• Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Request a Name

Appellation Mountain

Where every name has a story

  • Baby Name Advice & More
  • Master List: Girl Names
  • Master List: Boy Names
  • Private Baby Name Consulting

Long Names for Girls: Elizabella and Anastasia

September 16, 2020 By appellationmountain 27 Comments

longer names for girls Long names for girls have never been more popular. America’s favorite, Olivia, comes in at four syllables. So does long-time Top Ten Isabella, fast-rising Penelope, modern staple Ariana, classic Elizabeth, and – if you don’t rush the pronunciation – regal Victoria.

Not so long ago, every Elizabeth was a Betty or a Lizzie or a Bess. But today? There’s a good chance Elizabeth uses her name in full. The same is true for Eleanor and Valentina and Josephine. Rising choices like Ellianna and Ariella seem designed to layer on the syllables.

Which long girl names are the longest? Which seem most wearable? This list rounds up dozens and dozens of the very best.

Some longer girl names might be three or four syllables, depending on pronunciation. Think of names like Cordelia. And a few might stretch from four to five, or more.

Read on for a long list of long names for girls. Please share your favorites in the comments!

FOUR-SYLLABLE GIRL NAMES

ADALINA, ADELINA

We love sweet Adeline – and Adelyn, Adalynn, and Adalyn, too. No surprise, then, that Adelina also ranks in the current Top 1000.

ADRIANA, ADRIANNA

A feminine form of traditional Adrian, Adriana became a 90s favorite.

ALABAMA

Rare as a given name, Alabama has been worn by two memorable fictional characters: the main character from Zelda Fitzgerald’s only novel, and the heroine of cult classic True Romance.

ALETHEA

Alethea comes from a Greek word meaning truth, but it has only been in use as a given name for a few hundred years. It enjoyed just one tiny moment of popularity, back in the 1970s. Hit television series Kung Fu included a character by the name, played a young Jodi Foster. If Sophia and Athena are stylish, why not Alethea?

ALEJANDRA, ALESSANDRA, ALEXANDRA

Alexandra feels timeless and traditional, though it was especially big in the 1980s. Romance language versions Alessandra and Alejandra make for slightly different versions.

ALTAGRACIA

A Spanish name borrowed from one of the Virgin Mary’s titles, Altagracia means “high grace.”

AMARYLLIS

Count Amaryllis among the most wearable of rare flower names, even at four syllables.

AMABELLA, ANNABELLA, ARABELLA

Amabella came first, derived from the Late Latin Amabilis – lovable. Annabella and Arabella both developed from the original.

ANNALISA, ANNELIESE

Strictly speaking, the German Anneliese is pronounced just like Annalisa. But Annalisa might make more sense in the English-speaking world.

ANTONIA, ANTONINA, ANTONELLA

Many pronounce Antonia with just three syllables, but it is possible to extend it to four – and Antonina and Antonella definitely tip the syllable scale at four each.

ARACELI

Araceli means “altar of the sky,” as in Maria de Araceli, the patron saint of Lucena, Spain. It’s been used in the US since the 1960s.

ARAMINTA

Araminta feels like a Victorian concoction, but the name was coined in the late 1600s for a William Congreve play. It’s been used sparingly ever since, including a minor figure in the Harry Potter series.

ARIANA, ARIANNA, ARIADNE

Wildly popular in both spellings, this name was boosted by pop sensation Ariana Grande. The original is also a long and lovely choice for a daughter: Ariadne, who helped Theseus defeat the Minotaur in Greek myth.

ARIELLA

Shakespeare gave the name Ariel to a sprite in The Tempest. Disney chose it for The Little Mermaid in 1989. But it’s not aquatic. Instead, Ariel is a Hebrew name meaning “lion of God,” and it’s typically masculine. Ariella makes it frilly and feminine.

ANASTASIA

Anastasia might belong on the five-syllable names list. Except Americans tend to say stay szha, not stay SEE ah. The youngest of the doomed Romanov princesses, rumors that Anastasia survived her family’s grim fate – and an animated musical version of the story – have kept this name on parents’ radar.

