Three Syllable Names for Boys

  1. Avitaj
    • Origin:

      Indian, Sanskrit, Punjabi, Sikh
    • Meaning:

      "sun crown"
    • Description:

      A cool Indian name with two even cooler nickname options — Avi, or Taj.
  2. Thelonius
    • Origin:

      Latinized variation of Tillo
    • Meaning:

      "lord"
    • Description:

      One of the coolest of names, thanks to legendary jazz pianist Thelonious Sphere Monk, who inherited it from his father. It has been used very sparingly since the 1960s--just a sprinkling of baby boys receive the name each year. Monk's middle name Sphere is pretty unique too--a cousin of Cosmos and Cosmo. Some other jazz names to consider: Bix, Ellington, Ella, Etta, Mingus, Dexter and Calloway. :
  3. Deangelo
    • Origin:

      Italian
    • Meaning:

      "from the angel"
    • Description:

      This name obviously has the prefix De- that denotes "son of"—in this form it can mean either "son of Angelo" or "from the angel."
  4. Aramis
    • Origin:

      French literary name
    • Description:

      One of Dumas' swashbuckling Three Musketeers, now better known as a men's cologne.
  5. Fitzwilliam
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "son of William"
    • Description:

      The Christian name of the dashing Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice— it was his mother's maiden name— is just one of several Fitz names, including Fitzroy, Fitzgerald, Fitzpatrick, that could be used to honor a dad named William, Roy, Gerald or Patrick.
  6. Orville
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "gold town"
    • Description:

      Only if you're an aviation buff or seriously addicted to popcorn.
  7. Isaias
    • Origin:

      Latin variation of Isaiah
    • Meaning:

      "Salvation of the Lord"
    • Description:

      Widely used in the Hispanic community, as is the shorter Isai. While the original Isaiah and cousin Isaac are much more popular, Isaias commanded attention as the name of a storm in the summer of 2020.
  8. Macaulay
    • Origin:

      Scottish
    • Meaning:

      "son of righteousness"
    • Description:

      Made famous by former child star Macaulay Culkin, one of the more popular Mac names.
  9. Endeavour
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "challenge, endeavor"
    • Description:

      Extravagant virtue name which is notably the first name of the British TV detective Inspector Morse.
  10. Genesis
    • Origin:

      Word name, Biblical
    • Meaning:

      "the origin and formation of something; The First Book in The Bible"
    • Description:

      Though Genesis is a Top 100 girls' name in the US, it's by all rights a unisex choice.
  11. Erastus
    • Origin:

      Latinized form of Greek Erastos
    • Meaning:

      "beloved"
    • Description:

      The Biblical Erastus was an assistant of Paul's in the New Testament. A name used in the 19th century that has fall off the scope, but may be revived as parents dig deeper for undiscovered Biblical choices.
  12. Nicolo
    • Origin:

      Italian form of Nicholas
    • Meaning:

      "people of victory"
    • Description:

      Nicolo is a more lively variation of Nicholas and one of the most attractive Italian names for boys. A name with a long, distinguished Italian history of its own, it also boasts the charming nickname Nico.
  13. Ellington
    • Origin:

      English place-name and surname
    • Meaning:

      "Ellis's town"
    • Description:

      Ellington is a swinging musical name, evoking the jazzy and elegant persona of the Duke (born Edward Kennedy Ellington). While that reference may seem to make Ellington a male name, it is also occasionally used for girls.
  14. Berilo
    • Origin:

      Spanish, from Greek
    • Meaning:

      "beryl, pale green gemstone"
    • Description:

      A Latin name with a lot of tango flair.
  15. Amaris
    • Origin:

      Variation of Amariah, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "God has said"
    • Description:

      Amaris is unisex name with a Musketeer-esque feel to it: gentle and poetic, but cool and adventurous too. A variation of the Biblical name Amariah, it is given to three times as many girls than boys, though this gap has been narrowing in recent years.
  16. Donnacha
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "brown-haired warrior"
    • Description:

      Virtually unknown in this country, Donnacha is currently in the Top 100 in Ireland. According to legend, Donnacha was a High King of Ireland until his death in 1064. The English version Donaga (done-a) might be preferable here.
  17. Elior
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "My God is my light"
    • Description:

      This appealing Hebrew name is heard in Israel, and would fit in well with all the popular El-starting names for boys, such as Elliot and Ellery. It was given to just five American boys in 2015. Also worth considering is the pretty female version, Eliora.
  18. Marceau
    • Origin:

      French variation of Marcel
    • Meaning:

      "little warrior"
    • Description:

      Mime Marcel Marceau actually had two versions of the same name. Marcel, Marceau, Marcella, Marcus, Mark -- all are variation of the Roman mythological name Mars, the god of war.
  19. Sheridan
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "searcher"
    • Description:

      Sheridan is one surname-name that hasn't come into style for either gender, though it was lightly used for boys around the turn of the 20th century and girls 100 years later. The name does have an attractive sound and an appealing meaning.
  20. Acheron
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "river name"
    • Description:

      A real Greek river, believe in ancient times to lead to the Underworld. It has been in (rare) use as a boy name from 2010 onwards, coinciding with the rising interest in mythological names.