. While we love Dominique, Domenica has that extra syllable that puts it over the top. Domenica is also a name with Italian origins and it means “belonging to the Lord.”

21. Calliope

Calliope first debuted on the US top 1000 names for girls in 2016! How exciting for this very old name to find favor again. Calliope has Greek origins and means “beautiful voice.” Calliope was the ancient Greek muse of poetry who is often depicted in statuary holding a writing tablet.

20. Esmeralda

Esmeralda came into use as the Spanish word for emerald, esmeralda. In the 1831 Victor Hugo novel The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, the Gypsy heroine was born Agnes, but called La Esmeralda in reference to the jewel she wears as a necklace. This Spanish and Portuguese favorite has been in the top 1000 since the fifties.

19. Virginia

Virginia was a top 100 pick for new parents in the US for nearly 100 years before it started to drastically decline in the seventies. Its use has broadened in recent years, but it’s still nowhere near its height of popularity. Virginia has Latin origins and means “pure.” We especially love this name for the unique nickname possibility of Ginny.

18. Cecilia

Cecilia is a feminine form of Cecil, which was derived from a Roman clan name related to the Latin caecus, meaning “blind.” The name of the patron saint of music, Cecilia is more popular in the US today than ever before! You can’t go wrong with any of the C-names in its class like Cecily or Celia.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: 25 Popular Baby Names for Girls with Bad Meanings

17. Eugenia

Eugenia, a name rarely used at all since the 1980s, prospered a century ago and could be due for a renaissance. Eugenia is a Greek classic that means “wellborn.” As with Virginia, Eugenia has some admirable nicknames like Geni and Nia.

16. Evangeline

Evangeline is another “E” name that comes from Greek and means “bearer of good news.” Evangeline has been on a rollercoaster ride on top 1000 since record-keeping began in 1880. Although it has never completely fallen out of fashion, the name has seen dramatic highs and lows over the years.

15. Xiomara

The fabulous and romantic name Xiomara popped into the top 1000 in 2004 and today, the name is more popular than ever before in the US. Xiomara is unsurprisingly much more common in Spanish-speaking countries, particularly those in Central and South America. Cuban Singer Xiomara Alfaro has inspired a great many parents to choose the name for their daughters. Xiomara has roots in Spanish and Portuguese and means “famous in battle.”

14. Celestina

A favorite for Spanish and Italian speaking parents, Celestina is a lyrical choice that brings plenty of excitement and romance to a moniker. It’s a form of Celeste which means “heavenly.” It certainly sounds that way.

13. Penelope

Mythological Penelope was cared for by a duck as an infant and later was known for delaying her suiters by pretending to weave a garment while her husband was at sea. Thus, this Greek mythological name means “weaver.” The name recently entered the top 25 for the first time!

12. Valentina

Valentina entered the U.S. list in 1994, and is rising in popularity. It’s the perfect excuse to call your baby girl Tina. Valentina has Latin origins and means “strength” or “health.” Mexican-born actress Salma Hayek named her daughter Valentina Paloma in 2007.

11. Caterina

Caterina is the preferred form of Katherine for most Italians. It’s a top 50 name in Italy, but you won’t find the same favor for the name in the US. It’s never been in the top 1000, which is a mystery because this is a truly excellent name. Like Katherine, Caterina means “pure.”

10. Olympia

With its relation to Mount Olympus, the dwelling of the Greek gods, and to the Olympic games, this name has an athletic, goddess-like aura, making it a fitting Olivia substitute. Olympia has Greek origins, of course, and means “from Mount Olympus.” You could not get a better nickname than Pia. Olympia hasn’t been in the top 1000 since the 1920s but we see that changing in a big way in coming years.

9. Cleopatra

A royal name in ancient Egypt that’s never quite made it to the modern world, though nickname Cleo is widely used. That’s such a shame because Cleopatra is such a charming and powerful name. Cleopatra has Greek origins and means “glory of the father.”

8. Tatiana

The ancient Romans used the name Tatius even after the Sabines (a Latin family name that originated Tatius) died out and created the short forms Tatianus and Tatiana. The names were eventually disseminated throughout the Orthodox Christian world, including Russia. The name gained some love from outside Russia in the US in the 1980s and we hope it keeps its momentum.

7. Anastasia

 Anastasia is a girl’s name of Greek and Russian origin meaning “resurrection.” Anastasia is no longer a forbidding regal Russian name, but is now seen as a viable, and increasingly popular, American option. This elegant name is more popular in the US than ever before!

6. Serenity

New parents first put Serenity in the top 1000 in 1997 and it’s been in the top 100 since 2009. Serenity sounds sophisticated and means “peaceful.” This is one of the new crop of virtue names that’s become popular in recent years. We love it!

5. Julietta

Julietta is the Spanish form of Juliet and means “little Julia.” Julietta has never received as much attention as her mother Julia and French cousin, Juliette. However, we feel Julietta’s time to arrive is now. You gain the added benefit of the nickname Etta with this attractive baby name.

4. Amaryllis

A showier flower name than Lily, but in the same botanical family, Amaryllis is not as foreign as it might at first sound.  Amaryllis was used in Greek poetry as the appellation of pure pastoral beauties. Amaryllis is the heroine of Virgil’s epic poem Ecologues, after whom the flower was named. This Greek name means “to sparkle.”

3. Persephone

Persephone is the esoteric name of the Greek mythological daughter of Zeus by Demeter, the queen of the harvest, Spring, and growth. Persephone’s meaning is up for debate and many take it to mean “bringer of death.” Which is not so great (or very metal, depending on who you ask)! Despite that, the name is perfectly wonderful.

2. January

January is a month-name for girls that was popular for a flash in the seventies before it fell out of favor. The month of January takes its name from Janus, the Roman god of beginnings. January would make for a brilliant name for a winter baby.

RELATED: 25 4-Syllable Names for Boys That You Can Count On

1. Mahalia

An underused Biblical name, probably because it’s so tightly identified with the Queen of gospel singers, Mahalia Jackson. The beautiful name has both Hebrew and Arabic origins and means “tenderness” or “affection.” We’d love to hear more of this classic as it sounds fresh and lyrical.

There you go! 25 baby names for girls with four syllables that you can give your precious daughter. These names offer a sophistication that’s softened by the amazing nicknames they produce. We hope this list has helped you on your search for the perfect baby name!