Three Syllable Girl Names

Abijah, which you might think of as Abigail with rhythm, is the name of both female and male personages in the Bible. A biblical Queen Abijah was the daughter, wife, and mother of kings. The name is pronounced with a long i, to rhyme with Elijah.

A rare, wintry name from Albania.

Loyola is a Spanish surname occasionally used as a first name for girls. This is most likely in honor of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits. Loyola O'Connor was an American silent film actress.

This more elaborate version of the name is heard occasionally, but Samira or the related Samara is simpler and just as rhythmic.

Spirited and sassy, Lively could be a feminine leaning counterpart to the trending boy name Wilder. A modern virtue of sorts, it has more energy that Patience, Prudence, and Temperance, and is far less popular than Hope or Grace.

Orlanda is an intriguing feminization of Orlando, almost unknown in this country.

The Social Security Lists show Willodean and all its variant spellings to have been used throughout the 1920s and 30s especially in Southern states. There are a few theories on its origins (an invented name created to honor William/Willard and a a female name ending in "-dine", or it may be an Anglicization of a Native American name). Either way, it has a willowy sweetness that deserves a comeback.

This name has spawned dozens of spelling variations, but this is one of the more unusual. People won't know whether the c is silent or pronounced as a k.

This perfume name, undoubtedly a takeoff on the French word for pretty, has somehow wafted into the girls' lexicon. Too commercial.