Names That Mean Mythology

Orion

Greek mythology name

The Greek mythological hunter who was turned into a constellation is much more often used for boys.

Aphrodite

Greek mythology name

"foam or born from the sea"

The name of the Greek goddess of love has rarely descended to mortal use, though the Roman equivalent Venus, thanks to tennis star Williams, now seems completely possible. But with the new fashion…

Neda

Greek mythology name, Persian, Croatian, Serbian, Bulgarian

"River of Elis; voice, call, proclaim; Sunday"

Neda is one of those names that's simple, yet intriguing, familiar but rare — a magic combination. Derived from a variety of sources, it is a multi-cultural name too. In Greek mythology, Neda was one…

Artemisia

Greek, variation of Artemis

You might think Artemisia is the feminine form of the name, but in fact the original Artemis is feminine too, the name of the Greek mythological goddess of the moon. Artemisia Gentileschi was an…

Damia

Greek

"spirit"

Greek nature goddess name that has a pleasing femininity. Damia is one of the more unusual goddess names newly fashionable for contemporary baby girls.

Lamia

Arabic, Greek

"shining, radiant; throat"

Lamia is a name with two very different images: from its Arabic roots, it is a bright yet gentle choice with a glowing meaning. As a Greek name however, Lamia appears in mythology as a child-eating…

Lissa

African, Arabic mythological name; diminutive of Melissa, Greek

"honeybee"

Lissa might be an abbreviation of Melissa, but it's more substantial in its own right: Lissa is the name of a supreme mother goddess in African mythology and an Arabic symbol of rebirth.

Cassiopeia

Greek mythology name

"cassia juice"

Cassiopeia, the name of a mythological mother who became a stellar constellation, is challenging but intriguing, and has all those softening Cass nicknames available. And with all names Cass-related…

Jara

Hindu, Slovakian, Spanish, or Arabic

"rock-rose or earthen water jug"

Jara is a name with roots in several different cultures and languages, with different meanings and associations. She's the Hindu goddess of the household, happiness, and prosperity. In Spanish, where…

Ambrosia

Latin, feminine form of Ambrose

"Immortal"

Ambrosia combines some of the more whimsical qualities of more popular Aurora and Isabella, with a heavenly meaning. In Greek mythology, Ambrosia was not a goddess or other figure but literally the…

Niobe

Greek mythology name

The mythological queen whose perpetual weeping for her slain children turned her into a stone has always cast a pall over this name. Still, when other names with less-than-savory associations --…

Halie

Greek mythology name

"dweller in the sea"

Halie is the name of several figures in Greek mythology, most of them sea nymphs. The most prominent mythological Halie was the mother of Rhodos, who gave her name to the island Rhodes, and six sons…

Jami

Japanese mythology name

In Japanese folklore, Jami is an evil mountain spirit. Jami might also be a generic name for these deomons.