Names That Mean Greek

Also used as a surname, Santra is both a Finnish and Greek form of Sandra, and a Hindi and Marathi name, meaning "orange", making it a multicultural choice that travels well. 
 
In the first instance, it derives from the classic Alexandra and would be pronounced SAN-tra in Finnish and san-DHRA in Greek (DH like the sound at the beginning of them>).
 
In the second — and more popular — case, Santra is an Indian name, ultimately derived from the Sanskrit santram, the Hindi and Marathi santre and the Urdu santari, all referring to oranges, as in the citrus fruit. In this case, it would be said as SUN-truh or SUN-tru

Santra

Predominantly used in its native Greece — though it may be seen occasionally in Cyprus and Albania too — Persefoni is the modern Greek transcription of the mythological goddess's name. Borne by Queen of the Underworld and the Goddess of spring, Persefoni makes an elegant choice. 




Persefoni

A modern Greek variation of classic John, ultimately linked back to the older Greek form, Ioannes. Giannis, Ioannis, and Yannis are more popular alternatives. 

Ioanis

A variation of the arty and elegant Shakespearian name, Ofeliya is sometimes used in Russia, the Ukraine, and Bulgaria, and in Azerbaijan, where it is likely transcribed as Ofeliya, with the dotted I. Notable bearers include TV host Ofeliya Sənani and actress Ofeliya Aslan, the stripped back Ofelya is also sometimes used. 

Ofeliya

If you like Annika but want a rarer alternative, Lonneke has a lot to offer. Originating as a diminutive of Apollonia, it is a subtle and stylish Greek mythology-inspired choice. Namesakes include the model Lonneke Engel, volleyball player Lonneka Slöetjes, and racing cyclist Lonneka Uneken. 

Lonneke

An attractive Lithuanian name with an on-trend sound, although in Anglophone countries it may be mistaken for Elijah. It is either a feminisation of Elijah or the Greek Helios.

Elija

The Calla lily is a beautiful trumpet-shaped lily flower, usually white in color, which symbolizes purity and innocence. Its name derives from the Greek kallos, meaning "beauty".

 Calla lilies have long been associated with the goddess Hera. According to Greek legend, Zeus brought his son Hercules to nurse from Hera while she slept, so that he could have the strength of the gods. Hera awoke and pushed the baby away from her. Drops of milk flew across the sky, creating the milky way, and fell to earth, causing calla lilies to grow.

Callalily

A modern Greek form Ion, a name that belonged to a mythological Greek king of Achaea. It is said that the Ionians, the region of Ionia, and the Ionian Sea are all named after him. Less commonly, Ionas is used as the Greek form of Jonah – in which case it's pronounced with emphasis on the last syllable instead of the first.

Ionas

Zefera is a rare form of Zephyr or Zafira, with a subtle connection to nature. As Zephyr becomes more popular for both girls and boys, this feminine Spanish variation may get more attention from parents who want a clearly-gendered version of the name. 

Zefera

Also appearing as Ariadna, Ariana, and Ariane across the globe, Ariadni is a the modern Greek form of the myhtological name. Meaning "most holy", Ariadne was the daughter of King Minos who helped Theseus escape the Minotaur, and later married the god Dionysus. 
 
This form is notably borne by Ariadni Adamopoulou, a Greek pole-vaulter, and by Ariadni Kidonis (Aria), a music artist, DJ, and social media influencer.

Ariadni

A modern variation of Phoibus — more familiar in its Latinized form of Phoebus — this is one of the names of the sun god Apollo. Occasionally used in Greece, it has been notably borne by songwriter Evangelos-Phoebus Tassopoulos, who sometimes uses Foivos as a professional name, by politician and lawyer Foivos Ioannidis, and by musician Foivos Delivorias. 
 
Fivos and Phivos are spelling variations.

Foivos

A feminine form of the herby Basil, Basileia is an older transliteration of Vasilia or Vasileia, which all link back to the Greek words for "king" and "reign". A stately name, it would be pronounced with a V sound in its native Greece, however, like with Basil itself, English speakers likely pronounce it with the B. 

Basileia

Sleek and celestial at the same time, Zephyrina is a feminine elaboration of the Greek name Zephyr, the God of the west wind. With Zephyr in the Top 1000 in England and Wales and Seraphina rising in the US, Zephyrina might see more use in the future. 

Zephyrina

Estia is a quietly used name that manages to sound both homely and mythological, and both earthy and starry at the same time. It is the modern Greek and Italian form of Hestia, the Greek goddess of the domestic realm. 
 
There is a possibility that the name might sometimes be used as an elaboration or variation of Esti and Esther, meaning "star".

Estia

Niclas

Associated with the sun god Apollo via the masculine forms of Phoebus and Phoibos, Foivi is a distinctive looking variation of Phoebe, used as the modern Greek form. Also appearing as Fivi, Phoivi and Phoibe, it is used (albeit fairly quietly) in Greece. 

Foivi

In Greek mythology, Zakynthos was a legendary figure who founded a colony on an island in the Ionian sea. The island, still known as Zakynthos today, is now a popular tourist destination thanks to its warm weather, white cliffs, and stunning beaches. To the Venetians who ruled the island between the 15th and 18th century, it was known as the "Flower of Levant". Zakynthos may also be written as Zacynthus, and the island is also called Zante.

Zakynthos

Theofania

Most contemporary English speakers will hear the name Lyssa as short for the long-popular Alyssa or Melissa. But Lyssa is a bona fide Greek mythology name, though not a very appealing one.
The goddess Lyssa could not control her rage. Choose this otherwise soft and pretty name at your own peril.