ANDROMEDA

A princess rescued by Perseus in Greek myth, and a constellation in the night sky, Andromeda is rare, but accessible.

ANGELINA, ANGELISA

Angelina and Angelisa turn traditional Angela up to eleven.

ANNAPURNA

A Hindu goddess name, and a towering mountain in the Himalayas.

AVALINA, AVELINA, EVALINA, EVALENA

While some of these names have independent roots, they all feel like inventive spins on Ava, Eva, or Eva.

AVABELLA, CLEOBELLA, MIABELLA

Smoosh names have a long history of use, and with Isabella in favor, other ends-in-bella names feel like possibilities.

AVIANA, AVIANNA

Aviana makes the list thanks to Amy Adams’ daughter Aviana, born in 2010.

BENEDETTA, BENEDICTA

Both names are feminine forms of Benedict, as in the former pope and the Oscar-nominated actor.

CALLIOPE

Move over, Penelope! There are plenty of Greek names for girls that share the same qualities: easy nicknames, the fun ‘e’ ending, and a great story. Calliope was the Greek goddess of epic poetry.

CAROLINA

Charlotte and Caroline both rank in the US Top 100, but Carolina remains less common. It feels Southern, thanks to the US states, as well as high fashion, thanks to Venezuelan-born fashion designer Carolina Herrera.

CATALINA, CATARINA, CATERINA, KATARINA, KATERINA

Regal, saintly Katherine has an almost infinite number of variants, many of which boast four syllables. The Spanish Catalina also brings to mind the California island.

CORINTHIA

A rarity used by Faulkner, it comes from the ancient Greek city state.

DAENERYS, DEIANIRA, DAYANARA

Hercules had a wife named Deianira. Dayanara might be a modernized spelling, or it could be a creative coinage. And then there’s Game of Thrones‘ Daenerys, invented by George RR Martin, but sharing many similar sounds.

DEMETRIA

Actor Demi Moore was born Demetria. It’s a Greek name, elaborated from the goddess Demeter.

DESDEMONA

Othello’s doomed love Desdemona was given her name by Italian poet Cinzio. His 1565 work Un Capitano Moro is believed to be the basis for Shakespeare’s Othello. It fits with long names for girls, but the meaning – ill-fated – might be off-putting.

DOMENICA, DOMINICA

Domenica and Dominica serve as feminine forms of the Top 100 Dominic.

DONATELLA

As in Versace, and Donna Moss, The West Wing character. It’s derived from the Latin donatus – given. Donatello is more familiar, thanks to the Renaissance sculptor and his namesake Ninja Turtle.

DULCINEA

Don Quixote’s beloved, and the name of a Toad the Wet Sprocket album from 1994. Shortens the oh-so-sweet Dulcie. Other elaborations, like Dulcibella, have history, too.

ELISABETH, ELIZABETH

Elizabeth is a venerable classic, and Elisabeth is the just slightly different form. Both feel classic and enduring, and also belong with longer names for girls.

ENDELLION

This name made headlines when British prime minister David Cameron and wife Samantha welcomed daughter Florence Rose Endellion. It’s the name of a Cornish saint, honoring the place of the youngest Cameron’s birth.

ESMERALDA

This name peaked around the time Disney released their musical take on The Hunchback of Notre Dame around the time Disney’s musical movie was released in 1996. Eva Mendes and Ryan Gosling named their daughter Esmeralda in 2014, and it remains in steady use today.

EVANGELINE

A literary, romantic Eve- name with a spiritual meaning, Evangeline has been quite popular in recent years.

FEDERICA, FREDERICA, FREDERICKA

All feminine forms of Frederick, and every bit as wearable as Alexandra. Plus, Freddie is sweet and sparky on a girl, a sister for Sadie. If Francesca and Frankie seem stylish, Frederica and Freddie could be, too.

FIORELLA

Fiery Fiorella actually comes from the Italian word flower – fiore. It’s a promising alternative to the oh-so-popular Isabella.

