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".

This charming Japanese name, with two meanings every little boy would love to have, was briefly in the Canadian Top 100 in the early 20th Century. There are many famous bearers of the name, such as architect Isamu Noguchi and physicist Isamu Akasaki.

Thoroughly masculine in Central Europe, although it may be misconstrued as a feminine name in English-speaking countries.

Sylvanus or Silvanus was the Roman god of the forest whose name is much more often found today in such variations as Sylvia, Sylvie and even Silas than in its original form. But if you're looking for a genuine mythological or Ancient Roman name with a nature connection, this might be the perfect choice.

This name of an early Greek Christian philosopher comes with a wizened, ancient air about it. Still, perhaps the nickname Ari might help it work for a baby to grow into.

Enitan's origins are in the Yoruba language of Southwestern Nigeria. It has a lovely meaning, referring to a person of notoriety.

Popular in the African American community, the De- prefix makes this a choice for sons of Marcuses.

Giovanni is Italian for John, and Giovani is a not-really-correct spelling variation. Regardless, it has charted in the US for 16 of the past 17 years, peaking at Number 500 in 2011.

Confessional memoirist Augusten Burroughs is the first literary notable to bear one of this family of names since the confessional saint.

Borne by various anime villains thanks to its dark meaning.

Ventura started life as a shortening of Bonaventura, Spanish for good luck or good fortune, but now stands on its own. It has a pleasant sound and the stylish 'V' ending, but Angelenos would associate it with the Valley's main stem--Ventura Boulevard, and others might think of Ace or Jesse Ventura.

A rare and romantic take on Basil.

While the female version, Miranda, has long been popular, maybe it's time to consider the equally attractive male version.

Popular in Hawaii in the first decades of the 20th century, this name also means "rock" in Māori.

Japanese word for "scarecrow" that is used as a name in Howl's Moving Castle and Naruto.

Rising spelling variation of the common unisex name Amari.

Marvelous is a unique virtue name that could work for a boy or a girl, but would definitely make a statement. Marvel is a shorter version that has a history of use as a girls' name, but would work just as well for a boy.