Three Syllable Names for Boys

Colonel is an unusual masculine name derived directly from the military rank, which ultimately comes from the Italian word "colonnello," meaning the commander of a column of soldiers. As a given name, Colonel has never been common but occasionally appears in American naming records, particularly in the Southern United States. The name conveys authority, leadership, and a military connection, making it appeal to families with strong military traditions or appreciation for military values. Unlike many title-based names (like Duke or Earl) that have become more accepted as given names, Colonel has remained quite rare. The name carries a formal, commanding presence and might be chosen to honor a family's military heritage or to express aspirations of leadership for a child.

Colonel

Hilliard is a masculine name with Germanic origins, derived from the elements 'hild' meaning 'battle' and 'hard' meaning 'brave' or 'strong.' It emerged primarily as a surname before transitioning to occasional use as a given name. Hilliard projects an image of dignified strength with historical depth. The name has never been exceedingly common but has maintained consistent, albeit limited, usage throughout the English-speaking world. Hilliard carries aristocratic associations in some contexts, perhaps due to its connection to notable families and its formal sound. The name peaked in popularity in the early 20th century and has since become less common, giving it a distinctive vintage quality. Parents choosing Hilliard often appreciate its sophisticated sound, historical connections, and the friendly nickname options like Hill or Hilly that soften its formality.

Hilliard

Is there any boys' name more loaded than Stonewall? It evokes, in two syllables, both the Stonewall riots of 1969, the foundational moment of the gay rights movement, and Stonewall Jackson, second in fame only to Robert E. Lee among Confederate generals. Hard to say whether those two connections weirdly cancel each other out, leaving a ruggedly handsome name behind, or amplify each other, rendering the name too controversial to use.

Stonewall

Ephriam is a variant of the biblical name Ephraim, derived from Hebrew origins meaning "fruitful" or "productive." In the Old Testament, Ephraim was the second son of Joseph and the founder of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Ephriam has remained relatively uncommon in modern usage, maintaining a traditional and distinctive quality. This spelling variation gives the name a unique character while preserving its biblical heritage. Though not frequently chosen for baby boys today, Ephriam appeals to parents seeking a name with religious significance and historical depth. The name carries connotations of abundance and prosperity, reflecting its etymological roots.

Ephriam

Henery

Eligah appears to be a variant spelling of the biblical name Elijah, which comes from the Hebrew 'Eliyahu' meaning 'Yahweh is my God.' This alternative spelling maintains the same pronunciation while offering a distinctive written form. The original Elijah was a significant prophet in the Old Testament known for his unwavering faith and miraculous deeds. While the traditional spelling Elijah has been consistently popular, ranking high in many English-speaking countries, Eligah represents a much rarer variation. This alternative spelling emerged in recent decades as parents sought unique ways to personalize traditional names. Eligah carries the same spiritual significance and strong historical roots as its more common counterpart while standing out on paper.

Eligah

Asberry is an uncommon masculine name with likely Anglo-Saxon or Old English origins. It may have evolved as a surname before transitioning to occasional use as a first name, following the pattern of many surnames that became given names. Possibly derived from combinations of elements like "ash" (referring to the ash tree) and "berry" or "bury" (meaning fort, manor, or township), giving it connections to place names in medieval England. Asberry has remained exceedingly rare throughout modern naming records, giving it a distinctive quality for contemporary bearers. The name carries a rustic, traditional resonance with its natural imagery and historical feel, potentially appealing to parents seeking unique names with an old-world character and English linguistic roots.

Asberry

Asbury Park, a quirky town on the Jersey Shore, was named for Francis Asbury, the first American bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Springsteen fans will likely be among those most drawn to Asbury as a first name; the Boss's first album was called "Greetings from Asbury Park."

Asbury

Commodore is a masculine name derived from the military naval rank, which originated from the French 'commandeur' and Latin 'commendare' meaning 'to entrust' or 'to command.' As a given name, it gained limited usage in the United States during the 19th century, reflecting the nation's growing naval power and admiration for military titles. The name carries strong connotations of authority, leadership, and nautical tradition. While never widely popular, Commodore occasionally appeared as both a first and middle name for boys, particularly in families with naval connections or patriotic values. The name experienced a slight resurgence of interest with the popularity of Commodore computers in the 1980s. Today, it remains a rare choice that conveys strength and distinguished heritage.

Commodore

Agustus is an alternative spelling of Augustus, a name with deep historical roots in ancient Rome. The name derives from Latin and means 'majestic,' 'venerable,' or 'revered.' The original Augustus was the first Roman emperor, Octavian Augustus, giving the name strong associations with leadership and nobility. This spelling variation, Agustus, appears to simplify the traditional spelling while maintaining the classical essence. While less common than Augustus, this variant has occasionally appeared in English-speaking countries over the centuries. The name carries a dignified, imperial quality that suggests strength and historical significance, appealing to parents drawn to classical names with strong character associations.

Agustus

Albertus is the Latin form of Albert, a masculine name derived from the Germanic elements 'adal' (noble) and 'beraht' (bright), thus meaning 'noble and bright' or 'nobly famous.' This classical form was widely used throughout medieval Europe, particularly among scholars, clergy, and nobility. 

The name carries historical weight through figures like Albertus Magnus, the 13th-century German philosopher and theologian. While the shortened form Albert became more common in most English-speaking countries, Albertus retained popularity in Latin-influenced contexts and in parts of Northern Europe, especially the Netherlands. 

