Three Syllable Girl Names
- Kalina
Origin:
PolishMeaning:
"viburnum"Description:
Kalina, known as a girls' name throughout Eastern Europe, translates literally to viburnum in Polish, making it a botanical name. Viburnum is a flowering shrub. Some sources translate this name as simply "flower." Variations may include Kaline, Kalena, and Kalene.
- Roberta
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"bright fame"Description:
Roberta has been one of the most successful feminization names, up at #64 in 1936. It's a name that's found all over children's lit, often nicknamed Bobbie or Robbie, though Bertie is another possibility. Notable bearers have included singers Roberta Flack and Roberta Peters--plus it's the birth name of Joni Mitchell.
- Verona
Origin:
Italian place-nameDescription:
Verona is a scenic place-name with the added attraction of a Shakespearean connection, as in Two Gentlemen of....
- Johari
Origin:
Arabic and Swahili from PersianMeaning:
"jewel"Description:
An attractive and traditional unisex name perfect for a cross-cultural child. Despite the current popularity of names ending in -ari, Johari is surprisingly rare in the US. It's currently used about twice as often for girls as it is for boys.
- Tiffany
Origin:
English variation of Theophania, GreekMeaning:
"of divine manifestation"Description:
One of the first luxury brand names and the quintessential Booming Eighties status-conscious moniker; used by Donald Trump for his daughter, Tiffany has plummeted far from its high in the Top 25.
- Fenella
Origin:
CelticMeaning:
"white-shouldered one"Description:
More unusual than Fiona and more user-friendly than Fionnuala, the engaging Scottish Fenella, has been scarcely heard in this country.
- Jessamine
Origin:
English from PersianMeaning:
"jasmine"Description:
Jessamine, a charming name occasionally heard in England, is just beginning to be appreciated in the U.S. as a possible successor to all the Jess names of the past. It's also spelled Jessamyn, as in Quaker novelist Jessamyn West, author of Friendly Persuasion--who started life with Jessamyn as her middle name.
- Odile
Origin:
French variation of German OtthildMeaning:
"prospers in battle"Description:
Odette's evil Swan Lake twin -- gives the name a sinuous, sensuous appeal.
- Vespera
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"evening star"Description:
Said to refer to either Jupiter or Venus, either of which would be preferable as a name.
- Elisha
Origin:
Variant of Alicia or HebrewMeaning:
"God is my salvation"Description:
Elisha (ee-LYE-sha) is an Old Testament male name, sometimes borrowed for girls. Pronouced eh-LEE-sha, it is also used as a spelling variant of Alicia or Elysia.
- Erika
Origin:
Spelling variation of EricaDescription:
This is a more spunky and Nordic looking variant of Erica, but the k also makes the connection to the beautiful flower less apparent.
- Sativa
Origin:
Word nameDescription:
If you live in a state where marijuana is legal (or maybe even if you don't), you might know that Sativa is one of the major strains of weed.
- Nerida
Origin:
Greek; AboriginialMeaning:
"sea nymph, mermaid; red waterlily"Description:
This is one of the more unusual examples of a group of Greek names connected to the sea, which makes sense for a nation of coastline and islands. The Nereids or water nymphs were the daughters of sea god Nereus.
- Alanis
Origin:
Female variation of AlanMeaning:
"handsome, cheerful"Description:
Singer Alanis Morissette made this twist famous. She was named for her father Alan, who is said to have spotted this version in a Greek newspaper. So far it has been pretty much a one-person name, but could make a distinctive update of Alana — especially with s-ending names making a comeback. Alanis is a Top 100 choice in Puerto Rico.
- Galatea
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"she who is milk-white"Description:
This name's meaning derives from the material from which the mythical sculptor Pygmalion chiselled his ideal woman - she was carved from ivory. Pygmalion fell in love with his creation and Aphrodite, taking pity on him, brought the sculpture to life. The woman was named Galatea due to her incredibly pale skin. The Pygmalion myth was the inspiration behind the story of "My Fair Lady" starring Julie Andrews on stage and Audrey Hepburn on screen.
- Aneira
Origin:
WelshMeaning:
"much snow"Description:
This airy Welsh name, which has only been in use since the early 20th century, is formed of the intensifying prefix an- plus eira ("snow"), making it a wintry nature name.
- Adalia
Origin:
Hebrew, German, "God is my refuge; noble one"Meaning:
"God is my refuge; noble one"Description:
Distinctive, elegant, and luxurious, Adalia can be a variation of Adele, or a Hebrew name with a Biblical background. Although it is given exclusively to girls in the US, in the Bible it is masculine. The similar Adlai might be easier to wear for boys in English speaking countries, while Adalia fits in with Adeline, Amelia, and Dahlia.
- Belcalis
Origin:
Invented nameDescription:
Real name of American rapper Cardi B, born Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar. It is possibly inspired by the Latin American name Belkis, derived from Bilqis, the name of the Queen of Sheba in Islamic tradition.
- Estrella
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"star"Description:
Bright and vibrant but elegant too, Estrella is a rising star among Hispanic families that would make a good cross-cultural choice too. A Spanish word name that literally means "star", it is similar to other popular names with the same stellar meaning such as Esther and Stella.
- Shivani
Origin:
HindiMeaning:
"life and death"Description:
Shivani sounds fresh and powerful.