3 Syllable Girl Names Ending in IE: Classic, Fresh, and Rare

We love 3 syllable girl names ending in IE or Y. 

Every generation has them. The last thirty years or so have given us plenty of women with names like Emily, Avery, Natalie, Destiny, Mackenzie, Kimberly, Valerie, Stephanie, Kennedy. 

Brittany and Tiffany were big in the 1980s and 90s. Go back a little farther, and there’s Dorothy and Marjorie, and on and on. 

In some ways, they’re not so different from popular two-syllable girl names ending with the same sound. Boyish choices like Charlie and Frankie, sweet traditionals like Daisy, Sophie, and Julie, and diminutives like Lottie, Edie, and Josie have all had their moments. Many of these are used as standalone names – think of Top 100 Sadie. Others, like Maddie, are most popular as a go-to nickname. 

But adding that third syllable changes things. 3 syllable girl names ending in IE or Y tend to be a little more distinctive, likely to be used in full. Some of these are quite rare, while others have been Top 100 – even Top Ten – names in the US in recent generation.

From surname names to imports, antiques to literary gems, word names to fresh inventions, this rhythm is one that quietly appeals, decade after decade.

ADALIE, ADELIE

Better known as a type of penguin, thanks to explorer JulesDumont d’Urville. d’Urville named a number of things in Antarctica after himself and his family, including the seabird. Adelie is a form of Adelaide.

AILANI, ALANI, AYLANI

Among the fastest-rising names for girls in the US in 2024, Aylani owes something to Aylin, the Spanish form of Eileen. But it’s even more influenced by our love of the Hawaiian ending -lani, which can mean sky, heaven, or royalty, depending on the name.

ALBANY

The city in upstate New York was named for the Duke of Albany.

ALIZEE

Popular in France in recent years, Alizee is spelled Alizée, from a word meaning trade wind. Strictly speaking, the French say it more like al ee ZAY. In the US, though, American parents might hear this as a sort of Eliza-meets-Allie-meets-Zoe mashup. 

AMARI

Trending unisex choice with an Arabic root meaning “long life.”

AMBERLY

An elaboration of Amberinfluenced by Kimberly, with more history than you might guess.

AMERIE

It could be a spin on the masculine Amory or Emery, but it seems to have caught parents’ attention thanks to a singer from the early 2000s.

AMELIE

The French form of the enduring Amelia, Amelie caught parents’ attention in 2001, thanks to Audrey Tatou’s star turn in the celebrated French film of the same name.

AMITY

A friendly choice.

ANASTASIE

Lovely Anastasia becomes Anastasie in French. While Stacie and Stacy peaked in the 1970s, Anastasia is more popular today. Anastasie splits the difference.

ANGOURIE

Place name inspired by actress Angourie Rice.

ANNALEE, ANNALIE, ANNELIE

With multiple spellings, it is hard to get a handle on just how popular the smoosh of Anna and Leemight be, but it has potential.

ANNEMARIE

Traditional combination of Anne and Marie.

ATHALIE

A French form of uncommon Old Testament name Athaliah. In the US, it might read like Natalie without the N.

AVERY

Surname names for girls have been wildly  popular over the generations. Ashley dominated during the 1980s, then grew up and named her daughter Avery.

AZELIE

Rare French name possibly related to the French word for the azalea flower, or related to the many Adelaide names. The canonization of Marie-Azelie Martin – more commonly known as Zelie – raised this name’s profile.

BELLAMY

A French surname with a great meaning – fine friend, plus the feminine short form Bella.

BETHANY

Biblical place name that owes something to evergreen Elizabeth, and something to our love of 3 syllable girl names ending in IE and Y. 

BETONY, BETTANY

A flowering herb with a long history of medicinal use, Betony sounds something like Bethany. It also brings to mind the surname of actor Paul Bettany, another possible spelling.

BEVERLY

A 1930s favorite, Beverly was an early borrowing of a surname name. In the 21st century, the name Everly echoes this earlier hit.

BLAKELY, BLAKELEY

Rising surname name boosted by the popularity of unisex Blake.

BRINKLEY

Another surname option, made familiar by 1980s supermodel Christie Brinkley.

BRIONY, BRYONY

Atonement made this a literary choice, but Briony is a nature name, borrowed from a vine. The spelling Bryony is more popular in the UK, but both are rare in the US.

CASSIDY

High energy Gaelic surname meaning curly-haired.

CECILY

In medieval English, Latin names dropped their -a endings for -ys instead. And so Cecilia became the frilly Cecily.

CHARITY

An admirable quality with an attractive sound.

CHASTITY

Possibly a bit much as virtue names go, but one with history.

