Three Syllable Names for Boys

Rare but intriguing saints' name that offers an unconventional way to get to Theo. 

Theodotus

The name of several characters in Greek mythology, one of them being a Samothracian king of whom it is said that the region of Emathia (now Macedonia) was named after him.

Emathion

A Latin verb which is the origin of the Roman name Emerentius and its variants, which could make a handsome name in its own right.

Emereo

An uncommon English surname which could make for a handsome spin on Emery.

Emersby

An almost forgotten, but rather dashing, medieval French member of the Emil- family of names.

Emiland

An ancient Greek commander with a name as strong-sounding as its meaning.

Empedion

A name from Welsh legend. Amaethon son of Dôn is mentioned in several medieval Welsh texts. In Culhwch and Olwen he is the only person who can plow a certain field, and in the poem The Battle of the Trees he stole a dog and a roebuck from the otherworld and defeated its ruler. It has been suggested that the name originally belonged to a pre-Christian god of agriculture, though that would have been many hundreds of years before the first surviving texts mentioning him.

Amaethon

This unusual English botanical name belongs to a minty-smelling, flowering herb (also called bishopwort), which has been used since medieval times to treat various ailments.
<br/ In the language of flowers, Betony signifies surprise, so this might make for a meaningful choice for an unexpected pregnancy.
<br/ Variant spelling Bettany (as in actor Paul Bettany, or English historian Bettany Hughes), could take this name into trendy surname-as-first-name territory.

Betony

Brand new surname option that's equally appealing on girls and boys.
 
In Shakespeare's Richard III, Catesby is a double agent working for Richard III of England. He was based on the real-life Sir William Catesby.

Catesby

A seventh-century Welsh poet about whom little more than his name is known.

Arofan

Elatha is the god of the Moon in Irish mythology. The contemporary Irish spelling would be Ealadha.

Elatha

Most frequently seen as a surname of those with Italian or Spanish heritage. The Italian variation is a habitational surname denoting ancestors from the town of Revello, while the Catalan (sometimes spelled Revelló) derives from revell, meaning "wild olive tree."

Revello

Although highly associated with the internet security company, McAfee joined the reams of possible baby names when it was used for the female character McAfee Westbrook in the Netflix series The Politician.

Mcafee

Ealair is the Gaelic form of Hilary, making McKellar an inventive way to honor a Hilary, Hillary, or Ellery in your life.

Mckellar

Actress Brie Williamson chose this spin on MacGregor for her son in 2010.

Mcgreggor

Guomundur is a masculine Icelandic name with deep Norse roots, representing a variant spelling of the more common Guðmundur. The name combines elements meaning 'god' and 'protector,' reflecting Iceland's ancient connections to Norse mythology and traditions. Traditionally pronounced with a soft 'th' sound (represented by the Icelandic letter ð) in the first syllable, non-Icelandic speakers often adapt the pronunciation. The name has been carried by numerous significant figures in Icelandic history, including religious leaders, artists, and athletes. While extremely rare outside Iceland and Nordic communities, Guomundur represents a strong cultural connection to Icelandic heritage. The name remains in use in contemporary Iceland, where traditional naming practices and connections to cultural heritage are highly valued.

Guomundur

Sigurður is a common name in Iceland, ultimately derived from the Old Norse elements sig, meaning "victory," and vard, "guardian."

Sigurður

Otieno is more commonly seen as a surname among the Luo people of Kenya and Eastern Africa. The surname was derived from the given name — Atieno is the feminine version.

Otieno

The creator god of the sky, wind, and knowledge in Aztec mythology, also associated with the morning star. In Mesoamerican myth Quetzalcoatl is also a mythical hero from whom almost all Mesoamerican peoples claim descent.

Quetzalcoatl

Junian is an obscure saints' name with potential to work as an alternative to Julian.

Junian

Three-syllable boy names carry a certain gravity and formality: They're mostly full names rather than short forms. 

 today -- Benjamin, Theodore, Oliver -- have three syllables, often with friendlier short forms such as Ben, Theo, and Ollie.

 too: Consider word name Victory, Spanish nature name Jacinto, and the papal (really) Zepherin.

pair best with one or two-syllable surnames

, but if you love a three-syllable name for your son and have a longer last name, you can always choose one with a shorter version. Zachary Zantopoulos is more approachable as Zach Zantopoulos.

 of more than 5000 male names with three syllables, ordered by their current popularity on Nameberry.

Three-syllable names for baby boys, including popular three syllable boy names such as Benjamin and Theodore and unique three-syllable baby names for boys, including Templeton and Zoticus. (Page 665)

5000+ Three-Syllable Boy Names