Three Syllable Girl Names

Author Ottessa Moshfegh is one of the few to bear her name — a rare variation of the ancient name Atossa, rather than Odessa (as many think). The historical Atossa was a character not unlike one in a Moshfegh novel — born into nobility and initially married to her brother, Atossa later became a powerful wife of Darius I. Atossa had a bleeding tumor removed from her breast in the first documented case of mastitis.

In the US, Anessa reads as Vanessa with the V lobbed off. But it's actually missing a G — that from Agnessa, the Russian variation of Agnes.

This Spanish variation of the French Estelle and spelling spin on Estella is on the rise, along with most star-related names, even Starr (and Star) herself. Popular personality Ali Landry chose it for her daughter.

Anabel is the sleekest version of this lovely name with so many variations, all of them correct. But Anabel and all her sisters -- Annabel, Annabelle, Anabella etc. -- took a downward turn after the 2014 horror film Annabelle.

This glamorous name of a hot young French singer is catching on. Tessa and Barron Hilton used it as a middle name for their daughter Milou.

Vocal name seldom heard, with most elle-ending names these days dropped in favor of the more straightforward Elle and Ella.

There's still only one.

A pretty, mellifluous name from the Tahitian phrase vai ana o te mato teitei, meaning "water from the cave of the high rock". The Disney heroine Moana is called Vaiana in most European countries, for trademark reasons.

A French variation of Natalie that's used occasionally in contemporary America. In England and Wales Natalie remains about 10 times as popular as Nathalie.

Calloway is one of those irresistibly jaunty, animated three-syllable surnames, like Sullivan and Finnegan — but this one has the added attraction of jazzy ties to the immortal "Dean of American Jive," Cab Calloway. For a girl, this could be an unconventional route to the cool nickname Callie.

Kalama is a rare-yet-accessible Hawaiian name you may want to consider. Since President Obama put the spotlight on Hawaii and Hawaiian names such as that of his daughter Malia, a choice such as Kalama -- unusual, rhythmic, yet easy-to-apprehend -- seems more possible for the world at large.

A rare and evocative place name for a girl. Seville is the capital of Andalusia, an autonomous community in Spain. The Spanish name, Sevilla, derived from the Phoenician word sefela, meaning "plain" or "valley."

Now that all names Adel- are the height of fashion, Adella is an unusual name that nevertheless sounds very trendy. Adella is one of Ariel's sisters in The Little Mermaid.

The name of medieval French saint, similar to Sally Field's name, Bertrille, on the old The Flying Nun sitcom, leading some to expect the word "Sister" in front of it.

Japanese name with a special crossover/creative touch via its association with the colorful paintings of acclaimed Mexican artist Rufino Tamayo.

"Rose" names are big right now, as are spiritual names, so this rare option could fit the bill for Catholic parents looking for an overtly religious choice. The Rosary is a form of prayer in the Catholic Church, using a string of beads also called a rosary.

Variant spelling of Camila, common in Eastern Europe. Kamila and Kamilah are also feminine forms of the Arabic name Kamil, meaning "perfect".

It may have been used by the Puritans, but any modern child would chafe under this name.