Greek Names

These days, some may think of Hermes as an upscale brand name like Chanel and Porsche (spelled as Hermès), or a strange choice thanks to the parcel delivery company. However, with names from Greek mythology very much in style, it is possible there will be plenty who link it to the Greek messenger god. 
 
Derived from the Greek herma meaning "pile of stones" or "boundary marker", Hermes is the god of travellers, writers, athletes, merchants and thieves. Often portrayed as wearing a winged helmet, he is also associated with delivering messages, with good luck, and with speed.
 
Pronounced as HEHR-MEHS in Classic Greek, the English pronunciation is typically HUHR-meez. In Spanish it would be EHR-mehs and in French, EHR-MEHZ.
 
Actress Kelly Rutherford bestowed the name on her son in the late 2000s, and it has since seen moderate use in the US. In a recent year, it was chosen for just shy of 40 boys.

Hermes

Tim is a boyish short form occasionally given on its own. There were 37 baby boys named Tim in the US last year, versus over 1700 named Timothy.

Ajax is the name of two Greek heroes, both who fought in the Trojan war and feature in Homer's "Iliad". Distinctive yet familiar in sound, thanks to similar choices like Jack, Asa, and Ajay, Ajax is also the name of a foaming cleanser in the US, and if you find that reference too strong, you might try the shortened Jax instead. 
 
In a recent year, 36 boys were called Ajax in the US.

Ajax

Alexei could well join the legion of Alex names popular in the US. There are countless opportunities to liven up Alexander, and Alexei (or Alexey) is one of the most straightforward and appealing.

Alexei

Bold and distinctive, Yolanda is a floral name that doesn't sound frilly or delicate. Ultimately deriving from the Greek words ioles meaning "violet" and anthos meaning "flower", it appears in a variety of forms internationally, including Jolanda, Jolanta, Iolanthe, Iolanta, Iolanda, and Jolana.
 
While some may associate Yolanda with Quentin Tarantino's crime movie, Pulp Fiction or with reality TV personality, Yolanda Hadid, Yolanda has also been borne by several members of European royalty, and by activist Yolanda King, gospel singer Yolanda Adams, and presenter Yolanda Vega.

Yolanda

There are lots of Kathy moms and grandmas but very few babies, most of whom are now called Kate or Katie.

Kathy

To those who remember, Rhoda is still reminiscent of the brassy Bronx 1970s sitcom Rhoda Morgenstern. But Rhoda has a much longer history--it is a name that can be found in the New Testament as a servant girl in the house of Mary, mother of John. Later, Rhoda appeared in the novel Vanity Fair and the Shaw play Man and Superman.
 Rhoda started out on the popularity list at Number 161, but never reached that height again.

Rhoda

Trending down, along with others of both the Car and the issa groups. 

Carissa

The name of a Greek island and a prestigious scholarship, Rhodes has an upper-crusty vibe and an uber-stylish S ending. Blending a floral, rosy meaning with a strong, unfrilly sound, Rhodes was chosen for 41 girls in a recent year, however, it may be worth considering that it is used about ten times more often for boys.



Rhodes

Katheryn

Sounds like Serena, but refers to the mythological sirens -- half woman, half bird -- who virtually sang men to death. Not a great role model for your little girl. 

Sirena

Christos

If you're a lover of the beach and sea, and want a name that relates to the largest body of water, there are several variations you could consider.
 Oceana is the female form of Oceanus, the god of the sea (Oceanus was the name of the only child born during the Mayflower's historic voyage) and is the most feminine of the group.
 Oceane (oh-she-ANN) has been one of the chicest name in France for several years and is now rated Number 31.
 Word name Ocean takes it unisex; actor Forest Whitaker has a son called Ocean Alexander.

Oceana

Sapphira is a lovely name which unfortunately has an unsavory Biblical history. The New Testament Sapphira was killed by God for lying about a tax payment.
 There's a Willa Cather novel called Sapphira and the Slave Girl, and in the book Eragon, it's the name of a dragon (spelt Saphira).