FLORENCIA

The elaborate Spanish form of Florence.

GALATEA

A name from Greek myth, Galatea was later given to Pygmalion’s living statue.

GALILEA

It’s an out-of-this-world rarity, a feminine form of Galileo, meaning “from Galilee.”

GRACIELA

In Spanish, Grace becomes Gracia. And Gracia can be elaborated to Graciela. One-part virtue name, one-part long names for girls.

GENOVEVA

The French Genevieve is having a good run, so why not the Spanish form?

GIOVANNA

An Italian feminine form of John, sometimes spelled Giavanna in the US.

HENRIETTA

Hattie and Hettie fit right in with Sadie, but they started out as short forms of Harriet and Henrietta – feminine forms of Henry.

ISABELLA

Wildly popular, yes. But a lovely name with a rich history, too.

ISADORA, ISIDORA

Several saints have answered to forms of this name, but it’s most famous thanks to dancer Isadora Duncan.

JULIANA, JULIANNA

Classic Julia brings to mind plenty of distinguished women, from the ancient world to more recent years. Juliana sounds more dramatic, but just as enduring.

JULIETTA, GIUILIETTA

Julianna has the feel of a classic, and Juliet is forever tied to Shakespeare’s tale of young love. But Giulietta – an Italian diminutive form of Giulia – and Julietta – are rarities in English.

KADIATOU

The Arabic Khadija became the four-syllable Kadiatou in western Africa.

LILIANA, LILLIANA, LILIANNA, LILLANNA

Choose your number of Ls and Ns, and this long name for Lily is one that will feel quite current today.

LILINOE

This Hawaiian name for heavenly mists is pronounced with four syllables, and might be among the more accessible of elaborate Hawaiian options.

LILIOSA

Another Lily name, this one borrowed from a Spanish saint.

LUCIANA

Lucy and Lucia are short and popular, but Luciana belongs with lovely, longer names for girls.

MADDALENA

Madeline – pick your spelling – maxes out at three syllables. But the elaborate Italian Maddalena turns it up to four.

MAGDALENA

The original form of Madeline, Magdalena feels more international.

MARIANA, MARIANNA

Mary Anne is simple and sweet, while the elaborate Mariana is a more romantic possibility. The Mariana Trench, located in the Pacific, is the deepest part of the worlds’ oceans.

NICOLETTA, NICOLINA

Nicole is a modern classic, slightly French and undeniably familiar. These forms aren’t rarities, but if you’re after an elaborate Nic- name, they might work.

OCTAVIA

A substitute for Olivia, Octavia refers to the number eight. Perfect for your eighth daughter – or, more practically, a daughter born in August.

OLIVIA

One of the long names for girls that proves four syllables isn’t too many. Made famous by the Australian singer who starred in Grease, it now stands at the very top of the popularity charts.

OLYMPIA

Another O name that shares sounds with powerhouse Olivia.

PENELOPE

This name was obscure back when Christina Ricci starred in the fairytale movie by the name. Today, Penelope is a favorite chosen by everyone from Tina Fey to Kourtney Kardashian.

PERSEPHONE

A lovely alternative to Penelope, rare but not unfamiliar.

PETRONELLA, PETRONILLA

Petra is a feminine form of Peter. Petronella is an even longer form. The -nilla spelling was worn by an early saint, but the -nella ending lends itself to nickname Nell.

PHILOMENA

It could mean loved, or it might mean “friend of strength.” Either way, Philomena has a great meaning. The early saint’s name is obscure in the US today, but if girls can be Francesca, why not Philomena?

RAFAELLA, RAFFAELLA, RAPHAELA

We all know the name Raphael, thanks to the archangel. The feminine forms are rare in English, but fit with longer names for girls.

SERAPHINA

Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck put this unusual name on parents’ radar when they chose it for their second daughter in 2009.

SOPHRONIA

Sophronius means sensible. It was the name of a seventh century saint. It’s rare, but brings to mind chart-topper Sophia.

