I find that all too often I’m ruling out combinations based upon my own preferences for the rhythm of names.
We all have one set constant we’re working with: the surname. Using your own syllable count (or others, if you want!), please share your thoughts on what first and middle syllable counts work with your surname!
It used to be that I wouldn’t consider 2-syllable firsts because my last has two syllables. It sounded sing-songy. However, I started taking notice of how many people (my husband and I included) have a 2+2 name. I have 2+2+2, actually! It does sound a little “tra-la-la,” but actually the 2+2+1 combo I had with my maiden name was even worse. I’m sure part of it depends on the actual sounds you’re working with, as well.
So now I’m back to including 2-syllable firsts, but prefer 2+3+2 or 2+1+2 combos.
I know people say to stagger the syllable count, but in some cases I like when all three names have the same count. I have a very Anglo surname of three syllables, with the same rhythm as the name [name]Finnegan[/name]. Some 3-3-3 examples that I think sound great are:
[name]Cambria[/name] [name]Verity[/name] [name]Finnegan[/name]
[name]Sylvia[/name] [name]Olivet[/name] (stress on first syllable) [name]Finnegan[/name]
[name]Virginia[/name] [name]Sonata[/name] [name]Finnegan[/name]
I also like 2-3-3, as in:
[name]Amy[/name] [name]Augusta[/name] [name]Finnegan[/name]
I think in the end it just depends on each individual name combo for me. My list of names is all across the board in terms of syllable count, and in my opinion (of course) they all sound great! I like [name]Lane[/name] [name]Lawson[/name] [name]Finnegan[/name] (1-2-3), [name]Thurlow[/name] [name]Dan[/name] [name]Finnegan[/name] (2-1-3), and [name]Tabitha[/name] [name]Mae[/name] [name]Finnegan[/name] (3-1-3), etc.
I’ve got a 2-1-2 name, OH has a 2-2-1 name and so I’ll end up with a 2-1-1 name, which actually doesn’t sound that bad. I think for a child though I’d have to go with a 2-x-1 or a 3-x-1 name most likely, though there’s a couple of 1-x-1 names I’d consider, but have to go for a much longer middle to balance it out - something like [name]George[/name] [name]Alexander[/name]. I think it totally depends on the names though, because a six letter name like [name]George[/name] feels longer than a three letter name like [name]Max[/name], even though it’s said in exactly the same syllable count.
I usually like names that are all mixed up syllable-wise. 3-2-1, 1-2-3, etc.
But the middle name I want give a daughter is 3 syllables. So is my top girls name. Since the middle has so much meaning I don’t care at all about the syllable count. First and last is what matters to me.
I tend to do two middles and long names, to boot - so my combos will often end up 3-2-3-2 or what have you, length doesn’t bother me at all. I’m more bothered by which syllables are stressed, usually.
My surname has two syllables, I seem to like names that are 2 syllables for the fn, 1 or 2 syllables for the mn.
My name is 3+3+2, and I went with 2+3+2 for my son. I do like at least one of the names to have a different number of syllables than the rest, but it’s not a hard and fast rule. My brother and two of his children have 2+2+2 names, but they all sound great.
For myself, I avoid a lot of 1+1 combos because they are often too abrupt for me. I also avoid very long combinations, like 3+4 or 4+4, because they start to sound too long and clumsy. But, again, there are exceptions to every rule.
So interesting to hear different takes!
It’s worth noting that the vast majority of people don’t use their middles in everyday (spoken) life, so I suppose it mostly comes down to first-last balance as opposed to first-middle-last. I think when naming babes it’s so easy to lose sight of that! I know that I only use my middle name when people ask what it is, so then it becomes standalone.
I had never though about this, but am starting to realize that I seem to like many, many syllable counts!
I’m 3-1-3, soon to be 3-1-2 and both work well [name]IMO[/name]. No children yet, but my “definite” combos are 4-2-2, 1-2-2, 2-2-2, and 2-1-2.
In order I would prefer:
the 4-2-2 option ([name]Alexander[/name] [name]Owen[/name] LastName)
2-1-2 ([name]Bridget[/name] [name]Claire[/name])
1-2-2 ([name]Mark[/name] [name]Thomas[/name])
and
2-2-2 ([name]Evan[/name] [name]Ryan[/name])
So I guess with that in mind the only thing I can conclude is that I don’t want all three names to be two syllables. In addition I don’t think I particular like when the mn has two either (seems clunky with the last name), even though three of my favorite mn’s are two syllables ([name]Owen[/name] and [name]Thomas[/name] seem to avoid sounding clunky next to last name [name]Lacey[/name]). However I don’t think I often put syllable flow in front of preferred names. Sound is more important than syllable (like [name]Jack[/name] [name]Adam[/name]. . . I’m ok with the syllable, but it just doesn’t “work” for me, even though it combines two names I adore).
Sorry for the long rant on the subject!
For myself, I like a mix, as well as many other posters. We have a 2 syllable last name, so I am hesitant about 2-2-2. So far, we have a 4-2-2 and a 1-4-2. My husband is 2-2-2 and its one that actually sounds fine. I’m ok with a 2 syllable first name if the middle name is not 2 (ideally…there are exceptions). Many of the names I love right now are 3-2-2, 2-3-2, and 3-3-2 combos.
My married name is a 3-3-3. My son is 2-1-2-3. Hubby is 2-2-2-3. I don’t think syllable count really matters unless you really care about flow. I would chose names I love even if they don’t flow great, over names I only like because they flow better.
I have a 4-1-1 combo and it actually flows pretty well and I’ve discovered that I prefer names that have the same syllable count as mine, but maybe not the syllable combo something like…
[name]Sylvia[/name] [name]Lily[/name] [name]Smith[/name]
[name]Rose[/name] [name]Athena[/name] [name]Johnson[/name]
[name]Felix[/name] [name]Graham[/name] [name]Anderson[/name]
Etc…
I do not like names with the same amounts of syllables next to each other. Another rule I follow is-odd/even or vice versa. My favourite combo is:
2-3
I have a two-syllable last name, so I don’t really consider myself too limited by syllable balance :).
However, it is nine letters long, so the name can’t be too much of a mouthful on paper 
~R
Mine is 4-2-3 but will soon be changed to 4-3-2. [name]Baby[/name] is getting 2-2-2. I thought about it a lot, but all my favorites were 2-syllable and I didn’t want to pick a name I didn’t really like just to fulfill syllable counts. All 3 names do have very different sounds, so I don’t think it’s sing-songy. My middle name list did have different length names, but none of them fit right or felt right.