CLARITY

A cousin to the classic Claire, part-modern word name and part virtue choice.

CLEMENCY

Like Clarity, this is a rarely used possibility, sounding like stylish Clementine and feeling like the Pilgrim-perfect name Mercy.

CONSTANCY

Yet another modern entry in this category, she’s a little more interesting than the conventional Constance.

CORALIE

A French form of Coral, this is an ocean-inspired nature name, too. It might also read like an elaboration of Cora.

DELANCEY

Delancey Street is a major thoroughfare on Manhattan’s Lower East Side.

DELANEY

Among the more popular picks on this list, Delaney is a stylish surname boosted even farther by the meteroic rise of Lainey.

DESTINY

Modern virtue name.

DOROTHY

She went over the rainbow, lending her name some adventurous spirit. Then Dorothy retired to Miami with her besties Rose and Blanche. Now the name is back again, a vintage possibility with plenty of spirit.

ELENI

The Greek form of Helenfeels springy and modern. There’s also artful cookie company, Eleni’s New York, to add a hint of sweetness to this name.

ELLERY

A surname related to fourth century Saint Hilarius, Ellery fits with Ellis, Ellison, and plenty of other names that lead to nickname Ellie.

ELODIE

A French spin on a ninth century saint’s name, Elodie picks up where the musical Melodyleaves off.

ELSABE

It sounds like Elsie-Bee, but Elsabe is an Afrikaans take on Elizabeth.

EMILY, EMILIE, EMMALEE

A former #1 name in the US, Emily is a classic name, blending tradition with a classic, feminine sensibility. The French spelling Emilie is another option, as is the Emma-lee smoosh. It’s probably the most common of all the 3 sylallable girl names ending in IE or Y.

EMERY, EMORY

Emmie names, like surname Emerson and word name Ember, are trending. Some fit in this category, too. Emery is the most popular spelling, but Emory also ranks in the current US Top 1000.

EUGENIE

Will antique Eugeneever make a comeback? Hard to say, but this French feminine form worn by a British princess has some style.

EULALIE

Eulalie shares the oo of Lucy and Luna, and the double L of Lily and Lyla. Despite this, Eulalie remains quite rare.

EUPHRASIE

French take on a Greek name, Euphrasie means good cheer. Fans of Broadway’s Les Miserables might know that this is actually Cosette’s given name.

EVADNE, EVANTHE

Both borrowed from Greek myth and legend, these names fit with Penelope and Chloe. Shorten either to Evie for something more wearable.

EVERLY, EVERLEE, EVERLIE, EVERLEIGH

Ever makes this a modern virtue name; the Everly Brothers make it a muscial surname name. It also illustrates how 3 syllable girl names ending in IE or Y can also be re-spelled lots of ways, including the elaborate -leigh.

FLANNERY

Literary surname Harper was a smash hit not so long ago, and remains quite popular. Could Flannery O’Connor’s name follow? Just like Nelle Harper Lee, the writer used her middle professionally. She was born Mary Flannery O’Connor.

GENEVIE

Genevieve, minus few letters, and with a fresh sound.

HARMONY

A musical term and a synonym for accord.

HOLIDAY, HOLLIDAY

Fun fact: we all know Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s as Holly Golightly. In the book, the character’s full name was Holiday. British actress Holliday Grainger is another notable figure.

HONESTY

Another English word name with an impeccable virtue vibe.

IMANI

A Swahili word meaning faith, Imani has found favor in recent years. The Arabic Amani sounds similar, but has a slightly different meaning – wishes.

IDONY

A medieval English spin on a name from Old Norse myth. Idunwas the goddess of spring.

IONE

It’s just four letters, but Ione fits with 3 syllable girl names ending in IE. Pronounce it eye-own-NEE. It means violet – like the flower – in Greek. Iolanthe is a longer form, adding one more syllable to the name.

IVORY

Ivy meets Avery in a name that’s a little bit musical.

JESSAMY

Older form of Jasmine, with a hint of former favorite Jessica.

KAILANI, KEHLANI

Sea meets sky in the Hawaiian Kailani. Alternative spellings abound. Singer-songwriter Kehlani makes that particular take on the name very popular.

KHALEESI

In the Game of Thrones universe, Khaleesi isn’t a given name at all. It’s a title, the equivalent of queen in the Dothraki language. But Emilia Clarke’s portrayal of the very blonde, dragon-riding ruler put Khaleesi on the lists of popular baby girl names in the US.

KATERI

The Mohawk version of Catherine, Kateri Tekawitha became the first Native American saint in the Catholic church. It could share nickname Katie or Kate.

KENNEDY

We love K surnames for girls, like Kerry, Kelsey, and Kenley, but only Kennedy qualifies as one of the 3 syllable girl names ending in IE or Y. Other spellings, like Kenadi, have also been used over the years.

