Greek Names for Girls

Another culture's take on the Hailey/Halle phenomenon. 

Hali

Nani is a multicultural feminine name with origins spanning several traditions. In Hawaiian, it means 'beautiful' or 'glory,' while it can also be a shortened form of names like Danielle or Natalie in Western cultures. In Hindi and Sanskrit, Nani affectionately refers to a maternal grandmother, adding a warm familial connection. This short, melodic name has gained appeal in diverse communities for its simplicity and positive associations. The name's brevity makes it accessible across languages and cultures, while its various meaningful connections give it depth. Nani's contemporary sound fits well with modern naming trends favoring short, distinctive names with cross-cultural resonance. Its gentle tone and positive meanings contribute to its growing popularity.

Nani

A  feminine form of Stephen, with a touch more flair than Stephanie. Popular in Romania, Poland, and Moldova, familiar in Italy, England and Wales, and Czechia, diminutives include the Greek Fani and the Polish Stefcia. 

Stefania

Demetria is a dramatic ancient Greek earth goddess possibility with the star-studded nickname Demi. Young actor/singer/songwriter Demi Lovato was born Demetria, but contrary to common hearsay, Demi Moore was born Demi.
An even more unusual cousin name is the Cornish Demelza, made somewhat familiar via the TV series Poldark.
 You may be surprised to know that Demetria was on the Top 1000 list from 1964 to 1993, reaching as high as 479 in 1974.

Demetria

Hilary (also spelled with two 'l's) is a hot potato of a name, so closely identified with Sen. Clinton that it's hard for most parents to see it as a baby name. A pity, really, as it's got so much going for it: the popular, rhythmic three-syllable structure, the fact that it's strong but light, proper but jaunty, with an irresistible meaning -- having the same root as hilarious. 

Hilary

Bright and modern, with the fashionable letter 'Z', Zenaya made its debut in the UK Top 1000 in 2022.
 
There are several possible origins for the name Zenaya. It could be a spin on Zeniya - a spelling variation of the Greek Xenia, meaning "hospitality". It could potentially be inspired by Zaniah, derived from Arabic and meaning "corner". It could come from the Sanaya, another Arabic name meaning "light; noble and honorable".It might also be a shortened form of the Igbo name Adaezennaya, meaning "princess".
 
MTV's Teen Mom UK featured Sassi Simmonds and her daughter Zena'ya Saint (often spelled as simply Zenaya) which may have brought the name to people's attention. That and perhaps its similarity to actress Zendaya's name.

Zenaya

Zephyra is an ethereal feminine name derived from 'Zephyr,' the Greek god of the west wind. The name carries connotations of gentleness and freedom, as Zephyrus was known as the harbinger of spring and the mildest of the wind deities. This uncommon name possesses a dreamy, mystical quality with its flowing sounds and mythological origins. Though rare in everyday usage, Zephyra appeals to parents drawn to names with classical roots and poetic associations. The name evokes images of breezes, movement, and natural beauty. Its distinctive 'Z' beginning and melodic ending make it stand out while maintaining femininity. For those seeking a name with depth, mythological significance, and an unusual sound pattern, Zephyra offers a beautiful choice with its connections to nature and ancient tradition.

Zephyra

An attractive and intriguing choice with an appealing blend of gentle and sharper sounds, Kasia is a diminutive of Katarzyna, the Polish form of Katherine. Ultimately from Greek, it is generally interpreted to mean "pure".
 
Notable bearers include actress Kasia Smutniak, singer Kasia Kowalska, cyclist Kasia Niewiadoma, TV presenter Kasia Madera, singer Kasia Cerekwicka, influencer Kasia Vuorinen, writer Kasia Delgado, and singer Kasia Stankiewicz.
 
In addition to its Polish roots, Kasia may also be used as a Greek variation of the Biblical Keziah, meaning "cinnamon, cassia"; as a spelling twist on Cassia, a name that may relate to Keziah, or be a form of Cassius; and as a play on Acacia, a tree name, inspired by the Akacia or Akasia spelling. 
 
The pronunciation may therefore vary. In Greek KA-sya may be heard, but as a spin of Cassia, it could she KA-see-uh or KASH-uh. As a twist on Acacia, it may be more like KAY-shuh or KAY-see-uh.

