Three Syllable Names for Boys

An unlikely place name today, but one that was found among enslaved people in the 1800s.

The creator god of the sky, wind, and knowledge in Aztec mythology, also associated with the morning star. In Mesoamerican myth Quetzalcoatl is also a mythical hero from whom almost all Mesoamerican peoples claim descent.

A distinguished English occupational surname referring to a senior official who managed the household of a noble or monarch. The best known historical bearer is British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, who was in office at the start of the Second World War.

This Yoruba praise name is used throughout West Africa, and has an empowering meaning.

Bardyllis (also spelled Bardilys) is a name from ancient history, belonging to two kings of Illyria (now the Balkans in south-east Europe) in the third and fouth centuries BCE, around the time of Alexander the Great. The meaning is debatable: suggestions include "white" or "white star" in ancient Albanian, or "gray" in the Messapian language of Italy.

In Greek mythology, Tartarus rules over the depths of the underworld. Probably not the best role model for a little boy.

The white winged stallion in Greek mythology who sprang from the blood of Medusa when she was beheaded by Perseus. Pegasus was ridden by the hero Bellerophon in his fight against the Chimera. The name may derive from the Greek for "from a water spring"; according to legend, a spring burst forth wherever Pegasus struck the earth with a hoof. So as well as being an animal name and a mythological name, you might consider this one of the names meaning water.

Dimitar is the Bulgarian (and Macedonian) version of Dmitri, which is itself a variation of the name of the Greek goddess Demeter, whose name means earth mother.

Latin form of Charles or Karl

A current top 25 choice in the Czech Republic (spelt Antonín), this distinguished name has several notable bearers: from French playwright Artaud, to Czech composer Dvořák, to Death Eater Dolohov in the Harry Potter series.

A Roman name deriving from Julius, a Roman nomen (family name). Its origin is shrouded in history, but possible roots include Latin iuvenis, meaning "youthfu"; Greek ioulos, meaning "downy-bearded"; or Jovis, a form of Jupiter, which means "sky father".