Greek Names

Name of the 7th century BC Greek lyric poet born on the island of Lesbos, whose name has been synonymous with lesbian love.  Though this name is rarely used today, it certainly could be and, some might say, SHOULD be revived.

Sappho

The name of two Biblical figures, one a supporter of St. Paul and the other a Corinthian ruler.  Virtually unknown in the U.S. but used in the form Sosthene in modern France.

Sosthenes

This male relative of the Emily family was borne by two Greek saints, one a fourth century martyr who destroyed pagan images and the other a ninth century bishop.  Variations include Emilios and Aemilios.  The Latin Aemilius, from the ancient family name, may be unrelated.

Aimilios

The name of the Greek goddess of youth, daughter of Zeus and Hera, is rarely used today but may be ripe for revival considering the popularity of rhyming Phoebe. Sweet as Bebe but with the sophistication of Hera or Hero, it can be pronounced as HEH-BEH in classical Greek and as HEE-bee in English.
 
While some may find is a little close to the phrase "heebie-jeebies", it nevertheless featured in the England and Wales charts back in the late 90s and early 2000s and doubles up as a botanical name, associated with colorful evergreen shrubs with purple, pink, or white flowers.

Hebe

Phyllon, the male version of Phyllis (which gives you a clue to its pronunciation), was introduced as a baby name by Dutch model Doutzen Kroes and her husband DJ Sunnery James. Phyllon is one of those <a href="https://nameberry.com/list/329/nature-baby-names">nature names</a> that hides its true, well, nature.

Phyllon

Praxis makes perfect?  Though this mythological name sounds boyish, it's a female name, an equivalent for Aphrodite.

Praxis

Timeo is a Top 100 name in France but is virtually unknown in the English-speaking world.  Appearing briefly in the New Testament and related to Timon, a Shakespearean name, Timeo is a valid possibility for parents looking for an unusual name with cross-cultural cred.

Timeo

Tassia is an obscure short form used mostly in Russia and Eastern Europe, where the name Anastasia as in the executed Russian princess is common.  Rarely found in the English-speaking world, Tassia could make a distinctive and attractive nickname for this elegant royal name and can easily stand on its own.

Tassia

Nickelle is an unusual feminine form of Nicholas, a name with many variations both male and female around the world.  Nickelle is a twist on the more common Nicole with the feminine -elle ending, as in Michelle.  The addition of the k helps clarify pronunciation.  Unlike the 5 cent coin, the emphasis is on the second syllable.

Nickelle

Eos -- that's pronounced with a short e like eros without the r -- is the Greek Titan of the dawn. Any ancient name with a sleek modern feel has definite revival possibilities. Eos could be an inventive way to honor grandma Dawn. 
 
Eos is also a Welsh bird name that is occasionally given to girls in Wales — pleasingly the nightingale, so this name covers both morning and night.

Arkadina was thrust into the limelight as one of the (many) <a href="https://nameberry.com/list/673/middle-names">middle names</a> of Uma Thurman and Arpad Busson's little girl. The Slavic or Russian feminine form of Arkady, which is derived from the ancient Greek name Arkadios, is the equivalent of the English Arcadia -- a heavenly place. For most English speakers, the Arcadia form would be more compatible.

Arkadina

Kasiani, also spelled Kassiani or Cassiane, is an ancient Greek name best known as the name of a saint famous as a hymnographer. The Hymn of Kasiani, traditionally sung on Tuesday of Easter Week in the Greek Orthodox Church, is associated with fallen women. The 9th century saint Kasiani was supposed to be in love with the Emperor Theophilos, who rejected her when she proved to be more intelligent than he.
 
Virtually unknown in the U.S., Kasiani may well become more prominent along with the raft of similar names gaining new style currency, from the boys' names Cassian and Cassius to Cassia, Kasia and Keziah.

Kasiani

Cassiane, also spelled Kassiani or Kasiani, is an ancient Greek name best known as the name of a saint famous as a hymnographer. The Hymn of Cassiane, traditionally sung on Tuesday of Easter Week in the Greek Orthodox Church, is associated with fallen women. The 9th century saint Cassiane was supposed to be in love with the Emperor Theophilos, who rejected her when she proved to be more intelligent than he.
 
Virtually unknown in the U.S., Cassiane may well become more prominent along with the raft of similar names gaining new style currency, from the boys' names Cassian and Cassius to Cassia, Kasia and Keziah.

Cassiane

Attractive place-name, of a beautiful resort region of Turkey. 

Anatola

Alcina is an operatic name, best-known as the name of the beautiful sorceress of the eponymous Handel opera drawn from the Orlando poems.  Alcina and her sister Morgana live on an island where Alcina seduces every passing sailor but once their novelty wears off, changes them into plants, rocks, or animals.  Alcina comes with modern-sounding short forms Alcie or Alsie, which feel more baby-ready now that names such as Elsie, Elsa, and Isla are becoming popular again.

Alcina

Alsie and Alcie feel more baby-ready now that names such as Elsie, Elsa, and Isla are becoming popular again.  Mother name Alcina was an operatic sorceress who turned men into animals and trees.

Alsie

The Vale of Tempe is an important place in Greek mythology as well as a real place in Greece.  The ancient poets wrote of it as the halcyon dwelling of Apollo and the Muses.  The modern cities in Arizona and Australia are named for the Greek Tempe, which is pronounced tem-pee.

Tempe

Natasa is a feminine name with Slavic origins, primarily used in Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, and other Balkan countries. It is a variant of Natasha, which itself is a diminutive form of the Russian name Natalya or Natalia, derived from the Latin 'natalis,' meaning 'birthday' or 'birth,' with connections to Christmas and the birth of Christ. The name gained wider recognition in the mid-20th century throughout Eastern Europe and has maintained steady popularity in the Balkan region. Natasa has a soft, melodic quality while still sounding strong and distinctive. Unlike the Russian Natasha with its 'sh' sound, Natasa is pronounced with a soft 's,' giving it a slightly different musical quality that reflects its specific cultural origins in South Slavic languages.

Natasa

Astraia -- or Astraea or Asteria -- is the Greek goddess of justice and innocence who became the constellation Virgo. While largely unknown today, this is one of the <a href-="https://nameberry.com/list/624/gorgeous-greek-goddess-names-for-babies">Greek goddess names</a> that may be rediscovered.

Astraia

In Pierre Benoit's novel, Antinea is a beautiful and charming queen with a hideous secret: She has a cave wall with 120 niches carved into it, one for each of her lovers. Only 53 have been filled; when all 120 have been filled, Antinea will sit atop a throne in the centre of the cave and rest forever.



Antinea

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 28)

Greek Names (with Meanings & Popularity)