LARAMIE

Place name possibility with Western swagger.

LAYLANI, LEILANI

Leilani is a Hawaiian name meaning “heavenly flower” or “royal child.” Plenty of other spellings are trending now, thanks to our love of -lani names, as well as double-L choices like Lily and Lyla.

LEONIE

A Leo name with potential for our daughters.

LIBERTY

Bouncy, potentially patriotic word name that has resonated for parents at different points in history.

LORELAI, LORELEI, LORELIE

A name from German folklore, Lorelai became a pop culture sensation thanks to hit television series Gilmore Girls. 

MACKENZIE

Polished Scottish surname name.

MALLORY

The world met the name Mallory in the 1980s, thanks to hit sitcom Family Ties. Today it fits with chart-topping surnames like Avery.

MAELIE

A French feminine name related to Maël, meaning prince.

MAGALI, MAGALIE

An obscure French version of Margaret, a different sound that still leads to the short form Maggie.

MARGERY, MARJORIE

A medieval spin on Margaret, the Marjorie spelling has been more popular in recent decades. Names like Margot and Maisie are trending now. Game of Thrones gave us a Queen Margaery.

MCKINLEY

A Scottish surname that owes its popularity to choices like Mackenzie.

MELANIE

Borrowed from the Greek word melania, meaning dark, and the name of an early saint.

MELODY

Musical choice.

MERRILY

Cheerful adverb name.

NAOMI, NOEMI, NOEMIE 

Faithful, Biblical Naomi is a Top 100 favorite. Noemi and Noemie are European alternatives.

NAPHTALI

Also spelled Naftali, this is a masculine name in the Old Testament that sounds like so many 3 syllable girl names ending in IE or Y, and thus is sometimes considered unisex in the US.

NATALIE

A long-time favorite for girls in the English-speaking world, Natalie is a blend of Christmas (from the Latin phrase natale domini) and Hollywood’s Natalie Wood. Appropriately, Wood’s breakout role was as the little girl in classic holiday movie A Miracle on 34th Street.

NOVALEE, NOVALIE

An elaboration of Nova, which means “new” in Latin, Novalee caught parents’ attention thanks to the 1995 novel turned 2000 movie Where the Heart Is. The film starred a young Natalie Portman, which probably emphasized the way that Novalee fit with appealing 3 syllable girl names ending in IE, Y, or even EE.

OTTILIE

French feminine form of the German Otto, Ottilie has been big with name fans for years. Potential short form Tillie or Tilly is a bonus.

POETRY

A noun name in the company of Poet, Poem, Sonnet, Lyric, Story, and Fable.

REGENCY

Big, bold word name option with royal patina.

ROMILLY

Obscure surname imported to England by the Normans, Romilly sounds like vintage girls’ favorites Rose and Millie.

ROSALIE

Lovely elaboration of Rose.

ROSEMARIE, ROSEMARY

A combination of two enduring names, with a tie to the herb, too.

ROYALTY

Somehow not quite as bold as titles like Princess or Queen, and a fit with this list.

REVERIE

Take word name Dream, but make it fit with 3 syllable girl names ending in IE and you’ll have Reverie.

RHAPSODY

Another musical term that might work as a child’s name.

SIDONIE

Yes, it’s easily confused for Sidney and Sydney. But it’s the feminine form of Sidonius, a fifth century saint’s name.

STEPHANIE

Feminine form of Stephen with a long history of use.

TIFFANY

Medieval name borrowed from Theophania, which referred to the Epiphany, a religious feast day celebrated on January 6th.

TRINITY

Word name meaning three, often associated with the Christian concept of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

VALANCY

Obscure surname made a little more familiar thanks to LM Montgomery’s novel The Blue Castle.

VALERIE, VALERY

From the Latin word meaning “to be strong.”

VALKYRIE

A figure from Norse mythology, Valkyrie felt more like a possible name after Tessa Thompson played comic book character Valkyrie in the Thor movies.

VERITY, VERILY

Possibly a bit more subtle than True. 

VICTORY

Victor and Victoria are long-time classic choices, but straight-up word name Victory has potential.

WAVERLY

Part-nature name, part-literary favorite, Waverly feels very wearable.

WILLABEA, WILLOUGHBY

Billie names like Willow and Willa have trended in recent years. Surname Willoughby fits right in, as does the phonetic, Southern-tinged Willabea or Willabee.

XOLANI, XOLANIE

Unisex Zulu name meaning peace.

What are your favorite 3 syllable girl names ending in IE or Y?

First published on September 21, 2012, this post was revised on July 2, 2025.