Sapphira

A powerful name with an intriguing air of antiquity, Zenaida has the freshness of Zephyr and Azalea too. Meaning "life of Zeus" or "dedicated to Zeus", it was notably borne by the first-century saint, Zenaida of Tarsus. She and her sister Philonella, were physicians, particularly interested in experimental medicine, pediatrics, and psychiatric disorders.
 
Appearing as Zinaida in Russia, Lithuania, the Ukraine and Belarus and as Zénaïde in French, this form is used predominantly among Spanish and English speakers. The pronunciation of the name may also vary depending on where it's used, and it may be heard as zeh-NAY-duh, zeh-NYE-duh, zeh-naa-EE-duh, and sen-EYE-da.
 
A second meaning of the name is "white winged dove", owing to its connection to Zenaida doves, names by French naturalist Charles Lucien Bonaparte for his wife, Zénaïde Laetitia Julie Bonaparte.

Zenaida

Calista Flockhart spotlighted this lovely Greek name that has a long future in the English-speaking world.  Kallista is another spelling; Calixta and Calixto are related.

Callista

A royal name in ancient Egypt that's never quite made it to the modern world, though nickname Cleo is widely used.  Other now-extinct Cleopatra diminutives, including Cleora and Cleola, achieved some popularity in the early 20th century when there was a crazy for all things Egypt-related as the ancient tombs were opened and artifacts displayed.  In the US, Cleopatra became a popular silent film in 1917 starring Theda Bara.

Cleopatra

Isabel, Theodore, and Isadora are back: could it now be time for a more widespread revival of Isidore? Yet to see any big moves up the charts, Isidore was given to more than 30 boys in a recent year: twice the number it was given to a decade ago.

 A common ancient Greek name belonging to several saints--including Saint Isidore the Ploughman, patron saint of Madrid and the great encyclopedist St. Isidore of Seville, whose work formed the basis of much medieval knowledge, it also appears in 19th century novel Villette by Charlotte Brontë, applied to a character to conceal his true, homely identity.
 
Historically common among Jewish communities, though Isaac, Isaiah, and Israel are now preferred, Isidore may make a rare yet approachable choice. Friendly nickname Izzy could be cool, while Dory and Sid are other options.

Isidore

Sasha in all its forms -- which include Sacha and Sascha -- is rising in popularity for both boys and girls. Its most prominent current bearer with this spelling is Sacha Baron Cohen.

Sacha is a Top 20 name for baby boys in France.

Sacha

Bright, modern, and energetic, Zeal is a zippy word name that might have seemed totally out there a few years back, before Rowdy, Chosen, Halo, and Legend were in the charts, and before YouTubers Savannah and Cole Labrant chose Zealand for their son, making the sound familiar. Associated with enthusiasm, passion, and excitement, Zeal was given to 25 boys (and 6 girls) in a recent year.

Zeal

Greek names include choices from ancient mythology along with modern Greek names both familiar to English speakers and those used mainly in Greece. As 

 become more popular, Greek baby names are found more often in nurseries and on playgrounds around the world.

 for girls include Alexandra, Chloe, Katherine, Sophia, and Zoe. For boys, Greek names in the US Top 300 include Alexander, Andrew, Elias, Lucas, and Phoenix. In 

 include Constantine, Nicholas, Eleni, and Vasiliki.

today include Atalanta, Kassia, Timon, and Xan. Baby names drawn from ancient Greek myth include Pandora, Calypso, and Zephyr.



Many Greek baby names have traveled far and wide from their origins in Greece. But there are other Greek names that are attracting new interest that are more distinctly Greek: Cassia and Ione for girls, for instance, and Homer and Linus for boys.



If you’re interested in Greek names for your baby, here is our full range, ordered by current popularity on Nameberry.

Greek baby names for girls and boys with meanings and popularity, including top Greek names such as Theodore and Ophelia along with hundreds of unique Greek names. (Page 14)

Greek Names (with Meanings & Popularity)