Greek Names for Girls

Katherina

Another light new twist in the Nicole family. 

Nicolina

Cosima, the kind of elegant and unusual name the British upper classes love to use for their daughters, is given to a handful of baby girls in the US after being chosen by two high-profile celebs in the same month; cool couple Sofia Coppola and Thomas Mars as well as supermodel Claudia Schiffer. It was used earlier by celebrity chef Nigella Lawson, while the male form, Cosimo, was given to the son of Marissa Ribisi and Beck.
 
The most famous Cosima in history had strong musical ties — Cosima Wagner was the daughter of composer Franz Liszt and the wife of composer Richard Wagner. Cosima is well used in Germany, Italy and Greece, but in the US, it was given to only ten baby girls in 2021, the same number who got the name in 2010.
 
A note on pronunciation: in Germany, Italy, and Spain, they say KO-zee-ma, like cozy ma. In the UK, they rhyme the first syllable with boss. In the US, you can do whatever you want.

Cosima

Ancient martyr's name that, though not especially appealing, might still be mildly possible, especially for Anglophiles. It was widely used in early Scotland, but was overtaken by its nickname, Effie.

Euphemia

Eileen is technically already an Anglicization of Eibhlin, the Gaelic form of Aveline, that may additionally be considered a variation of Helen. This form streamlines the spelling further, drawing perhaps on the style of Irene or Eline. 
 
A Top 500 choice in the US from the 1920s to the mid-1950s, its peak was in 1938 when it ranked at #347 alongside Isabel, Earline, and Saundra.

Ilene

Niko was used for 17 baby girls in the US last year, and twin sister Nico for another 35 -- though that's still far fewer than the 2700 baby boys who were given either of those two names. There were 1000 baby boys named Niko alone.

Still, Niko and Nico feel as unisex as Nicki in all her spellings did a generation ago: cute, sassy, cool. And definitely the most baby-ready version of this classic name.

Niko

Zelena

Aliz, traditionally spelt Alíz, is a Top 50 name in Hungary and puts a zippy spin, thanks to that final z, on the classic Alice. Its similarity to names such as Elise may cause some confusion, but its simplicity makes it a winner.

Aliz

Unusual option, with a Waspy Connecticut air. 

Darian

Not quite Dora or Daria, this name is often dismissed in favor of its more familiar counterpart, 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". A notable bearer is Doria Loyce Ragland, the mother of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. 

Doria

A modern-sounding choice with a well-established feel, Elaria has a longer history than you might expect. 
 
On one hand, it may well be considered as a contemporary creation, used as an spin on the recently stylish Elara (meaning "hazelnut, spear" from Greek), or as a twist on the Italian Ilaria, meaning "cheerful", possibly inspired by its surname derivative, Ellery. On the other, Elaria may be viewed as a Medieval corruption of Eulalia, used in the South West of the UK, due to a confusion between the L and the R in the regional accent.

Elaria

This spelling of Electra makes this vibrant name less electric and more kinetic.

Elektra

A fairly common Greek name that would fit in well here. 

Nyssa

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

Orion

With historical roots as a beautiful and intelligent ancient queen and literary ties to Hawthorne and Edith Wharton novels, this rarity could appeal to adventurous parents seeking the romantically unusual. Tina Fey used it as her daughter Alice's middle name.
 Zenobia was the intriguing third-century Queen of Palmyra who for a time ruled the eastern Roman Empire, Ethan Frome's wife Zeena was born Zenobia, and Zenobia Moodie was one of the most colorful characters in Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Blithedale Romance.
 Zenobia reached a high of Number 683 in 1909 but had dropped back out of the Top 1000 by the mid-1920s.

Zenobia

Emmanuela is the feminine form of Emmanuel, which has Hebrew origins meaning 'God is with us.' This elegant name carries biblical significance as Emmanuel is mentioned in the Book of Isaiah as a name for the Messiah. Less common than its masculine counterpart or the variant Emmanuelle, Emmanuela maintains a graceful, sophisticated quality with international appeal. While relatively rare in English-speaking countries, it has more presence in Latin and Mediterranean communities. The name offers several friendly nicknames including Emma, Ella, Manu, or Manuela, giving its bearer versatility throughout life. Emmanuela combines classical dignity with a melodic quality that makes it both distinctive and timeless.

Emmanuela

Kassiani, also spelled Kasiani or Cassiane, is an ancient Greek name best known as the name of a saint famous as a hymnographer. The Hymn of Kassiani, traditionally sung on Tuesday of Easter Week in the Greek Orthodox Church, is associated with fallen women. The 9th century saint Kassiani 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., Kassiani 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.

Kassiani

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 for <a href="https://nameberry.com/list/433/goddess-baby-names">goddess names</a>, we may see more little Aphrodites in the playground with Jupiter and Juno. Nineteen baby girls received the name in the US last year.
 Aphrodite was celebrated by Sappho, the greatest female poet of ancient Greece, in her Ode to Aphrodite.

Aphrodite

Mythical wonderland makes strong, evocative first name. 

Atlantis

Dionne is an Americanized version of the Greek Dione, with many sub-versions of its own, identified with singer Dionne Warwick. It was also the surname of the Canadian quintuplets born in 1934, who gained worldwide fame as the first kown quints to survive to adulthood.
 In Greek mythology, spelled Dione, she was the wife of Zeus and mother of Aphrodite.

Dionne

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 12)

Greek Girl Names