Kasia

The original but less common spelling of Sybil, this name comes from Greek and Roman mythology, in which the sibyls were female prophets. A name that has dipped in and out of style since the Middle Ages, the rise of the lovely Lady Sybil Crawley on television's Downton Abbey may shine a light on this mythological name. 
 
Introduced by the Normans, thrown out by the Puritans, revived by the Victorians, and rejected again in the 70s, when a book and TV film linked it to dissociative identity disorder in popular culture, sister spelling Sybil is now a Nameberry gem. It has featured in the Top 200 names on Nameberry and celebrated as a clunky, literary, vintage revival. 
 
In the real world, Sybil has recently joined the England and Wales Top 1000, while in the US, 136 girls were given the name last year. Sibyl meanwhile is outside the Nameberry Top 1000 and was given to 11 American girls and fewer than 3 in the UK. For the sake of ease, the Sybil spelling might be the better choice, given that the name is already quite unique.

Sibyl

This name used for both sexes in several cultures is quite well used in Israel.


Peri

Cyan is an attractive color names, but for a girl, better go all the way to Cyane, the name of a Sicilian nymph who lived in a blue pool.

Cyan

Actress Flockhart popularized the C version, but this works, too. 

Kallista

Sofi

Most commonly used as a short form of Theodora or Theodosia, this "boyish" nickname for girls is used much less frequently than Thea, Dora, or Teddy. One notable appearance however, was as the younger daughter in Sofia Coppola's film On the Rocks in 2020, while antiques expert, Theo Burrell was a real life bearer.
 
Given to 21 girls compared to more than 3900 boys in the US in a recent year, you may be surprised to learn that Theo was a Top 1000 name for girls from 1880 until 1930, and while some of this may have been down to errors in record keeping, this is unlikely to explain the 111 girls called Theo in 1924 or the 109 girls given the name in 1919.
 
With Scottie, Bennie, Stevie, and Davey on the rise for girls, alongside Margo, Cleo, Juno, and Theodora, perhaps you may hear of more girls called Theo in the future.

Theo

This is the clumsiest and least popular version of the classic Greek name Zoe. Little wonder this variation has fallen nearly 200 places in the US popularity rankings in just 2 years. We recommend you stick with the beautiful and elegant Zoe (which, for those of you looking to avoid overly-used names, is less popular than the American spelling 'Zoey').

Zoei

A unique relative of Zoe via the Ancient Greek name Zoilos, borne by a 4th century BC cynic philosopher. 

Zoila

Arcadia, a name for an unspoiled paradise, makes an attractive secular alternative to Nevaeh or Eden.  For parents who want an unusual name with a friendlier nickname, Arcadia has the advantage of cute Cady.

Arcadia

An attractive and unusual name that may be a variation of Cleo, Clea was possibly invented by Lawrence Durrell for a character in his Alexandria Quartet.
 Actress Clea DuVall is one noted bearer of the name, another is Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward's youngest daughter, who was named Claire Olivia, but always called Clea.

Clea

The feminine form of Helios or Helio is occasionally heard in Spain and Portugal. In Greek mythology, Helia is one of the Heliades, daughters of the sun god Helios by Clymene the Oceanid.

Helia

Ioanna may be an original spin on the Joanna family, but American tongues may have trouble wrapping themselves around all its vowels. Ioanna is pronounced ee-oh-ah-nah.

Ioanna

Greek girl names include several classic names that have ranked highly in the US for its entire history, most notably Catherine, Helen, and Margaret.

 in recent times, not only in the US but around the world, is Sophia, the name of the ancient Greek goddess of wisdom. Sofia, the name’s alternate spelling, also ranks in the Top 25, along with the Greek name Penelope.

include Alexandra, Arianna, Chloe, Cora, Evangeline, Iris, Lydia, Maya, Ophelia, Thea, and Zoe. 

 popular in Greece include Konstantina, Katerina, Dimitra, and Eleni.

 currently in style include Anastasia, Anthea, Calypso, Cassia, Dorothea, Eulalia, Ione, Lyra, and Phoebe. But there are so many other Greek girl names worth consideration, from Acacia to Zephyrine, that the entire list bears a closer look.

 were a big favorite of Shakespeare's, with such Greek names as Desdemona and Cressida playing a major part in some of his greatest tragedies. If Greek girl names are good enough for the Bard, surely our list of Greek names for girls is worth exploring!

Greek girl names with meanings and popularity, including top Greek names for girls and unique girls names from Greece and of Greek origin. (Page 11)

Greek Girl Names