STELLAMARIS

In Latin, Stella Maris means “Star of the Sea.” That sounds like a nature name, but it comes from a title given to Mary. That makes it spiritual, and unexpected, too.

THEODORA

Theodora means gift of God. Like Theodore, there’s plenty of history attached to this name.

THEODOSIA

Hamilton’s “Dear Theodosia” could lead to a few more girls given the name.

VALENCIA

A Spanish place name, Valenica is associated with oranges. It’s also the name of a Decembrists’ single.

VALENTINA

A fast-rising favorite, Valentina brings valentines to mind. But it comes from the Latin valens – strong.

VERONICA

Call Veronica a quirky classic. It brings to mind Winona Ryder’s offbeat character in cult classic Heathers and Kristen Bell’s crime-solving girl detective.

VICTORIA

The name Victoria belongs to a Roman goddess and a famous queen. A Top 100 favorite, Victoria belongs with classics like Alice and Mary.

VIOLETTA

Violet ranks in the Top 100. Violetta sounds even more flowery.

WILHELMINA, WILLIAMINA

Sure, there’s Willa and Willow. But if you like longer names for girls, Wilhelmina and Williamina work.

ZENOBIA

Tina Fey named her firstborn daughter Alice Zenobia. It’s literary, too. Nathaniel Hawthorne chose it for a character in The Blithedale Romance.

FIVE-SYLLABLE GIRL NAMES

ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRINA

We love Alexandra. Alexandria is an ancient city, but also reasonably familiar as a girl’s name. Alexandrina is rare, but there’s at least one notable bearer – it’s the given name of Queen Victoria herself.

ANAMARIA, ANNAMARIA

Classic and spare Ann and Mary become a romantic, elaborate name combined.

ARIETTA, ARRIETTY

The Borrowers introduced us to Arrietty, though the name’s origins are obscure. Arietta might be a spin on Harriet.

CANDELARIA

Candelaria comes from the feast of Candelmas. It commemorates the presentation of the infant Jesus in the temple.

CASSIOPEIA

Cassiopeia is a constellation in the night sky, as well as a long and elaborate name for a daughter.

ELIZABELLA, ELISABETTA, ELIZAVETA

Start with four-syllable Elizabeth or Isabella. Combine elements, borrow foreign versions, and before long, you’ve reached five syllables.

EMILIANA

Emilia is a fast-rising favorite. Emiliana extends the sound.

EVANGELINA

Evangeline already makes the list of longer girl names, but Evangelina goes a little farther.

GIOVANNELLA, GIOVANNETTA, GIOVANNINA

Giovanna feels long and lovely. Adding an extra syllable makes an even more elaborate form.

ISABELLINA

Isabelline is a pale yellow-grey color. Isabellina ups the syllable count to five.

LEOCADIA

Leocadia fits in with all those Leo names for boys. It comes from the name of a fourth-century Spanish martyr.

LOUISIANA

A five-syllable place name possibility, Louisiana seems as wearable as Georgia or Savannah.

MAXIMILIANA, MAXIMILIENNE

Max names to the max!

ROSAMARIA

Rose and Mary form Rosemary, with just three syllables. Rosamaria takes it up to five.

SERENDIPITY

A big, bold word name, Serendipity is long on sound and syllables.

How long is the longest name on your girls’ list?

First published on March 13, 2015, this post was revised and re-published on September 16, 2020.

More names you might like:

  • 73 Spunky Girl Names: Pippa, Romy, and More73 Spunky Girl Names: Pippa, Romy, and More
  • Trending Traditional Girl Names 2019Trending Traditional Girl Names 2019
  • Girl Names from Initials: Ivy, Coco, Gigi + MoreGirl Names from Initials: Ivy, Coco, Gigi + More
  • Rare Girl Names 2019: The Great EightsRare Girl Names 2019: The Great Eights
  • Strong Girl Names: Inspired by Hermione, Part IStrong Girl Names: Inspired by Hermione, Part I

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
  • Print

Comments

  1. Iris says

    September 17, 2020 at 7:44 PM

    I love Georgiana, thanks to Mr. Darcy’s little sister.

