Three Syllable Names for Boys

This popular Turkish male name derives from the personal name Mete + khan, meaning "ruler, leader". Mete is the Turkish form of Modu, referring to the ancient military leader Modu Chanyu. Born in present-day Mongolia around 234 BCE, he was the founder of the Xiongnu Empire, and an important figure in the history of the Turkic-speaking peoples. The name Modu is from Chinese, and may derive from an Old Chinese form of a Turkic title meaning "hero".

Ilario's merry, jovial sound reflects a shared root with the word hilarious.

In the US, Emmanuel has held steady around the Top 200 for a quarter century now, but this variation has dropped off the Top 1000 for three of the past seven years. It was Number 974 in 2016.

The only version that works for boys anymore is the Latinate Hilario or Ilario. Better to look to Felix for a happy-meaning name.

The astronomical Polaris is better known as the North Star, the brightest star in the Ursa Minor constellation. It's also the name of a character in the Marvel Universe, the daughter of Magneto.

The capital of Kenya makes a melodic and worldly name.

A unisex French name, but you may want to simplify your son's life if you're English speakers by going with Cyril. It's an unusual enough name that it doesn't need further complications of spelling and pronunciation.

Most male Emaris use their name as a variation of Amari, which is pronounced with emphasis on the second syllable. It is a truly gender-neutral name, given to baby girls and boys in similar numbers. Names ending in -ari are also one of our top trends of 2021.

Isambard is derived from Old German Isanbert, meaning "bright iron" or "famous iron". Its most famous bearer, rather fittingly, is the 19th century British civil engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, noted as one of the driving forces of the Industrial Revolution.

A classic variation of the name Isidore, both Isadore and Isidore were equally popular at their peak in the 1910s. They were historically used among Jewish families — Isidore and Isadore were often used as Americanizations of Jewish names such as Israel and Isaac.

In Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet, the friend who persuades Romeo to go to the party where he meets Juliet. Alas.

An intriguing Hawaiian boy's name much more distinct and unique than Kai or Koa.

The Titan of the dusk in Greek mythology, husband of Eos (Dawn) and father of the four Anemoi (Winds), as well as the goddess Astraea. The name is derived from Greek "aster", meaning "star".

Parents are beginning to turn away from springtime months like April and June and are moving toward the cooler and crisper three-syllable September, October, November, and December.

The son of Lancelot and Elaine in Arthurian legend, Galahad is the purest and most chivalrous of the Knights of the Round Table, and one of the three achievers of the Holy Grail. The derivation of his name is unclear. It may come from Welsh Gwalchafed (hawk of summer) or "gwalch" + "cad" (hawk of battle), or it may be an anglicization of the place name Gilead in Palestine. Certainly a bold and brave choice for a baby boy!

A popular choice in Finland, where it ranks among the Top 50 boy names.

Herby and aristocratic Basil remains a tough sell, but we’d like to introduce you to Basile, the delightful French version. It retains all of Basil’s charm, but sheds some of the pesto linkage.