Scylla

This mythological sea monster, as described in Homer's Odyssey, lives on one side of a narrow channel of water opposite her counterpart, Charybdis. Scylla is described as having 12 feet and six heads on long snaky necks, each head having a triple row of sharklike teeth. She had the habit on snacking on passing sailors, including several of Odysseus's crew.

There are two other Scyllas in Greek mythology: a princess of Megara who betrays her city and sabotages her father, and a one of the Danaids, notable for killing her cousin Proteus. Pronounced as SIL-uh in English but as skul-lah in Greek, it is derived from skyllo, meaning to "pluck, tear, plunder, and torment".

While its meaning and mythological connections may feel rather bloodthirsty or off-putting to many, Scylla has been appearing in the US stats since 2017, with 7 babies given the name in a recent year. Sometimes used as a short form of Biblical Priscilla (if spelled Priscylla),it would make a daring choice, with a somewhat familiar sound. It may be best, however, to save it for a fictional character.

Pronounced SIL-uh.

As of October 2026, Scylla ranked #12970 in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #11090 in 2022.