    Reply
  2. Carrie says

    August 8, 2020 at 7:34 PM

    Is Giovana not 3 syllables? I thought it was “Jo-vah-nah”.

    Reply
  3. Pilar says

    February 19, 2019 at 8:46 PM

    Wow, Maristela sounds so much more beautiful to my ears than Stellamaris does, probably because it sounds more Spanish? So many beauties on this list, I adore your site. I have to jot down my faves so as not to forget!

    Reply
  4. ErinB says

    November 9, 2018 at 1:58 PM

    I’ve heard Gentiana and Evyenia.

    Reply
  5. Stefanie says

    March 7, 2017 at 5:41 PM

    Apollonia! Still bummed I could never convince my partner to go for it.

    Reply
  6. casey says

    May 11, 2015 at 6:46 PM

    3 syllable names in my opinion roll off the tongue a bit better like Carolyn, Kassandra, Samantha, Maria or Natasha

    Reply
  7. Josie says

    March 16, 2015 at 6:46 AM

    My favourite 4s, mentioned: Araminta, Cordelia, Esmeralda, Isidora, Liliana, Theodora, & Veronica.
    My favourite 4s, unmentioned: Andromeda, Ariadne, Ezriela, Ilaria, Iliana, Luscinia, Mariamne, Melusina, Raziela, Rosario, Remedios, Valeriya, Viviana, Xaviera.
    My favourite 5s, mentioned: Alexandrina & Leocadia
    My favourite 5s, unmentioned: Emmanuela/Immanuela, Iphigenia, Valeriana, Yekaterina

    I like Elizabeth but not as much as Eliza, and Katarina but not as much as Yekaterina, Katharine, or Katia, so I bumped them.

    I like short names as much as long names. They flatter each other, too. I don’t really want ten syllables before I get to the last name.

    Reply
  8. Winter says

    March 16, 2015 at 6:27 AM

    I have recently felt that Jaquenetta and Jacobina would make perfect Twin names. They are both 4 syllables, both are button-up-stately classics, frilly, and romantic in look and feel without being obvisously matchy. Jaquenetta could go by Netta/Netty and Jacobina could go by Bina. Adorable!

    Reply
    • appellationmountain says

      March 16, 2015 at 8:35 AM

      That’s quite the duo – love it, Winter!

      Reply
  9. Winter says

    March 16, 2015 at 6:12 AM

    Oooh I forgot Jacobina. Noew,There a rare 4 syllable name.

    Reply
    • Winter says

      March 20, 2015 at 3:48 AM

      Pompeianna is another rare 4 syllable

      Reply
  10. b says

    March 14, 2015 at 2:01 AM

    Gregoria is a neglected 4 syllable name that didn’t even make your list. Even the literary Bradamante, but that one is to be expected.

    Reply
  11. Angela says

    March 13, 2015 at 11:46 PM

    I once knew a spunky little girl by the name of Zahara! I also knew a girl in college named Shoshona.

    Reply
  12. Jonquil says

    March 13, 2015 at 10:25 PM

    I love
    Amaryllis
    Antonia
    Arabella
    Berengaria (guilty pleasure)
    Carolina (nn Caro)
    Catalina
    Clovelly – (guilty pleasure:name of a village in Devon)
    Cordelia
    Isabella
    Lavinia
    Hilaria (woefully neglected)
    Jacaranda (guilty pleasure)
    Margarita
    Natalia
    Oriana
    Polperro (guilty pleasure: name of a village in Cornwall)
    Rafaela
    Theophania
    Viviana
    plus the combo Lydia Frederica that I saw in a birth announcement about a year ago

    Reply
  13. cash says

    March 13, 2015 at 7:29 PM

    Other optional long forms, that I am biased toward, that may interest you:

