Three Syllable Names for Boys
- Rousseau
Origin:
French surnameMeaning:
"little redhead"Description:
Rousseau gives French flair to other red-haired names like Russell and Rory. It is associated with the influential eighteenth century philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau, as well as the painter Henri Rousseau.
- Emeril
Origin:
French, meaning unknownDescription:
This highly unusual name has been kicked up a notch, thanks to cooking guru Emeril Lagasse.
- Alphonsus
Origin:
Latin form of AlfonsoMeaning:
"noble and ready"Description:
This Latinized form of a name that's well used in Italy and Spain is sometimes heard, oddly enough, in Ireland.
- Taranis
Origin:
CelticMeaning:
"thunder"Description:
Taranis was the Celtic god of thunder, the equivalent of the Norse god Thor. With Thor along with a legion of mythological choices back in use as baby names, Taranis just may have a chance to rise from the recesses of history to make the modern baby name rosters.
- Kalevi
Origin:
Variation of Kaleva, FinnishMeaning:
"ancestor of the Finns"Description:
Kalevi is a variant form of Kaleva, the name of a character from Finnish legend — the ancestor of all Finns. Although both are masculine names, Kalevi may be better suited for non-Finnish boys, since an A ending is often viewed as feminine.
- Pericles
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"far-famed"Description:
Ancient Athenian statesman whose name was once used in the US mostly for enslaved people, following a trend for names of ancient figures.
- Daedalus
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"craftsman"Description:
Name of a tragic mythological hero, used as a surname in the works of James Joyce; heavy but ponderous for an American boy, though pulled off very well by single-name musician Daedalus and writer and artist Daedalus Howell.
- Donahue
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"dark fighter"Description:
This genial Irish surname feels much more current than Donald.
- Elisa
Origin:
Dutch, Danish, German from HebrewMeaning:
"god is my salvation"Description:
Form of Elisha or Eliseus, a prophet in Christianity, Judaism and Islam.
- Merari
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"bitter"Description:
In the Old Testament, Merari is one of Levi's sons.
- Léonie
- Madigan
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"little dog"Description:
A jovial and jaunty Irish name, the title of a long-gone TV crime drama, this would make an appealing choice. Slight downside: Maddy is already a mega-popular nickname for Madeline/Madelyn and Madison, so this Mad- name might not feel as distinctive as the stats would suggest.
- Argyros
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"silver"Description:
An intriguing Greek name with an appealing meaning.
- Navarro
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"from Navarre"Description:
Dashing surname for the Basque kingdom.
- Elizar
Origin:
Spanish variation of Eleazar or LazarusMeaning:
"God is my Helper"Description:
Elizar is the Spanish version of this attractive name, on the cusp of going from uncommon to big.
- Damari
Origin:
Variation of AmariDescription:
Damari is thought to be a variation of the popular trans-cultural name Amari with the Da- prefix. Amari means "eternal" in Hebrew and may mean "strength" in Yoruba, though other sources list the African meaning as unknown.
- Denarius
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"silver coin"
- Selasi
Origin:
GhanaianDescription:
Ghanaian name meaning "God hears me", known to fans of "The Great British Bake Off" thanks to charismatic contestant Selasi Gbormittah.
- Rogelio
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"famous spearman"Description:
A Spanish variation of the name Roger meaning "famous spearman." Rogelio is popular among the Filipino and Argentine communities and could be a great alternative for international families looking for a name that can still be shortened to the very Anglo nickname "Rodge."
- Llywelyn
Origin:
Welsh, 'leader's image'Description:
This is the original form of the ancient name also spelled Llewelyn. In ancient Wales, it was borne by two princes who for a time united their countrymen in North Wales and led opposition to the power of the Norman barons in the south. Llywelyn ap Iorwerth was the greatest of the Welsh rulers of the Middle Ages. This is a popular patriotic name, with nicknames Llelo and Llew, which is also Welsh for 'lion.'