Three Syllable Names for Boys

An interesting international possibility for a third son.

Pronounced like the word "even," this was a common name among the ancient royal families of Ireland, and has now become popular again.

Kavanagh, which can also be spelled Cavanagh, Cavenagh, Kavanaugh, and Cavanaugh, is one of the few traditional Irish surnames not to start with Mc or O'. Kavanagh relates to the name first Kevin or Caomhan. Early kings of Leinster bore the name Kavanagh.

Unless it was your grandmother's maiden name, and you're using it in the middle place, we don't think so. Could be confused with Hazelden, a leading rehab facility.

This Westernized form of the name of an ancient Mongol warrior is remembered primarily today through the works of Christopher Marlowe and Edgar Allan Poe.

An Arthurian name, Galehaut carries a feeling of nobility and courage, but it might be tough to find a nickname for. "Gale" and "Gal" haven't quite crossed over to the unisex side yet, and "Haut" is a bit too much like "hot" and "haughty."

The yoo sound at the beginning of a name has not typically been attractive to the modern ear. Probably the most appealing form of this ancient name has been the feminized Eugenie, thanks to the British princess.

An obscure French saint’s name which was fairly popular in its native country around the turn of the 20th century, and is starting to pick up again. The extremely rare feminine form is Mathurine.