    Ottavianna,
    Corinthianna (6th century Roman noblewomen wore this name)
    Maximilienne
    Leopoldine
    Ursulina
    Zephyrine
    Ernestina
    Lucrezia
    Armandine
    Albertina
    Gundeline/Gundelina
    Gunnilda
    Marcovefa (f-makes a v sound)
    Clariandra
    Albinia
    Almeria
    Venetia
    Amoretta
    Aphelinia
    Amphelisia
    Lisianthus
    Berengaria
    Scholastica
    Thalassa
    Lionella
    Adelrune
    Hippolyta
    Everalda
    Thomasina
    Weluela
    Euphrosyn
    Audefleda (if you pronounce the e, its 4 syllables)
    Eustchia (ch-makes a kee-uh sound)
    Bodicea
    Jaquenetta
    Adolphina

    Reply
    • cash says

      March 13, 2015 at 7:35 PM

      Perpetua

      Reply
      • cash says

        March 13, 2015 at 7:36 PM

        Eustachia*edite

        Reply
  14. Sara says

    March 13, 2015 at 3:06 PM

    I’d never come across Adamaris as a name before, but I suspect the origin is from Latin adamaris “You are loved”.

    Reply
  15. April says

    March 13, 2015 at 2:56 PM

    I really enjoyed this list! One of my favorite long names is is Avhiendha. She is a character in an amazing fantasy book series (Wheel of Time). I love the look and sound of the name, but I also love the character herself.

    Reply
  16. Diana Peterfreund says

    March 13, 2015 at 12:41 PM

    My daughter has one of these long names and does not use the “standard” nickname for it. A risk I know, since both my mother and my best friend are Elizabeths with undesired forced “Liz” shorteners. She got in trouble at a tiny gym once because they kept calling her by the “standard” nickname for her name and she didn’t even hear them. Why people assume you will be called by a given nickname bugs me.

    Reply
    • Winter says

      March 20, 2015 at 3:39 AM

      Oh I hate that tooo! Everyone assumed that I would go by Winnie or Winner. I just ignored them!

      Reply
  17. Katybug says

    March 13, 2015 at 11:19 AM

    When we were trying to conceive our oldest, I was mildly obsessed with finding 3-syllable names with six or fewer letters. I thought three syllables flowed best with our 2-syllable last name but didn’t want to burden a child with a long name to write and spell: Lydia, Cecily, etc. ironically, when it came time to actually name kids, we ended up with one kid with a 2-syllable name and one with a 3-syllable name with 10 letters!

    Reply
  18. sanctanomina says

    March 13, 2015 at 10:37 AM

    Oh gosh, I love them all!

    Reply
  19. Margaret says

    March 13, 2015 at 10:32 AM

    Gah, I love almost every single one of the names on this list! I adore long names, especially on girls. Some of my favorites that you didn’t mention are:

    Ophelia (my daughter’s middle name)
    Theophania
    Artemisia
    Felicity
    Cecilia
    Christiana
    Christabella
    Scholastica
    Hermione
    Ariadne
    Magdalena
    Emmanuelle
    Esperanza
    Ottilia
    Tatiana
    Wisteria
    Gabriella
    Asteria
    Salomea

    Reply
  20. Laura says

    March 13, 2015 at 8:19 AM

    Oh how is love to name a little one Stella Maris! Sadly hubby doesn’t like Stella. It hasn’t occured to me that I could smush it. I’m going to see if it Stellamaris could work as a middle name.

    Reply
    • sanctanomina says

      March 13, 2015 at 2:52 PM

      I’ve seen Maristel(l)a too, so pretty!

      Reply
  21. pennyruso1 says

    March 13, 2015 at 4:52 AM

    A lot of my long-time faves are on here! Alethea, Amaryllis, Arabella(also love Ariadne)
    Donatella, Demetria, Evangeline, Fiorella, Liliana, Persephone, Raphaela, Valentina.
    I prefer Ariane to Ariana, but Oriana is a favourite too.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter


POPULAR POSTS

Tweets by @appmtn
Visit Appellation Mountain's profile on Pinterest.

Copyright © 2021 · AppellationMountain.net on Genesis Framework · Privacy Policy · Log in

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.
We use cookies to ensure you the best experience on our website. If you continue using this site, we will assume that you're happy with it. Learn moreOk