Greek Names

An undiscovered nature name, Delonix is a distinctive choice that could make an intriguing middle name or a daring first. A type of flowering tree or plant with striking red petals, its name is taken from the Greek elements delos and onyx meaning "evident, obvious" and "claw" respectively. 
 
Offering a range of nicknames from Lonnie, Lox, Nix, Dex, Del, and Donnie, it might appeal to those who enjoy Onyx, Sequoia, Dexter, and Calix.

Delonix

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.
 
While the ancient city of Delphi likely derived from Greek delphys meaning "womb", as a name. Delphi could also link to the Greek delphínion meaning "dolphin", and therefore to the flower genus, delphinium, giving it two separate nature connections.
 
Also used as a short form for Delphine and Delphia, the name appears in the stage play, Harry Potter and The Cursed Child and is borne by Lady Delphi Primrose, a Scottish model and influencer.

Delphi

In Greek mythology, Despoina is the daughter of Demeter and Poseidon. Associated with the veil and with fertility, Despoina was worshipped nearly exclusively at the Eleusinian Mysteries (the initiations for the cult of Demeter and Persephone). 
 
Pronounced as DHESS-pi-na in Greek (DH, like the beginning of then), but dess-PEE-nuh elsewhere, the mythological figure is shrouded in mystery, her "true" name only ever being revealed to those initiated in the Eleusinian religion and therefore lost to time.
 
Meaning "lady", "mistress of the house", or "dame", Despoina has also been used as an epithet for several goddesses, including Aphrodite, Hecate, Persephone, and Demeter. In more recent times, it has been born by footballer Despoina Chatzinikolaou.
 
Most notably used in its native Greece, the alternative spelling Despina is more likely to be used elsewhere.

Despoina

A daring choice with a sweet and sea-inspired meaning, Deucalion appears in Greek mythology multiple times. Most noteworthy perhaps are Deucalion the son of Prometheus, who, along with his wife Pyrrha, survives a great flood sent by Zeus, and Deucalion the soldier, killed by Achilles to avenge Patroclus.
 
Some sources suggest the name is a blending of the elements deukos meaning "sweet, sweet wine" and haliéus meaning "sailor, fisherman", while others suggest it stems from deuo meaning "drenched, wet" — both of which could work in regards to the mythology.
 
The name has appeared sporadically in the US stats since 2014, given to a very small handful of boys.

Deucalion

An unusual way to get to nicknames Dot and Dottie, Diotima is a Greek name that appears in Plato's Symposium, borne by Diotima of Mantinea. A prophetess who predicted (and prevented) a plague, she was also a scholar who taught about love, notably Platonic love. 
 
Also used as a pseudonym in works by Friedrich Hölderlin and Robert Musil, it is currently a very rare choice.

Diotima

The Dorathea spelling moves this name away from the classic Dorothea and toward a smoosh name -- a name created by combining two separate names, in this case Dora and Thea. If you're honoring a Dora or plan to use this shortened version every day, this spelling might make sense. But as with many variant spellings of classic names, this version will condemn you to a lifetime of correcting other people's spelling, and other people assuming you or your child don't know how to spell their own name.

Dorathea

Frilly, feminissima, unstylish Dor name. 

Doretta

Dorkas

The "Little Dorrit" title character of Charles Dickens' novel was actually named Amy; Dorrit was her last name. The Dorit spelling is a short form of Dorothea in Danish and Dorrit has been used as a first name, but its origins are as a surname derived from Dorothea or Durward.

Dorrit

Not quite Dora or Daria, this name is often dismissed in favor of its more familiar counterparts, but it has versatile appeal, given that it has a number of different origins. It can be considered a feminine form of Dorian, a variation of Dorothy, an elaboration of Dora, or a variation of the Hebrew name Dor, meaning "generation". Also spelled Doria, it is borne by Doria Loyce Ragland, the mother of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.

Dorya

An alternate spelling of Aikaterini, the Greek form of Catherine. Both names are almost always shortened to Katerina.

Ekaterini

Elethea

Derived from the Greek elpis, Elpidia is a theatrical choice, borne by the protagonist of an 18th century opera, written by George Friedrich Handel. Meaning "hope", it has a stylish 'el' beginning and could lead it nicknames Pia, Ela, and Edie. 
 
Mexican actress and director Elpidia Carrillo is a famous bearer, known for her role in Predator.

Elpidia

Likely derived from the same root as Eros, Erato is a rare choice from Greek mythology, borne by one of the Nine Muses. Known as the Muse of lyric poetry — and erotic poetry — she is often depicted as holding a wreath made of myrtle and roses, and with either a lyre or a kithara, and more occasionally with turtle doves at her feet.
 
While the names of some of her sisters and fellow Muses are now familiar choices — see Clio, Thalia, and Calliope — Erato has remained rare. While it was borne by an ancient queen of Armenia, it suffers perhaps, because it reminds English speakers at least of the words erotic, error and erratum, 
 
It is however still used quietly in Greece and Cyprus, and, with the contemporary interest in myhtological — and rarer myth-inspired choices — perhaps Erato is one to watch alongside Ares, Atreus, Lyra, and Persephone.

Erato

If you like names with darker meanings, this one from Greek mythology might be for you. Also written as Erebos, he is the personification of darkness, and often the underworld too. Despite the gloomy meaning, the name has an almost airy and friendly sound to it — and even entered the US stats for the first time in 2025. 

Erebus

Erinna was an ancient poetess from the island of Telos near Rhodes. Only fragments of her poems remain, which were reproduced in Bergk's Poetae Lyrici Graeci (published in 1900).

 Her name is of unclear origin. Possible derivations include from the Greek for "spring" or "hero", with the addition of a feminine suffix.

Erinna

The Italian form of the saint name Hermegoras, Ermacora is a rare but less clunky option. Associated with the first bishop of Aquileia, Italy in the 3rd century, Ermacora blends the name of the messenger god Hermes with the Greek agora and can be interpreted as meaning "assembly of Hermes" or more literally as "marketplace by the boundary marker".
 
The name is more likely to be used as a surname than a given name, as in the case of footballer Frederico Ermacora and politician Felix Ermacora. Celebrated Italian solider and veteran, Ermacora Zuliani, was one first name bearer, however.

Ermacora

An elaborate and pretty diminutive of Esther, Estirola may appeal to fans of Estella and Estrella who also want a name with Old Testament connections. In Judeo-Spanish, it would be pronounced as es-ti-ROH-la, while in Judeo-Greek, it would be es-TI-ro-la. 
 
Estirola is rarely used as a given name.

Estirola

An alternative spelling of Eurydice, the name of Orpheus's wife in Greek Mythology. 

Euridyce

In Greek mythology, Euryclea (or Eurycleia) is the dedicated nurse of both Odysseus and his son Telemachus. When Odysseus returns from his long journey in disguise, she recognizes him, but keeps his secret, and later informs him on who has been unfaithful in his absence. 
 
A way to nicknames Clea and Cleo, it means "wide glory" or "wide fame".

Euryclea

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 33)

Greek Names (with Meanings & Popularity)