Greek Names
- Pandora
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"all gifted"Description:
Pandora has occasionally been used by the British gentry (for girls with brothers who might be called Peregrine) and is now starting to be heard in the US too: It was given to 34 baby girls last year.
- Lux
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"light"Description:
This name of a character played by Kirsten Dunst in the movie Virgin Suicides, originally a novel by Jeffrey Eugenides, is gaining attention, also thanks to the heroine Lux, Lady of Luminosity in the League of Legends games. Luz is the Spanish version.
- Astra
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"stars"Description:
A starry-eyed, intergalactic name, far rarer than Stella or Esther. It's attached both to a comic book character and to Princess Astra on "Doctor Who".
- Amaryllis
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"to sparkle"Description:
If you love both unique baby names and flower names for girls, Amaryllis might be a perfect choice for you.
- Nerissa
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"from the sea"Description:
An offbeat possible replacement for the overused Melissa and Marisa, Nerissa was used by Shakespeare for Portia's witty confidante in The Merchant of Venice. Queen Elizabeth has a cousin named Nerissa.
- Delphi
Origin:
Greek place nameMeaning:
"of Delphi; womb"Description:
An interesting unisex possibility, with an air of mystery connected to the Delphic Oracle, the most important oracle in ancient Greece; it was also a major site for the worship of the god Apollo.
- Delta
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"fourth letter; island formed at the mouth of a river"Description:
Delta is an unusual vintage option, blending the sounds of Della and Etta. The fourth letter of the Greek alphabet and a geographical term, used to describe an island formed at the mouth of a river, some may be put off by Delta's links the airline company of COVID variant on the same name.
- Ambrosia
Origin:
Latin, feminine form of AmbroseMeaning:
"Immortal"Description:
Ambrosia combines some of the more whimsical qualities of more popular Aurora and Isabella, with a heavenly meaning.
- Calypso
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"she who hides"Description:
This hyper-rhythmic name has two evocative references. In Greek mythology, she was an island nymph, a daughter of Atlas, who delayed Odysseus from returning home. It is also a genre of West Indian music, originating in Trinidad and Tobago and largely popularized in the States by Harry Belafonte.
- Evadne
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"pleasing one"Description:
In Greek mythology, Evadne was the daughter of Poseidon. Evadne also appears in literature (Mary Shelley's "The Last Man") and has a pop culture reference as the cousin of Wonder Woman. A more unusual alternative to other Greek "-ee" names like Ariadne, Daphne and Penelope. The trendy "Ev" sound makes this a lovely choice in a world of Evelyns, Evangelines and Everlys.
- Apollonia
Origin:
Feminine variation of Apollo, Greek mythology nameMeaning:
"destroyer, strength; father's light"Description:
This name of a third-century Christian martyr has an romantic, appealing feel in the modern world. It first came to American attention via Prince's love interest in the film Purple Rain. It could make an unexpected route to sweet nickname Polly — or perhaps to the quirky apple!
- Acacia
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"thorny"Description:
Acacia is an attractive, rarely used Greek flower name enhanced by its popular beginning-and-ending-with 'a'-construct, and is gradually beginning to catch on as a new member of the stylish girl names starting with A.
- Desdemona
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"ill-starred"Description:
Desdemona is as Shakespearean as a name can be, but because the beautiful and innocent wife of Othello came to such a tragic end, her name has been avoided for centuries. But at this point in time, there might be some adventurous parents willing to overlook that.
- Echo
Origin:
Greek mythology nameMeaning:
"echo or sound"Description:
Echo, the pretty, resonant name of a legendary nymph, was the heroine of Joss Whedon's sci-fi series Dollhouse. Nick Hexum, of the band 311, named his daughter Echo Love.
- Evanthe
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"fair flower"Description:
Evanthe is a pretty Greek name not often heard outside its native culture. With its stylish Ev-begining, Evanthe could make an interesting choice if you're looking for a generic flower name.
- Anthea
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"flowery"Description:
This unjustly neglected floral name has a BBC accent and a Greek mythological heritage: Anthea is an epithet of Hera, the Greek queen of the gods, and her name has been used as poetic symbol of spring.
- Hera
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"protectress"Description:
She was queen of the Greek gods, both sister and wife to Zeus, but the name of her Roman counterpart Juno has become much more fashionable these days. That said, we think Hera has possibilities today too, as so many ancient goddess names rise to prominence.
- Ismene
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"knowledgeable"Description:
Sister of Antigone and daughter of Oedipus in Greek mythology, Ismene's name is unlikely to make it in modern times because of its teasability factor. Ismay or Esme would be better bets.
- Kaira
Description:
Kaira is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins, creating a beautiful synthesis of meanings across traditions. In Hindi, Kaira means 'peaceful' or 'peaceful place,' while some associate it with the Sanskrit word for 'crown.' In African traditions, particularly Yoruba, it can mean 'peaceful soul.' The name also appears as a variation of the Irish Keira (meaning 'dark-haired') or the Greek Kyra ('lady' or 'mistress'). Kaira has gained modest popularity in recent decades as parents seek distinctive yet melodious names with positive meanings. Its gentle sound combined with strong meanings of peace and leadership makes it appealing across cultures. Though not among the most common names, Kaira offers a balance of uniqueness and accessibility that continues to attract parents seeking a meaningful yet contemporary choice.
- Olympia
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"from Mount Olympus"Description:
With its relation to Mount Olympus, home of the Greek gods, and to the Olympic games, this name has an athletic, goddess-like aura, making it the perfect Olivia substitute.