The name conveys a sense of timeless dignity and intellectual tradition. Today, it appeals primarily to parents seeking a name with classical roots and substantial historical depth rather than contemporary popularity.

Albertus

Alvia is a masculine name with multiple possible origins. It may derive from Latin roots, possibly related to 'albus' meaning 'white' or 'bright,' suggesting purity or clarity. Alternatively, it could be a variant of Alvah, which has Hebrew origins meaning 'sublimity' or 'exalted one.' In some cultures, Alvia appears as a masculine variant of Alvina or Alba. The name has remained relatively uncommon throughout history, giving it a distinctive quality. It carries a gentle yet dignified sound that balances traditional masculine qualities with a certain softness. Alvia has seen occasional use across different European cultures but has never reached widespread popularity in any particular region.

Alvia

Eliga is a rare masculine name with uncertain origins. It may be a variant of Elijah, which comes from the Hebrew name Eliyahu, meaning 'my God is Yahweh.' Alternatively, it could derive from Greek or Latin roots. Eliga has remained uncommon throughout history, never appearing on most popular name charts. The name carries a distinctive sound that combines the familiar 'Eli' prefix with a unique ending. Though uncommon, it shares qualities with other biblical-sounding names while maintaining its individuality. In some cultures, Eliga might be used as a variant spelling of similar names or may have independent regional origins.

Eliga

Waverly, with its literary resonance and lilting three-syllable sound, could well become the next generation's successor to Kimberly. Although, like Kimberly, it's overwhelmingly catching on for girls. Its cool, bohemian surname feel places it among the new stylish <a href="https://nameberry.com/baby-names/501/english-names-for-girls">English names for girls</a>, successors to Ashley and Whitney.
 Spelled Waverley, this is the title of Sir Walter Scott's popular 1814 novel, whose hero is a young English soldier named Edward Waverley (it's believed that Scott named the novel after the model of pen he used to write it). Spelled the more streamlined way, Waverly is the name of the daughter of Buttercup and Wesley in The Princess Bride and a memorable character in The Joy Luck Club, who was named by her Chinese mother for the San Francisco street on which the family lived.
 Waverly Place in Greenwich Village was named for the Scott novel in 1833 – dropping the second 'e', and was the setting of the teen show The Wizards of Waverly Place, as well as Don Draper's bachelor pad in Mad Men and a character on Friday Night Lights.

Waverly

Josephus is a masculine name with ancient Roman and Biblical connections, representing the Latin form of Joseph. With roots in Hebrew Yosef meaning "he will add," the name gained prominence through Biblical figures and early Christian history. Most notably, Flavius Josephus was a first-century Jewish historian whose works provide valuable insights into early Jewish and Christian history. This scholarly association gives the name an intellectual, classical quality. While Joseph remains common across many cultures, Josephus offers a distinctive, erudite alternative that maintains the familiar root while evoking classical learning and historical depth. Though rare in contemporary usage, it appeals to parents drawn to names with substantive historical weight and traditional masculine strength. The name carries dignity and gravitas while connecting to the more familiar Joseph tradition.

Josephus

Littleton is a masculine name of English origin that began as a geographical surname referring to someone from any of several places named Littleton in England. These place names typically combined 'little' with 'ton' (meaning town or settlement), describing a small township. As a first name, Littleton is extremely rare, maintaining an air of distinction and uniqueness. It carries associations with English heritage and may appeal to parents seeking a sophisticated, uncommon name with historical connections. The name has an aristocratic quality reminiscent of English landed gentry, as several notable families with the Littleton surname have held titles of nobility throughout British history. Despite its reference to something small, the name conveys a sense of dignity and traditional English character.

Littleton

Amasa is a rare Biblical name borne by two figures. One is the son of Abigail and nephew of King David, who named him commander of the rebels. This Amasa met a tragic end when he was murdered by Joab. 

The other Biblical Amasa was one of the Children of Ephraim.

Amasa

Governor is far from one of the established occupational names such as Porter or Cooper, but with babies names King and Prince, Governor certainly wouldn't seem as outlandish today as it once might have. 

Governor

Casimer is a masculine name of Polish origin, representing an Anglicized variant of Kazimierz (Casimir). The name derives from Slavic elements meaning 'destroyer of peace' or 'announcer of peace,' though the latter interpretation is more commonly embraced. It gained prominence through several Polish kings and saints named Casimir, particularly St. Casimir, patron saint of Poland and Lithuania. While never extremely common in English-speaking countries, Casimer enjoyed modest usage in Polish-American communities throughout the 20th century. The name carries an air of aristocratic heritage and Eastern European character. Its traditional roots appeal to parents seeking names with historical depth and cultural significance. Casimer offers its bearers a distinguished name with royal connections while remaining distinctive in most contemporary settings.

Casimer

Ovila is a rare masculine name with Latin origins, derived from the word 'ovilis' meaning 'relating to sheep.' It could be considered a variation of Avila or related to names like Ovid. The name has historical usage in French-Canadian communities, particularly in Quebec, where it appeared during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Ovila carries a gentle, pastoral quality in its meaning and sound. While uncommon in contemporary naming practices, it represents a connection to agricultural heritage and simpler times. The name has a distinctive quality that balances uniqueness with historical grounding, making it an interesting choice for parents seeking a name with both character and subtlety.

Ovila

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 699)

5000+ Three-Syllable Boy Names