Greek Names for Girls

Hyacynthe is a rare feminine name derived from the Greek Hyakinthos, referring to the hyacinth flower and the mythological figure Hyacinthus, a beautiful youth beloved by Apollo. The traditional spelling 'Hyacinthe' is more common in French contexts, while this variant with a 'y' adds a distinctive touch. In Greek mythology, Hyacinthus was accidentally killed by Apollo, and from his blood sprang the hyacinth flower, giving the name associations with beauty, rebirth, and tragic love. As a name, Hyacynthe carries an ethereal, vintage quality with literary and botanical connections. Extremely rare in contemporary usage, it appeals to parents seeking a name with classical origins and profound symbolic meaning, while also appreciating its delicate, flowering quality and unusual character.

Hyacynthe

Hyacinthe is a feminine name with Greek origins, derived from the name of the purple-blue flower called hyacinth. In Greek mythology, Hyacinthus was a beautiful youth beloved by Apollo. The feminine form Hyacinthe has been more common in French-speaking regions than in English-speaking countries. It carries an air of classical elegance and floral beauty. Though never widely popular in the United States or United Kingdom, the name has maintained a steady presence in France and among families with French heritage. Parents might choose this name for its beautiful sound, classical references, floral connection, and distinctly feminine yet sophisticated quality.

Hyacinthe

Like Violet, Lavender and Lilac, Ianthe is a purple flower name. Chosen by the poet Shelley for his daughter, Ianthe has a poetic, romantic, almost ethereal quality. In the ancient myth, she was the daughter of Oceanus, supreme ruler of the sea, and also a Cretan woman so beautiful that when she died the Gods made purple flowers grow around her grave.
 Iantha is also used.
 Ianthe was a favorite of the pastoral poets of the seventeenth century and then again in the early nineteenth. She appears in the works of Shelley, Barbara Pym and Georgette Heyer. Writer Richard Brautigan named his daughter Ianthe.

Ianthe

Iolanthe is known primarily through the 1882  Gilbert & Sullivan operetta of that name, in which the title character is a fairy. Iolanthe is a softer version of Yolanda, and is the kind of multi-syllabic classical name once considered too weighty for a modern baby girl, but now within the realm of possibility--this one as a dramatic twist on Violet. The biggest drawback is its variety of legitimate pronunciations in English.

Iolanthe

An alternate spelling of Yolanda, used in some of the Romance languages.

Iolanda

Iolande is a feminine name with medieval European heritage, representing a variant of Yolanda or Iolanthe. Derived from the Greek elements 'ion' (violet flower) and 'anthos' (flower), it literally means 'violet flower.' This elegant name was popularized in the medieval period, particularly in France and other parts of Europe. With its romantic, flowing sound and noble history, Iolande evokes images of courtly elegance and natural beauty. Though less common than its variants in modern usage, it maintains an air of sophisticated distinction. The name has occasional appearances in literature and historical contexts, adding to its cultured appeal. Iolande offers parents a name with classic European roots and a delicate, floral meaning.

Iolande

Also relating to the sea and the islands, this name is a bit more melodic than its cousins. 

Ionia

In mythology, Iphigenia was sacrificed by her father, Agamemnon -- a difficult legacy to pass on to a daughter, and only one reason the name is hardly ever used. 

Iphigenia

Yannia is a feminine name with Greek origins, derived from the masculine name Yannis, which is a variant of John meaning "God is gracious." The feminine form adds a soft, elegant quality while maintaining the name's traditional roots. Yannia remains relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries, giving it a distinctive and exotic appeal. Its melodic sound pattern with the flowing 'nn' consonant blend makes it both memorable and graceful. The name has seen modest usage in Mediterranean countries and Hispanic communities, though it maintains its status as a unique choice that balances traditional origins with contemporary style.

Yannia

Jocasta is a mythological name fashionably used in England, but mostly ignored here. She was the mother of Oedipus, King of Thebes, whom he (oops) unwittingly married. If you can ignore that small error in judgment, you'll find an interesting and attractive J name that's neither overused nor terminally dated. 
 Jocasta is also a moon of Jupiter, and a Cloud Atlas character, playing in the film by Halle Berry.

Jocasta

One of a number of similar forms of the "violet" name family used throughout Europe — others include Yolanda, Violante and Iolanthe.

Jolán

May be the most modern, stylish Catherine nickname: more unusual than Kate or Cate, with an animal and word name edge.  Cat Power is a trendy folksinger.

An interesting name despite the pronunciation challenge. It has literary roots, both in the classical poetry of Horace, and as a character in John Fowles' The French Lieutenant's Woman. Appealing nicknames are Lalla and Lally.

Lalage

Letha is taken from Lethe, the mythological River of Oblivion.  Letha now sounds as if it's missing a first syllable. 

Letha

In Greek mythology, Lethe was the name of one of the five rivers in Hades, the underworld. Lethe was also the name of the Greek spirit of forgetfulness and oblivion, with whom the river was often identified. 

Lethe

Lexia

Appropriate for a girl born between late September and late October, Libra suggests both balance and freedom. 

Libra

Lilis is a feminine name with several possible origins. It may be connected to Lilith from Hebrew mythology or function as a variation of the flower name Lily. In Indonesian and Malay traditions, Lilis can relate to words meaning "soft" or "gentle." The name carries a delicate, feminine quality with its soft sounds and floral associations. Though rare in Western countries, it has seen some usage in Southeast Asian nations. The brevity and melodic quality of Lilis make it accessible yet distinctive. The name might appeal to parents seeking something uncommon with cross-cultural appeal and a naturally sweet, gentle impression.

Lilis

Sweet but spiky Lilika is a multicultural choice, used as a diminutive of Lili (or Lily), Lilia, Evangelia, Ioulia, and similar in Greek, Estonian, Russian, Serbian, and Albanian. Occasionally used as a stand-alone name, it was used as the name of as the title of a 1970s Serbian movie and has been borne by the 20th-century pioneering journalist and writer Lilika Nakos.

Lilika

Your zany neighbor, the one who's a potter and has five cats. 

Malva

Greek girl names include several classic names that have ranked highly in the US for its entire history, most notably Catherine, Helen, and Margaret.

 in recent times, not only in the US but around the world, is Sophia, the name of the ancient Greek goddess of wisdom. Sofia, the name’s alternate spelling, also ranks in the Top 25, along with the Greek name Penelope.

include Alexandra, Arianna, Chloe, Cora, Evangeline, Iris, Lydia, Maya, Ophelia, Thea, and Zoe. 

 popular in Greece include Konstantina, Katerina, Dimitra, and Eleni.

 currently in style include Anastasia, Anthea, Calypso, Cassia, Dorothea, Eulalia, Ione, Lyra, and Phoebe. But there are so many other Greek girl names worth consideration, from Acacia to Zephyrine, that the entire list bears a closer look.

 were a big favorite of Shakespeare's, with such Greek names as Desdemona and Cressida playing a major part in some of his greatest tragedies. If Greek girl names are good enough for the Bard, surely our list of Greek names for girls is worth exploring!

Greek girl names with meanings and popularity, including top Greek names for girls and unique girls names from Greece and of Greek origin. (Page 23)

Greek Girl Names