Nickname help!
We want to name our baby Penelope but we can’t decide on a nickname? Help!
Stuck on choosing a name? Rhythm is a fun way to do it. Not too long, not too short, 3 syllable girl names are just right. Curious? Read on to get the 411.
Do you feel a kinship with Goldilocks?
Looking for a name that’s not super short but also not super long?
A little something in the middle?
3 syllable girl names might just be the perfect fit!
A syllable is a part of a word with its own vowel sound.
Rhythmically, 3 syllable names are those made up of 3 of these parts.
Think E-ve-lyn, De-li-a or Mad-i-son.
When in doubt, clap it out!
Here are our picks for fantastic 3 syllable names for girls.
In this article: 📝
- What are the 3 most popular girl names? (3-syllable edition)
- What’s a rare name for a girl? (3-syllable edition)
- What’s a powerful name for a girl: 3 syllable edition.
- 3 syllable girls names: the bonus list
What are the 3 most popular girl names? (3-syllable edition)
There are three 3 syllable girls’ names that made the top ten in the U.S. for 2021.
- Amelia This romantic girl’s name comes in at #4 and is the top-ranking 3-syllable girl name on the list. From its German roots, it means “work.” An elegant name used for past European princesses, Amelia has skyrocketed in popularity in recent years. It shortens well to Ames, Lia, Mia, Mel, and Millie.
But hold on!
Is Amelia three syllables or four? Well, this will differ depending on your accent. Amelia could be pronounced a-mel-i-a or a-mel-ya. The second option gets it on our list.
- Sophia: Coming in close behind Amelia at #6, Sophia is a stylish and sophisticated name. Greek in origin, it means “wisdom.” Sophia has been one of the top 10 names in the US since 2006, coming in at #1 between 2011 and 2013. Soph, Sophs, Fi, Sophie, and Phia are all common nicknames for the gorgeous Sophia.
- Evelyn: Sneaking in at #9, Evelyn is actually a unisex name that has become more commonly used for girls in recent years. It has its roots in the Norman French name Aveline and was originally an English surname. Super popular in the US in the early 1900s, it became less common over the years before landing back in the top 20 in 2013. Evie, Lyn, or the simple Ev make for good nicknames. And it’s a great option if you’re looking for something not too gender-specific.
What’s a rare name for a girl? (3-syllable edition)
If you’re looking for a name you may not have heard before or is not a regular in the Top 100 US names, look no further.
Check out this list of names that are a little out of the ordinary.
- Aamani: Variation of Imani. Arabic. “Faith.”
- Aaniyah: Variation of Anya. Russian. “Grace.”
- Abelia: Hebrew. “Sigh, breath.”
- Abeni: Yoruba. “We prayed for her, and she arrived.”
- Aitana: Arabic. “Our people, our glory.”
- Aleela: Swahili. “She cries.”
- Ariel: Everyone’s favorite mermaid. From Hebrew roots, Ariel means “lion of God.”
- Calista: Greek. “Most beautiful.”
- Christabel: Latin. “Fair Christian.”
- Daniela: Hebrew. “God is my judge.”
- Davina: Scottish. “Beloved.”
- Delia: A Greek name meaning “woman of Delos.”
- Eliza: Eliza Doolittle is one of the most enduring musical characters ever created. The name is Hebrew and means “pledged to God.”
- Elodie: This name has French origins and means “foreign riches.”
- Emmeline: This ancient name meaning “hardworking” comes from Old German.
- Gwendolen: Welsh. “White ring, circle.”
- Hannelore: German. “Grace” and “God is my light.”
- Imogen: Celtic. “Maiden.”
- Kerensa: Cornish. “Love”
- Merida: Not just an animated heroine, this Latin name means “one who has achieved a high place of honor.”
- Mirabelle: French. “Marvelous.”
- Rhiannon: Welsh. “Divine Queen.”
- Ronisha: English. “Strong counsel.”
- Vivienne/Vivian: This elegant name is French and means “life.”
- Zamira: Arabic. “Conscientious.”
- Zelia: Hebrew. “Zealous and ardent.”
What’s a powerful name for a girl: 3 syllable edition.
We are lucky enough to live in a time where strong female role models are celebrated.
For this reason, many parents look for mighty names for their girl children.
Check out these powerful 3 syllable options. 💪
- Adira: Hebrew meaning “strong.”
- Adira: Hebrew. “Strong,” “noble,” and “powerful.”
- Alexa: Greek. From the masculine Alexander — “helper and defender of mankind.”
- Amara: German. “Steadfast, immortal.”
- Ambrosia: Greek. “Immortal.”
- Annalise: This German name means “grace.” It’s the name of Viola Davis’ character in How to Get Away With Murder, and you don’t get any stronger than that!
- Aria: This name meaning “lioness” in Greek is super fierce.
- Athena: She’s the ancient Greek goddess of wisdom.
- Aurelia: Latin. “The golden one.”
- Cassandra: A strong name with a strong history in Greek mythology. Means ”the one who shines and excels.”
- Destiny: Need we say more?
- Diana: A Latin name meaning “divine” and also the name of a Roman goddess.
- Emery: A beautiful gender-neutral name meaning “powerful.”
- Genesis: Greek meaning “birth.”
- Genevieve: This regal-sounding French name means “woman of the family.”
- Kemena: Spanish. Simply “strong.”
- Khaleesi: This name, introduced to the world by author George R.R. Martin is the very definition of fierce feminine names!
- Leona: Latin, meaning “lion.”
- Louisa: Feminine version of Louis meaning ”renowned warrior.”
- Marcheline: French meaning “warrior.”
- Matilda: German. “Battle mighty.”
- Pandora: Greek. “All gifted.”
- Remington: This Old English name means “from the raven’s home.”
- Trinity: Latin meaning “three.” She’s the badass female lead in The Matrix.
- Valena: Latin. “Strong and healthy.”
3 syllable girls names: the bonus list
Still looking to be inspired?
Consider one of these other well-liked and just de-light-full 3-syllable girl names.
Many make regular appearances in the top 100 US names — and if they don’t, we think they should.
- Abigail: Hebrew, meaning “my father is joyful.”
- Addison: Old English. “Son of Adam.”
- Adeline: French, meaning “noble.”
- Aliyah: Arabic. “Heavens, highborn, exalted.”
- Allison: Scottish. “Noble.”
- Angela: Did you know this beautiful name actually means “angel”?
- Annabelle: French. “Loving.”
- Aurora: Latin meaning “dawn.”
- Avery: A beautiful name meaning “ruler of elves.”
- Beatrice: This Latin name meaning “she who brings happiness” shortens to the ever so cute “Bea.” We think it’s ready for a renaissance.
- Camila: Portuguese. “Religious attendant.”
- Caroline: French feminine version of Charles meaning “free man.”
- Cassidy: Irish. “Curly headed.”
- Celia: Latin. “Heavenly.”
- Delilah: Hey there, Delilah! This Hebrew name means “delicate” and ranks #58 on the US name charts.
- Delphina: Greek. “Dolphin.”
- Elenor: Hebrew. “God is my light.”
- Emerson: British. “Brave and powerful.”
- Emilia: Latin. “To strive or excel.”
- Emily: This Latin name means “rival.”
- Everly: A gender-neutral name meaning “boar” and “woodland clearing,” Everly is both strong and peaceful.
- Fiona: Gaelic. “Fair”
- Georgia: English. “Farmer.”
- Harriet: German. “Home.”
- Jennifer: Cornish. “A fair lady.”
- Joanna: Hebrew. “God is gracious.”
- Josephine: A beautiful French name, the feminine of Joseph meaning “Jehovah increases.”
- Juliet: Latin. “Youthful.”
- Kennedy: Scottish. “Chief with helmet.”
- Leilani: Hawaiian. “Heavenly flower.”
- Lorelei: German. “Alluring.”
- Lydia: Greek. “Beautiful one.”
- Madeline: English. “High tower” or “woman from Magdala.”
- Makayla: Hebrew. “Like God.”
- Madison: Originally an English surname meaning “son of Mathew.”
- Marcella: Latin. “Dedicated to Mars.”
- Margaret: Greek. “Pearl.”
- Natalie: Latin. “Birth of the Lord.”
- Naomi: Hebrew. “Gentle and pleasant.”
- Meredith: Not just our favorite doctor, but also meaning “powerful ruler.”
- Rebecca: Hebrew. “To tie or bind.”
- Rosalie: Meaning “rose.”
- Savannah: Spanish. “Treeless plain.”
- Sierra: Spanish. “Saw” or “mountain range.”
- Valerie: Latin. “Health and strength.”
Whatever name you choose for your coming babe, and no matter how many syllables it has, Peanut will be applauding you every step of the way.